Serra da Estrela: The white mountain of Portugal

Today we recommend you visit the highest point of mainland Portugal At 1993 meters of altitude we find the Serra da Estrela, the only spot where you will find enough snow for skiing and other activities in the cold.

About a three-and-a-half hour drive from Lisbon (294 kilometres on the A1 and A23 motorways) and just over two and a half hours from Oporto (193 km on the A1 and A25 motorways) you will reach Portugal's most famous white mountain, located in the Guarda District, in Unhais da Serra.

Regardless of the time of year in which you travel, it is worth visiting the Serra da Estrela and its Natural Park, the largest protected area on Portuguese soil. The whole region, as well as its municipalities, offer an extraordinary natural beauty and amazing landscapes, with an enormous tourist, anthropological and historical interest.

However, if you are looking for a cooler trip and a "white" landscape, either with family or friends, this is the best time to visit a Serra da Estrela full of snow. Rent your car at one of our counters, get dressed up and go on an adventure!

There are several ways to reach the Torre, the highest point of the mountain. The ascent through the Ceifa region will allow you to stop at the village of Sabugueiro, considered the Portuguese village at the highest altitude. Take the opportunity to try the famous cheese Queijo da Serra (considered one of the best cheeses in the world), but make sure the road is open. In times of heavy snowfall and dense fog, traffic is cut off. When you get to the top of the mountain, you know what you can do: play in the snow or ski, depending on personal skills. You can also ride the cable car and visit the small shopping center, full of traditional crafts and delicacies of the region.

On your return, take the opportunity to visit the nearest towns and villages, such as Covilhã, Manteigas, Guarda, Fundão, Castelo Branco and Seia. In the surrounding area, you can also get to know: Loriga, known as the "Portuguese Switzerland" for its extraordinary landscape and geographical location; Covão da Ametade, located at the beginning of the Zêzere Glacier Valley; Linhares da Beira, a medieval village from the 12th century; the Hell's Well, located in the heart of the mountain range at 1080 meters of altitude, and the Bread Museum, located in Seia, in the Quinta Fonte do Marrão.

We are sure that this trip will be unforgettable, not only for the beauty of the Serra da Estrela, but also for everything you can see around the mountain. Portugal is, without a doubt, an extraordinary holiday destination, and it has so much diversity that you will have to return to the country several times to see everything worth visiting.