This is the coldest village in Portugal, with historic records of -15ºC

Portugal is widely known for its Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild winters. However, not all regions of the country follow this climatic pattern. There are places where temperatures can drop to surprisingly low levels, challenging the common perception of Portugal’s weather.

With this in mind, curiosity arises about which village is the coldest in Portugal. This is a place in one of the coldest areas of the Iberian Peninsula, defying typical climate expectations. Find out which one it is.

What is the coldest place in Portugal?

Gralheira, located in the Montemuro Mountain Range in the municipality of Cinfães, Viseu district, is recognised as one of the coldest villages in Portugal. Situated at approximately 1,130 metres above sea level, it is considered the third-highest village in the country. This elevation significantly contributes to its low temperatures, especially during winter.

Winters in Gralheira are extremely harsh, often covering the parish in a blanket of snow and making access difficult. Recorded average temperatures in January include a minimum of -3.0°C and a maximum of 7.3°C, with a wind chill of -7.0ºC. These climatic conditions make Gralheira even colder than Guarda, the highest city in Portugal.

What to see and do in Gralheira

Vitor Oliveira CC BY-SA 2.0 Creative commons

Gralheira, known as the coldest village in Portugal, offers visitors a unique experience that combines the natural beauty of the Montemuro Mountain Range with the authenticity of Portuguese rural life. Despite its modest size, this village has several attractions worth exploring. Here are some must-see places in Gralheira:

• Gralheira Interpretative Centre – Casa do Ribeirinho: This space serves as both a museum and a venue for cultural activities, showcasing traditions such as maize cultivation, homemade smoked meats, bread-making, and local crafts. It also organises guided tours for groups.
• Local Gastronomy: Gralheira is famous for its mountain cuisine. Local restaurants serve traditional dishes such as wood-fired roast kid and veal, cozido à portuguesa, arroz de salpicão, and pizzas à lavrador, making it a gastronomic reference in the region.
• Gralheira and Panchorra Bridge Trail: For hiking enthusiasts, this 7.5 km circular walking route offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, providing an immersive experience in the nature of the Montemuro Mountain Range.

Reasons to live in Gralheira

During winter, the residents of this mountain village face challenging weather conditions, with temperatures dropping as low as -15°C. The schist houses, with their thick walls and cosy fireplaces, serve as warm refuges against the intense cold. Snow is a frequent presence, turning the landscape into a postcard-worthy scene but also requiring constant adaptation, from taking extra care when travelling to storing food and firewood for the harshest periods.

The village’s roughly 100 inhabitants keep centuries-old traditions alive, such as homemade smoked meat production, artisan bread-making, and typical handicrafts, reflecting a deep respect for their cultural heritage.

• Property for sale in Gralheira
• Holiday homes in Gralheira

Luis Fonseca, CC BY 2.0 Creative commons

During summer, Portugal’s higher-altitude regions tend to record the lowest temperatures. The Serra da Estrela, particularly around Torre, the highest point in mainland Portugal, is known for maintaining cooler temperatures during the summer months. Its high altitude and geographic location contribute to a milder climate, even when the rest of the country experiences intense heat.

Besides Serra da Estrela, other mountainous areas such as the Serra do Gerês and Serra de Montesinho also have lower summer temperatures. These regions, characterised by lush landscapes and low population density, offer cool retreats during the hottest months, making them popular destinations for those looking to escape the typical Portuguese summer heat.

What is the coldest city in the world?

Ilya Varlamov, CC BY-SA 4.0 Creative commons

If we expand our focus to the rest of the world, the title of the coldest city belongs to Oymyakon, located in the Sakha Republic (Yakutia), Russia. This place is famous for its extreme temperatures, which can drop as low as -50ºC in winter. Known as the Pole of Cold, it challenges its inhabitants with a harsh climate that few could endure.

The reason for this intense cold is its location in a valley surrounded by mountains, which traps cold air and prevents it from dissipating. Some curious phenomena occur in these extreme conditions, such as ink freezing inside pens, cars needing to stay running constantly to avoid becoming unusable, and people being unable to wear metal-framed glasses outdoors as they could stick to their skin. Perhaps the most astonishing of all is that even saliva can freeze before it reaches the ground.