Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
Portugal's largest natural conservation area, with Torre at 1,993 m, glacial valleys and a ski resort.
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Serra da Estrela Natural Park covers about 1,000 km² of Portugal's largest mountain range and is the country's largest natural conservation area. More than half the park lies above 700 m. Torre, at 1,993 m, is the highest peak in mainland Portugal and sits inside the park. The park is the source of the Mondego, Zêzere and Alva rivers. Glaciers from the Quaternary period shaped horseshoe valleys, smoothed rock and glacial lakes that you can reach on foot.
Vegetation changes with altitude, from distinct patches below about 900 m to black oak forest and high pastures where gentian grows. Most villages sit at the foot of the mountains and date to medieval times. Roman remains at Famalicão and Folgosinho mark an old road across the range. The local economy still rests on farming, sheep and goat herding, and Serra da Estrela cheese. Winter suits the ski resort inside the park, and summer suits walking.
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela in five
- Check the road status before driving to TorreTorre, the highest point of mainland Portugal at 1,993 m, sits on roads that can close in snow. Ask the nearest tourist office or check local notices before you set off in winter.
- Pack for a mountain climateManteigas lies at about 775 m and Penhas Douradas at about 1,300 m, so Torre is far colder than the valleys. Bring layers, a waterproof and sturdy shoes even in summer.
- Choose Manteigas, Seia or Covilhã as a baseManteigas has a valley setting, Seia has the road to the high plateau and Covilhã is the biggest town with the country's only ski area nearby. Pick by what you want to do.
- Walk the glacial valleys in good weatherThe Covilhã council highlights valleys shaped by ice about 20,000 years ago. Mist and rain change fast on the plateau, so start early and carry a map or offline route.
- Add Coimbra on the way from Porto or LisbonCoimbra is a natural stop on the road between the coast and the serra, so a loop by car works well for a long weekend.Coimbra travel guide
Things to do in Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
See all attractions in Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
Need to know
- Airport
- Porto (OPO) or Lisbon (LIS), both several hours by road
- Getting there
- Car via the A23 or from Coimbra; limited public transport
- Getting around
- A car; some villages are walkable once there
- Best base
- Manteigas, Seia or Covilhã, depending on the activity
- Time needed
- A long weekend; a week for several trails
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh11°Low3°Snow, road closuresJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, road closures
- FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh13°Low4°Snow, skiFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 85 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, ski
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low4°Late snowMarchPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 146 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Late snow
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh17°Low7°Cool, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 113 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, green
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh22°Low10°Mild, wildflowersMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wildflowers
- JuneClear6 rainy daysHigh26°Low13°Warm, hikingJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 39 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low16°Hot, dryJulyClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 6 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh32°Low17°Hot, fire riskAugustClear
Good
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, fire risk
- SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh26°Low14°Warm, hikingSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, hiking
- OctoberRain11 rainy daysHigh21°Low11°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 155 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain12 rainy daysHigh14°Low6°Cool, first snowNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 149 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, first snow
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cold, snowDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 136 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
Average daily high and low in Manteigas, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
14
- Feels like
- 10°
- Humidity
- 32%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
08:48 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today13°7°0%Monday: Cloudy. High 13°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue10°3°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 10°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed7°2°0%Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High 7°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu8°2°6%Thursday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Fri8°3°53%Friday: Rain. High 8°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Sat9°7°68%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 9°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 68%.
- Sun10°7°96%Sunday: Rain. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 05:49 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Before you go to Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
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Rules for Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela, checked
- Manteigas council: Torre, shared with Seia and Covilhã, is the highest point of mainland Portugal at 1,993 m; Manteigas sits at about 775 m.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- Covilhã council describes Torre as the place for snow and the country's only ski resort, reached by winding mountain roads.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
University city on the road to the serra
Read the guideViseu travel guideA Dão city with a national museum
Read the guidePorto travel guideThe nearest big airport and city
Read the guideCar and rail in PortugalWhen a car is the only way in
Read the guideThe Beiras travel guideThe central region the range belongs to
Read the guideAll of PortugalCities, coast and entry rules
Read the guideParque Natural da Serra da Estrela FAQ
How high is the Serra da Estrela?
Torre, shared by the municipalities of Manteigas, Seia and Covilhã, is the highest point of mainland Portugal at 1,993 m. The nearby town of Manteigas sits at about 775 m, according to its council.
Does it snow in the Serra da Estrela?
Yes, in winter, and access to Torre can be cut when it does. Check road status and local notices before you drive, and carry chains or winter tires if conditions are uncertain.
Is the Serra da Estrela worth visiting in summer?
Yes for cooler air, walking and views, though July and August are dry and carry fire risk. Start hikes early and check local warnings.
Where should you stay in the Serra da Estrela?
Manteigas for a valley base and trail access, Seia for the road to the plateau, and Covilhã for services and the ski area. Each is a separate base, so choose by activity.
Can you visit the Serra da Estrela without a car?
It is difficult. Public transport reaches the main towns, but the plateau, trailheads and viewpoints need a car or a tour.