Holiday in Serra da Estrela

About Serra da Estrela

The Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain range on the Portuguese mainland and with Torre (1,993 meters) the highest point of the continental land. The nature park covers 1,000 square kilometers and offers a surprisingly alpine landscape in the middle of Portugal: glacial lakes, granite wilderness, cave rivers, and even a modest ski slope in winter — the only ski resort in the country. The Vale Glaciar do Zêzere is the most impressive glacial valley on the Iberian Peninsula: a seven-kilometer long, U-shaped trough formed by ice masses from the last ice age 20,000 years ago. The Lagoa Comprida and the Covão dos Conchos (an artificial waterfall that seems to disappear into a lake) are other spectacular natural wonders. In spring, the heights bloom in yellow and purple as the endemic broom and high-altitude lavender awaken. The Serra da Estrela is also home to the cheese of the same name — Portugal's most famous cheese, a creamy sheep's cheese made with thistle instead of rennet and considered a delicacy. The Cão da Serra da Estrela, one of the oldest dog breeds in Europe, has been bred here for centuries as a shepherd dog. The granite villages of Manteigas, Seia, and Covilhã offer accommodations and are starting points for hikes. The Serra is perfect for nature lovers seeking a Portugal away from the beach and sea.