Serra da Estrela, Portugal

Serra da Estrela

Portugal's highest mountains, with glacial valleys and shepherd villages.

  • All year
  • Best by car
  • 1 night
Explore on the map
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Things to do

2 days in Serra da Estrela

Day 1

  1. MorningDrive up to Torre, at 1,993 metres the highest point of mainland Portugal.
  2. AfternoonWalk in the U-shaped Zêzere glacial valley and see the Covão d'Ametade.
  3. EveningStay in Manteigas, a mountain town with thermal springs.

Day 2

Visit the stone shepherd village of Linhares da Beira, or the Poço do Inferno waterfall.

What to eat

Serra da Estrela cheese, so soft it's eaten with a spoon.

Local tips

Make the most of Serra da Estrela

Beat the crowds

Snowy winter weekends are busy at the top. Summer weekdays are very calm.

Best photo spot

The U-shaped glacial valley of the Zêzere from the viewpoints on the road to Manteigas.

Getting there

Easiest by car. Buses run from Covilhã and Guarda to the nearby towns.

Don't miss nearby

Manteigas and the shepherd villages on the mountain slopes.

Good to know

Try Serra da Estrela cheese, a soft, runny sheep's cheese. The road to Torre, the highest point, can close in snow.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Serra da Estrela

Our most hidden places around Serra da Estrela: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Serra da Estrela to take with you.

54 km away
88 km away
98 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Serra da Estrela

Getting there

  • Viseu Airport (VSE)45 km away
  • Porto Airport (OPO)135 km away
  • Coimbra75 km away
  • Porto125 km away

A car is the easiest way to get here and to see the area around it. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeNature spot
Good forNature, Food
Getting thereBest by car
Stay1 night
CountryPortugal

Questions

Serra da Estrela: good to know

Is Serra da Estrela worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature and food. Portugal's highest mountains, with glacial valleys and shepherd villages.

How many days do you need in Serra da Estrela?

Plan 1 night. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Serra da Estrela?

You can visit all year. Snowy winter weekends are busy at the top. Summer weekdays are very calm.

How do you get to Serra da Estrela?

The nearest airport is Viseu Airport (VSE), about 45 km away. Easiest by car. Buses run from Covilhã and Guarda to the nearby towns.

What is there to see near Serra da Estrela?

Nearby hidden places include Coimbra (77 km), Tomar (116 km) and Porto (125 km).

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