Serra da Estrela and the Central Region

The centre of Mainland Portugal and the Serra da Estrela region offer a balanced view of Portugal’s finest qualities. It is a relatively small area, but has a lot to offer. Don’t miss the chance to discover this place without renting a vehicle with Virtual rent-a-car.

This zone is also referred to as Beiras, and located between the Tejo River and the Douro River. It is a vast expanse of land, stretching from the border to the sea. Portugal’s highest mountain, Serra da Estrela, is located in the centre of the country. The mountain is a popular destination due to snowfall nearly every winter and spring.

There is a lot to visit in the Beira Alta, Beira Baixa and Litoral provinces, which make up the centre of Mainland Portugal. Make the most of the beautiful scenery and the historical castles that form part of the region’s heritage and the old seaside resorts.

Places to visit:

The Portuguese central region is a historic place with traditional villages. It is home to the University of Coimbra, regarded as one of the oldest medieval universities in Europe.

Don’t forget to visit Conímbriga, located in Condeixa-a-Nova, one of the region’s finest discoveries, and the city of Almeida, famous due to its impressive military architecture and its design in the form of a twelve-pointed star.

Visit the Buçaco region, home to the finest viewpoint in the area, located north of Coimbra and considered the highest point, called Cruz Alta. You will also be charmed by this must-visit place’s heritage.

Don’t miss the wonderful view of Monsanto. Its rocky peak is the highlight of this area’s marvellous scenery. This area offers traditional crafts, stunning views of beautiful local landscapes, a castle at the top of the mountain, and you’ll also come across a small medieval village.

Serra da Estrela is a must. As Portugal’s highest mountain, it has a number of places you can visit for stunning scenery, with the highlight being the Poço do Inferno waterfall.

We also recommend visiting some of the region’s historical villages, such as Idanha-a-Velha and Piódão, with very traditional houses, and don’t miss the Fraga da Pena region, beautiful due to its rocky scenery and vegetation, not often visited, and superb for nature lovers.