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    Serra da Estrela Natural Park

    Portugal

    Serra da Estrela Natural Park

    National Park

    The Serra da Estrela Natural Park is Portugal's largest protected area. It encompasses the mainland's highest mountain range, featuring glacial valleys, mountain lakes, granite cliffs, and barren plateaus.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
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    5. Portugal
    7. Beiras and Serra da Estrela
    9. Serra da Estrela Natural Park
    The Serra da Estrela Natural Park is Portugal's largest protected area. It encompasses the mainland's highest mountain range, featuring glacial valleys, mountain lakes, granite cliffs, and barren plateaus. Since 2020, the Serra has also been a UNESCO Global Geopark.

    Points of Interest

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Pedra do Cão

    1Pedra do Cão

    Striking granite rock above Cortes do Meio, on the slope between Covilhã and Penhas da Saúde. Beautiful view over the Cova da Beira.
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    Miradouro Covões e Barrocão de João Domingos

    2Miradouro Covões e Barrocão de João Domingos

    Viewpoint on the N338 with views into the upper Zêzere Valley and of the surrounding rock formations. A good photo stop on the drive to Manteigas.
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    Ship of Saint Anthony

    3Ship of Saint Anthony

    Wide, flat high plateau along the road between Penhas da Saúde and Manteigas. Early summer sees blooming meadows, often grazed by sheep and cows.
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    Miradouro dos Piornos

    4Miradouro dos Piornos

    Viewpoint on the road from Covilhã to Torre. On a clear day, you can see far across the Cova da Beira.
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    Poço da Cascata

    5Poço da Cascata

    Small waterfall with a pool near Cortes do Meio. It carries the most water after rain and in spring.
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    6Ski Resort Serra da Estrela

    Portugal's only ski resort is located on the slopes of Torre. It is small, and snow conditions vary greatly, but in good winters, it's enough for a few runs or sledding.
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    Dining & Drinks

    1

    Varanda da Estrela

    Café in R. Nave da Areia 5.
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    2

    Casa do Clube

    Restaurant in R. dos Castros.
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    3

    Restaurante Berne

    Restaurant in Estr. da Lapa.
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    4

    Restaurante Steakhouse Alfátima

    Restaurant in Estr. da Lapa.
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    5

    Primor Serra

    Restaurant in N 339.
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    6

    Zé da Montanha

    Restaurant in N 339.
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    7

    Taberna das Caldas

    Restaurant in N 338.
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    Traveling

    Without a car, you'll hardly get around; public buses to the higher altitudes are practically non-existent. In winter, mountain passes are closed due to snow; check road conditions before you travel. The hiking trails are marked; maps are available at the info centers in Manteigas and Seia.

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    Campgrounds in Serra da Estrela Natural Park

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    Nearby

    Beiras and Serra da Estrela

    Beiras and Serra da Estrela

    The Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range on the Portuguese mainland. Granite, glacial valleys, mountain lakes, and sheep pastures define the landscape, surrounded by granite cities like Guarda, Covilhã, and Belmonte.
    Covilhã

    Covilhã

    Covilhã, on Serra da Estrela's eastern slope, was for centuries Portugal's wool town. Today, the Universidade da Beira Interior, old factories, and much street art shape the image. From here, you quickly reach the Torre.
    Belmonte

    Belmonte

    Belmonte is a small village on a hill in the Beira Interior, east of the Serra da Estrela. Pedro Álvares Cabral, who in 1500 became the first European to reach Brazil, was born here. Belmonte is also known for its Jewish community: descendants of forcibly baptised Jews secretly preserved their customs here for centuries and only openly professed their faith again in the 20th century.
    Guarda

    Guarda

    Guarda lies at just over 1,000 m and is Portugal's highest city. King Sancho I founded it in 1199 as a bulwark against Castile. Today it is a quiet granite city with an imposing cathedral, remains of the city wall, and clear, often cold air.
    Monsanto

    Monsanto

    Monsanto clings to a granite mountain over the Beira Baixa plain. Houses are built between, under and on huge boulders; a castle ruin sits atop. In 1938 it was named "Portugal's Most Portuguese Village." Today it's part of the Aldeias Históricas.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI