Top choice in Parque Natural da Serra da Estrela
Close to Seia's services but feeling a million miles away, this cluster of traditional granite cottages sits in a secluded hamlet above town. The six rustic houses are all snug and well set up for the chill mountain air, with kitchens and stone fireplaces (firewood included). A delicious breakfast with home-baked bread is provided. There’s normally a two-night minimum stay.
From Seia, climb the Sabugueiro road for about 5km, then turn left 1km to Póvoa Velha. Call ahead.
24.63 MILES
The entrance to the fortified village is a grand Gothic gate. From the square inside, a cobbled lane leads up to the heart of the village, with a…
21.04 MILES
Adjoining the cathedral, the granite Paço de Três Escalões (Palace of Three Steps) was originally built as the bishop’s palace. It's now a splendid museum…
21.02 MILES
Viseu’s cathedral is a striking hybrid of architectural styles. Originally built in the 13th century, it now has a 17th-century Mannerist facade and a…
17.17 MILES
Reason enough for a visit to Belmonte, this fabulous museum is dedicated to Portuguese seafaring and the discovery of Brazil by local-born explorer Pedro…
29.96 MILES
Trancoso's walled centre is a charming maze of picturesque squares, attractive churches and narrow cobbled lanes. Several medieval gates puncture the…
22.63 MILES
A handsome quarter of cobblestone lanes and huddled houses, Guarda's hilltop centre fans out from Praça Luís de Camões. This sloping square is flanked by…
6.86 MILES
The burel factory originally opened in 1960 and employed 1000 people at its height (burel is a wool fabric similar to felt). After a decline in the…
12.83 MILES
Covilhã used to be the centre of one of Europe’s biggest wool-producing regions, but stray outside the centre and you’ll see the town’s ghostly mills…
1.48 MILES
This popular museum, set in a huge complex with mill wheels, a restaurant and rustic buildings, celebrates the history of traditional bread making. The…
1.84 MILES
This museum, housed in a lovely converted mansion, traces the history of Portuguese toys, from the Victorian to the contemporary, providing an interesting…
3. Centro de Interpretacão da Serra da Estrela
2.28 MILES
In a park to the west of the town centre, this centre provides an excellent introduction to the Serra da Estrela region. A nine-minute film in English or…
4. Museu Municipal de Arte Moderna Abel Manta
6.51 MILES
This fascinating modern-art museum pays homage to Abel Manta, a (controversial) Portuguese modernist painter, who was born in Gouveia in 1888. Around 23…
5. Museu da Miniatura Automóvel
6.67 MILES
Here's the deal: revheads (big kids and small) and keen collectors will love this, others might think 'meh'. Over 3000 miniature vehicles are on display…
6.86 MILES
The burel factory originally opened in 1960 and employed 1000 people at its height (burel is a wool fabric similar to felt). After a decline in the…
8.56 MILES
This waterfall, which descends the steep gorge of Ribeira de Lenadres, is a magnificent spectacle, particularly in spring. To get there from Manteigas,…
8. Ponte Pedonal Penedos Altos
12.64 MILES
This striking footbridge spans the valley east of the old town, connecting the centre with the town's outer suburbs. Zigzagging over the valley floor, the…