Top 5 National Parks in Portugal You Should Visit
This is a guest post kindly contributed by Galyna Rogovska.
Alongside Portugal’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, natural treasures are found throughout its national parks. The Portuguese are rightfully proud of these parks, with their diverse flora, fauna, and spellbinding landscapes.
Today, I’ll take you through five must-see national parks in Portugal and their unique natural attractions. Discover their features and the best ways to enjoy recreation and adventure.
1. Peneda-Geres National Park
Just Go Exploring uses affiliate links. If you purchase something through them, I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. It's what allows me to produce free content for you. 😊 Learn more.
Peneda-Geres National Park is one of the best national parks in Portugal. It is overwhelmingly beautiful and rich in its variety of species.
The park is in the transition zone between the Mediterranean Sea and the European-Siberian region. Its ecosystem and way of life have remained unchanged since its foundation in 1971.
On the territory of this unique formation, with many endemic species, there are several ancient settlements with stone houses and even a well-kept medieval fort.
The park offers many scenic walking and cycling routes through mountains and forests for exploration. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature and an authentic ecosystem.
Peneda-Geres National Park prioritizes protecting nature. It safely preserves the endemic oak and Mediterranean pine forests in the Lima River valley on the slopes of the Peneda and Gerês mountain ranges.
Pristine woods and waterfalls blend perfectly with the natural landscape in the background.
Insider tip: The Lindoso reservoir holds the ruins of the ancient village of Vilarinho das Furnas at its bottom. When the water is low, you can see them with your own eyes.
Location: Terras de Bouro, Portugal
2. Parque Nacional Litoral Norte
This delightful location with panoramic views over the wild Atlantic in northwestern Portugal is a must-visit spot on the list of national parks in Portugal.
The natural park is a haven for various bird species. The dunes are an excellent buffer from the wind, providing an ideal nesting environment for them.
The secluded area is a natural paradise with a peaceful atmosphere and picturesque routes for walks, making it perfect to discover the hidden beauties of the national park.
Don’t miss the Pinhais de Ophir pine forest with unbelievably fresh air during your exploration. Then, take the park’s walking path along the banks of the picturesque Cavado River.
An interesting feature of local agriculture is using seaweed “sargasso” to fertilize fields. The process of collecting it has remained unchanged, and it is still one of the main occupations of the local male population.
Insider tip: Take the opportunity to see ancient Roman salt pans. This spot is perfect for birdwatching, so bring your binoculars and look out for the various species that live in the area.
Location: R. 1º de Dezembro n.65, 4740-226 Esposende, Portugal
3. Sintra-Cascais Natural Park
This park is the perfect spot for a beautiful holiday surrounded by untouched nature. The park contains many excellent beaches, crystal-clear rivers and lakes, forests, and many opportunities for walking and exploration.
You can get acquainted with the park’s nature by taking one of the exciting routes through the park and along the coast.
The park’s ocean coast has excellent infrastructure and recreation opportunities, offering all kinds of activities for both adventure seekers and those looking to relax.
Exploring the park through organized tours with guides is a popular option. The knowledgeable guides can provide information about endemic species and demonstrate their growth in natural surroundings.
There are also walking and cycling routes for those who prefer to explore independently.
In addition to natural treasures, the park also houses many cultural and architectural sites, such as the magical Pena Palace.
Insider tip: Don’t miss your chance to go on an unforgettable culinary journey. Try fresh seafood and homemade desserts at one of the excellent local restaurants.
Location: Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais, Portugal
4. Parque Nacional Serra da Estrela
Parque Nacional Serra da Estrela perfectly blends alpine vistas, endemic plants, animals, and historic landmarks. The natural reserve is on a high plateau, cut by valleys of rivers and streams such as the Zêzere and Mondego.
This unique natural formation is home to various wild animals, including deer, wild boar, and wolves. The area also boasts distinctive endemic plant species, adding to the park’s tranquillity.
The park contains the highest point in mainland Porgtugal. It’s great for people who prefer active outdoor activities surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery.
Hiking and winter sports are popular here, although the park does often experience heavy rainfall between October and March.
Insider tip: Take a guided tour to learn about the region’s rich history and discover historical sites, such as castles and fortresses from the Middle Ages.
Location: Seia-Covilha, Centro, Seia, Portugal
5. Parque Nacional Serras de Aire e Candeeiros
With its fantastic rock formations formed by the water’s influence and abundance of grottoes and caves, this wildlife sanctuary is a speleologist’s dream.
The Santo Antonio, Moeda, Alvados, and Mira d’Air caves are the most popular destinations for non-professional cavers and tourists, with various facilities to ensure a safe visit.
The landscape is relatively barren, with cracks and slopes, but is rich in diverse fauna. However, the region’s greatest treasures are underground.
The Gruta de Alvados cave system contains a magnificent network of stalactites and stalagmites.
One of the park’s most exciting aspects is its bat population. The park’s symbol is a bat, and it’s home to 18 species of these fantastic creatures. The park provides an ideal shelter for them in various caves.
Near the Maiori River, there is an active site for salt extraction, using technology that has been in use for over eight centuries.
On the eastern side of Serra de Aire, about 10 km from the spiritual centre of Fatima, we find a collection of the largest and oldest (175 million years) sauropod dinosaur tracks in the world.
The park area is protected, but for guests’ comfort, there are 16 hiking trails throughout the park.
Insider tip: Here you can see some of the largest and most distinct footprints known to man, 95 cm long and 70 cm wide. Glimpse the steps of the largest creatures ever to walk the planet.
Location: Parque Nacional Serras de Aire e Candeeiros, Portugal
Summarize
Portugal’s national parks are treasures, carefully protected and ready to be explored independently or with a guided tour. For those who love natural beauty, stunning landscapes, and breathtaking views, there’s no better place to visit.
Make time to visit at least one Portuguese national park. These parks offer diverse landscapes, rare flora, fauna, and bird species, providing a perfect opportunity to appreciate pristine nature. Each one would be a wonderful addition to any Portugal itinerary.
Other Posts About Visiting Portugal
Essential Travel Resources
🛏️ Book cheap hotels
I always use Booking.com to find the best hotel deals. Vrbo is great for short-term apartments.
🚗 Find cheap rental cars
Check both Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to find cheap rental cars.
🌍 Book the best tours
Viator and GetYourGuide have a huge selection of tours in virtually every destination worldwide.
✈️ Find cheap flights
I use a combination of Skyscanner and Google Flights to find cheap flights.
📱 eSIMs
Airalo is my favourite travel eSIM provider – I’ve used it in over 10 countries and really rate it. So much easier than buying physical SIM cards when you travel!
🚑 Do I need travel insurance?
YES! Never travel without adequate travel insurance. It’s just not worth the risk.
• SafetyWing – if you’re a digital nomad like me, SafetyWing is super flexible and affordable. You can sign up for as little or as long as you want, and activate and deactivate it whenever you need to. I’ve made several claims in the last few years and thoroughly recommend this company.
• World Nomads – for adventurous travellers, covers 200+ activities that many other insurers won’t, such as skydiving, heli-skiing, rock climbing, rafting, scuba diving, cliff jumping, and kiteboarding (not available for residents of every country – check here).
💻 Do I need a VPN?
YES! Always use a VPN when using public WiFi (in airports, cafes, hotels, stations, etc.). This helps protect your personal information and also bypasses internet censorship and restrictions in certain countries. I use NordVPN and highly recommend it.
