Serra da Estrela: what to see if the snow cuts off access to the Tower

There is no doubt. Serra da Estrela Cheese is one of the most sought after products in the region. It is made with milk from sheep raised in the mountains, and its characteristic flavor and smell are much appreciated. Depending on the maturation time, it can be buttery or semi-hard. Even if you can't get to the Tower, there are plenty of stores where you can try and buy it. With some “luck” you can even do it directly to the producers.

The Sabugueiro village, located at 1,100 meters above sea level, is known for being the highest in Portugal and is a crossing point for those traveling from the north towards Serra da Estrela. Its main street is full of restaurants and small establishments where regional products are highlighted with cheese being the star, but there is also lots of sausages, jams or bread. Even when snow falls abundantly, it is usually easy to get there.

Seia is one of the “gateways” to Serra da Estrela and has the Bread Museum as one of its biggest attractions. It is considered the largest set dedicated to this topic in the world and offers a historical and cultural contextualization of the importance that bread has in the diet. Children love the fact that they can get their hands in the dough and understand how bread is made. The Toy Museum, in this same city, is also very popular.

Regional gastronomy is another of Serra da Estrela's attractions and in the municipality of Gouveia, in the picturesque village of Folgosinho, there is a restaurant that attracts diners from different regions. There are menus starting at 20.50 euros that include three starters, four courses and three desserts. There is Rabbit "Cabidela" Rice, Wild Boar with Beans, Oven-Roasted Lamb or Folgosinho Piglet. To help with digestion, we suggest a climb up to the Castle.

Located in the “heart” of Serra da Estrela, Manteigas has some of the most beautiful natural treasures in the area. Starting with Covão d’Ametade, one of the most photogenic points in this region where Nature was so generous. This ancient glacial lagoon is surrounded by a scene of great beauty, where vegetation and granite mix with the water. Don't miss the Zêzere Glacier Valley, one of the largest in Europe, and Poço do Inferno, a natural waterfall with a 10-meter waterfall.

In the same municipality, Penhas Douradas is one of the coldest regions in Portugal and, therefore, it often snows there in winter. At around 1,300 meters above sea level, it offers a fabulous view of the surrounding area in a landscape filled with large granite blocks. It has a Meteorological Observatory, which is of great importance in predicting the mountain's climate, and, due to the pure and fresh air, it has already been cataloged as the healthiest place in the country.

For those coming from the south heading to Serra da Estrela, the most natural “gateway” is Covilhã and halfway to Torre, Penhas da Saúde appears, one of the most characteristic mountain villages in the area. Located at 1,500 meters above sea level, it provides a superb panoramic view of the surroundings. You can find several chalets that add special color in winter, it's usually easy to get there and there are those who take the opportunity to play in the snow there.

Located at the H2otel Congress & Medical SPA, at 750 meters above sea level, the Unhais da Serra Thermal Baths are a great alternative for those who want to spend a few days of relaxing holidays and are an option to consider if you are unable to reach the top of Serra da Estrela. The Spas are recommended for the treatment of pathologies related to the respiratory tract, but they also focus heavily on leisure and well-being, in what is the first Mountain SPA in the country and one of the largest in Europe.

Belmonte is another location worth a visit in this region. The town is known for being the “home” of one of the few Jewish communities that remain active in Portugal and you can still find Jewish traders in some stores. The Jewish Museum attracts thousands of visitors every year, just like the interactive Museum of Discoveries, whose inspiration comes from the fact that Pedro Álvares Cabral, the discoverer of Brazil, was born there. Another visiting point is the Castle.

Here is a more “bold” proposal that, preferably, requires some physical preparation. The Mondego Walkways are the most recent tourist attraction in the municipality of Guarda. They are located 15 minutes from the city, the capital of the district closest to Serra da Estrela, and have a magnificent view of a beautiful landscape in an area within the Natural Park. The route is 12 kilometers long, seven of which are made of wooden walkways and is mostly along the Mondego River, ending at the Caldeirão Dam.