Natural parks in Portugal

Portugal is much more than popular beaches and historic cities.

If you ever hear someone say Portugal doesn’t have a proper national park, they’ve simply not made it up to Gerês.

The Serra da Estrela mountain range is the highest point in mainland Portugal and one of the country's most sought-after natural destinations. Every year, thousands of people visit to explore trails and search for snow in winter.But why is it called Serra da Estrela?

If you’re going to get to know Portugal properly, a road trip is still the best way to do it.

Portugal’s Atlantic archipelago, the Azores, has confirmed its official coastal bathing waters for the 2026 season.

The national animal of Portugal is not the rooster, as many believe, but a type of wolf that still roams parts of the country and carries real symbolic weight in rural Portugal.What is the national animal of Portugal?Why is the Iberian wolf the national animal of Portugal?Where does the Iberian wolf

Portugal doesn’t do national parks in the same way as Spain or Italy. Instead, most protected areas fall under the natural park label.

Autumn is one of the most magical times to discover Portugal’s natural beauty. As the warmth of summer fades and the air becomes crisp, Portugal’s forests transform into stunning landscapes of red, gold, and orange.

There are few areas in all of Portugal more beautiful than Pena National Park, and the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra.

Does Portugal have forests? The answer is most certainly yes, as Portugal is the 9th country in the European Union (EU) when it comes to area covered by forests: 36% of the land area in Portugal is home to forests to be precise, a figure slightly lower than the average for the region (38%).

Arrábida National Park in Potugal is located between the town of Sesimbra and the city of Setúbal, and less 40km from Lisbon. This breathtaking coastal national park is a favourite for those who enjoy mountain walks and hiking and provides a stunning panorama for tourists and locals alike.