Jocelyn’s guidebook
City/town information
This mountain town is only a few kilometers from the highest point in mainland Portugal. People come in winter for one of Portugal’s only ski resorts, and in summer to marvel at the granite peaks, lakes and hike in the forest.
In Covilhã it’s fun to see how the town has adapted to its impossible terrain to help you get around on foot, equipping it with a panoramic elevator, funicular trains, and the incredible Ponte da Ribeira da Carpinteria pedestrian bridge.
It’s a town anchored in tradition, and there’s a first-rate museum documenting the wool industry, which supported Covilhã for almost 300 years up to the 1900s.
21 locals recommend
COVILHA
This mountain town is only a few kilometers from the highest point in mainland Portugal. People come in winter for one of Portugal’s only ski resorts, and in summer to marvel at the granite peaks, lakes and hike in the forest.
In Covilhã it’s fun to see how the town has adapted to its impossible terrain to help you get around on foot, equipping it with a panoramic elevator, funicular trains, and the incredible Ponte da Ribeira da Carpinteria pedestrian bridge.
It’s a town anchored in tradition, and there’s a first-rate museum documenting the wool industry, which supported Covilhã for almost 300 years up to the 1900s.
A historical village that has never actually played a major part in the History of Portugal, Piódão has become famous more recently because of its scenographic setting in the heart of the Serra do Açor. Such beauty is more than a sufficient reason for visiting the village.
42 locals recommend
Piódão
A historical village that has never actually played a major part in the History of Portugal, Piódão has become famous more recently because of its scenographic setting in the heart of the Serra do Açor. Such beauty is more than a sufficient reason for visiting the village.
The Portuguese countryside is full of charming historic villages and Monsanto is particularly special.
Monsanto, a former civil parish in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova in the interior region of the country, was once voted “the most Portuguese village in Portugal” and still holds the title, however, it’s so much more than just that. The village is unique, with a rich history as one of twelve official “Historic Villages of Portugal” and stands out for its impressive boulders which the village is effectively built around. This wonderful sight can be fully appreciated by taking a relaxing wander through the cobbled streets where you’ll find tiny shops and restaurants, a great place to get to know the locals.
Although it is small, Monsanto is full of activities from historic churches to hiking. The village towers above the surrounding countryside, something that is best appreciated by climbing the shepherds’ paths to an abandoned castle at the top of the hill and here, the best of the views can be enjoyed. The village is ideal for walkers who are looking for peace and quiet, as the isolated village offers a large network of hiking trails in the surrounding area, including a boulder trail where the best of the unique rock formations can be seen. Other must-see things in the village include the local church, Igreja Matriz de São Salvador Igreja, and Capela de São Miguel or Saint Michael’s Chapel.
34 locals recommend
Monsanto
The Portuguese countryside is full of charming historic villages and Monsanto is particularly special.
Monsanto, a former civil parish in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova in the interior region of the country, was once voted “the most Portuguese village in Portugal” and still holds the title, however, it’s so much more than just that. The village is unique, with a rich history as one of twelve official “Historic Villages of Portugal” and stands out for its impressive boulders which the village is effectively built around. This wonderful sight can be fully appreciated by taking a relaxing wander through the cobbled streets where you’ll find tiny shops and restaurants, a great place to get to know the locals.
Although it is small, Monsanto is full of activities from historic churches to hiking. The village towers above the surrounding countryside, something that is best appreciated by climbing the shepherds’ paths to an abandoned castle at the top of the hill and here, the best of the views can be enjoyed. The village is ideal for walkers who are looking for peace and quiet, as the isolated village offers a large network of hiking trails in the surrounding area, including a boulder trail where the best of the unique rock formations can be seen. Other must-see things in the village include the local church, Igreja Matriz de São Salvador Igreja, and Capela de São Miguel or Saint Michael’s Chapel.
Food scene
Hold your nose and learn the full story of cheese-making in Serra da Estrela. This cheese museum – Museu do Queijo – is located in the small village of Pêraboa. The museum’s guide, Pedro, will share funny and fascinating yarns about the docile sheep and witty shepherds who have lived in these mountains for centuries while you try samples of what is known as the king of Portuguese cheese. Made from raw sheep’s milk, it is soft with a rich, intense flavour.
7 locals recommend
Cheese Museum
Hold your nose and learn the full story of cheese-making in Serra da Estrela. This cheese museum – Museu do Queijo – is located in the small village of Pêraboa. The museum’s guide, Pedro, will share funny and fascinating yarns about the docile sheep and witty shepherds who have lived in these mountains for centuries while you try samples of what is known as the king of Portuguese cheese. Made from raw sheep’s milk, it is soft with a rich, intense flavour.
Sightseeing
At the centre of Serra da Estrela, rising above a wild, boulder-strewn plateau is Torre, mainland Portugal’s highest peak at 1993m (6539ft) and home to its only ski resort. Torre literally means Tower and it gets its name from a tower built here in the 19th century to extend the mountain to 2000m (6562ft). The views are spectacular and on a bright day, you can see the Atlantic Ocean over 100mi (161km) in the distance.
38 locals recommend
Torre
At the centre of Serra da Estrela, rising above a wild, boulder-strewn plateau is Torre, mainland Portugal’s highest peak at 1993m (6539ft) and home to its only ski resort. Torre literally means Tower and it gets its name from a tower built here in the 19th century to extend the mountain to 2000m (6562ft). The views are spectacular and on a bright day, you can see the Atlantic Ocean over 100mi (161km) in the distance.
One of the most amazing sights in the Serra da Estrela is without a doubt a waterfall-like hole in the middle of a lake. Although it looks like a mysterious natural phenomenon, this hole was created in the 1950s to direct water from the Ribeira das Naves to Lagoa Comprida. While it is possible to visit this spot on foot, the hike isn’t for beginners and becomes more difficult during the winter months, so visitors are cautioned to do their research first and be careful.
20 locals recommend
Covao Dos Conchos
One of the most amazing sights in the Serra da Estrela is without a doubt a waterfall-like hole in the middle of a lake. Although it looks like a mysterious natural phenomenon, this hole was created in the 1950s to direct water from the Ribeira das Naves to Lagoa Comprida. While it is possible to visit this spot on foot, the hike isn’t for beginners and becomes more difficult during the winter months, so visitors are cautioned to do their research first and be careful.
The Gardunha mountain range, so called by the Moors, is located in central Portugal, in Centro Region, beyond the Serra da Estrela range, giving way to an extensive plain called Beira Baixa Province. It was covered with vineyards in the time of King Denis, who reigned in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Gardunha, 6230, Portugal
The Gardunha mountain range, so called by the Moors, is located in central Portugal, in Centro Region, beyond the Serra da Estrela range, giving way to an extensive plain called Beira Baixa Province. It was covered with vineyards in the time of King Denis, who reigned in the 13th and 14th centuries.