Top 10 National Parks to Visit in Portugal

Portugal's national parks are its pride. When creating the parks, preserving the rich flora and fauna was the priority. If you love nature, you will love the cute animals roaming freely throughout the reserves.

Parque Nacional Serra da Estrela

Serra da Estrela is one of the most visited national parks. The landscape changes from deciduous forests to coniferous ones, and closer to the top, there are solid meadows. 

 

For seven thousand years, shepherds have grazed their cattle on the slopes and valleys of the Serra da Estrela. In winter, they descended to the valleys of the Mondego River with megaliths and dolmens, such as the Dolmen da Orca.

 

The Portuguese bring children here to show them what snow is. Have fun at the ice skating rinks and take your first skiing lesson.

 

Travel Hack: At the very top of the park is a point called Torre. Come here for unforgettable views, but remember wearing comfortable shoes.

 

Location: Seia-Covilha, Centro, Seia, Portugal

Douro International Natural Park

The Douro International Natural Park is one of Portugal's most beautiful places. Because of its stunning scenery, it is also known as the Valley of Miracles or the Pearl of the North.

 

The Douro River originates in Spain and flows at the foot of the relief hills on which vineyards grow. This is the oldest wine region in Portugal.

 

The park is an object of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name Douro comes from the river that flows through the area and plays a vital role in shaping the landscape.

 

The walking routes throughout the park allow visitors to enjoy the views and various animals and plants. Several villages in Douro Park have maintained their authenticity and traditions.

 

Travel Hack: You can come for one day and stay overnight. Charming accommodation options are available in small villages like Miranda do Douro.

 

Location: Parque Natural do Douro Internacional, Portugal

Natural Park of Montesinho

The Montesinho Natural Park is one of the must-see holiday destinations in Portugal. In the Serra de Montechino mountains, approximately 120 rare animal species live.

 

The park's main attraction is its pristine nature. It perfectly combines breathtaking scenery with mountain lakes and rivers, surrounded by dense greenery and beautiful landscapes. Many plants are endemic and grow in optimal conditions.

 

Since the park is open to tourists, visitors can expect to have a wonderful time here as everything is equipped for them. You can spend time actively hiking, canoeing, and kayaking. In addition, you can take a guide and see the local attractions, walk along one of the hiking trails and enjoy the views yourself, or have a picnic.

 

Travel hack: Here, you will find the Vinhais Zoological and Botanical Park, where you can interact with some animals or even spend the night in a unique capsule with a natural background.

 

Location: Paramio, Portugal

Parque Natural do Litoral Norte

This national park is one of the most beautiful in Portugal, between Camia and Estoril. It has rich flora and fauna with endemic plants and animals, breathtaking views, and pristine beaches, surrounded by picturesque cliffs and crystal-clear water. 

 

During the warm season, you can swim, relax on the beach, do water sports, or go hiking along the coast. The opportunities for active recreation are practically unlimited, and there are many walking routes here. 

 

This is an excellent place for those who want to spend time actively while enjoying the views of nature. You can also go on a bike ride, go surfing, or spend time passively.

 

Travel Hack: To make your visit unique, visit the Moledo Beach dunes at sunrise for a serene and picturesque experience.

 

Location: R. 1º de Dezembro n.65, 4740-226 Esposende, Portugal

The Alvao Natural Park

The protected area, founded in 1983, is located in northern Portugal's Mondim de Basto and Vila Real municipalities. It extends over 70 square kilometers of mountainous land.

 

The park is divided into two zones: a mountainous area dotted with ravines, gorges, and valleys cut by birch, olive, and heather groves. The Olu River is its main artery, which feeds the natural site's landscape with small rivers and mountain streams.

 

Wolves, wild cats, and peregrine falcons are among its inhabitants, serving only as harbingers of delight for those who like the Iberian fauna. Nature lovers will also be able to observe golden eagles, an endangered species, in their natural habitat here.

 

Another striking feature in the park is the water cascades, the most famous of which are the Fisgas do Ermelo waterfalls. These waterfalls with crystal lagoons are among the highest in Europe. 

 

Travel Hack: Visit the park in Vila Real, where you will find one of the nature interpretation centers.

 

Location: Lamas de Olo, Portugal

Ria Formosa Natural Park

The Algarve's most famous natural attraction is the Ria Formosa Natural Park. It is a mixture of sandy beaches, islands, and lagoons along the coastline. The park was recently included in the list of Seven Wonders of Portugal.

 

The diversity of ecosystems in this place is responsible for many bird species. Only in this region can you see the Sultana bird, which has become the park's symbol. 

 

In the Ria Formosa Natural Park, you can observe the lives of many unique animals, ride an old boat, and enjoy the silence on uncrowded sandy beaches.

 

A unique center has been organized for tourists to purchase maps of walking routes and shelters to observe the reserve's inhabitants.

 

Travel Hack: Take a ferry to Barreta Island, or Ilha Deserta, to enjoy the tranquility and pristine nature.

 

Location: 8700-225 Faro, Portugal

Arrabida Natural Park

Arrabida National Park amazes with its beauty. High hills are covered with dense vegetation, and the ocean is nearby, so Arrabida has a unique climate that is often compared to the Mediterranean. 

 

If you climb to high points, you can see breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean from one side and the Sintra-Cascais area on the other. The pearl of this national park is the small bay, where the beach of the same name is also located. Many diving enthusiasts come here for an unforgettable experience.

 

Travel Hack: In the warm season, you can rent equipment and enjoy the beauty of the underwater world. There is also a tiny island where you can swim on boats.

 

Location: Parque Natural da Arrábida, Portugal

Peneda-Geres National Park

This national park is relatively small, which does not make it less picturesque. Its distinctive feature is that part of the territory is inhabited by several ancient settlements, where you can get acquainted with the life of the ancient inhabitants who left behind stone houses. 

 

There is also a tiny medieval port. There are several high points nearby, from which you can climb and enjoy the surrounding views. 

 

The park is shaped like an amphitheatre and surrounded by mountain ranges, creating a unique microclimate. Endemic plants have been preserved here, and many wild animals live here. At the same time, there are many walking routes, so everyone can enjoy the park's beauty by simply going on a tour.

 

Travel Hack: Spend a day exploring the Lindoso Megalithic Complex, a unique mix of ancient history and modern engineering.

 

Location: Terras de Bouro, Portugal

Sintra-Cascais Natural Park

Sintra-Cascais Park is a great place to enjoy Portugal's beauty fully. It has a mountain range with endemic plants and wild animals and access to paradise beaches.

 

The natural park covers an area of ​​145 m2 in general. Its landscapes include wild rocky cliffs and archaeological, historical, and architectural attractions. Due to its huge climatic and geological diversity, this region is characterized by unique plants and animals. 

 

Moreover, they are protected by the European organization. In addition to natural attractions, there are also architectural treasures under the protection of UNESCO.

 

Travel hack: Make your adventure in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park unforgettable by hiking to Praia da Ursa, a beautiful and secluded beach.

 

Location: Sintra-Cascais Natural Park

Parque Nacional Serras de Aire e Candeeiros

This national park is unique because you can enjoy nature here and see the ancient domains of salt mines and caves of the world. You can learn about ancient crafts and enjoy the beauty of the untouched nature of this region.

 

A dolmen has been converted into the Church of St. Mary Magdalene. This building is one of the most interesting in the region, and visitors can touch its secret and learn the history of its construction. 

 

The main natural treasure are many grottos and caves underground. All those who are not afraid can go down from the cave. Many underground halls have been opened for visitors, and a route has been laid through them. Here, you can enjoy the scale and mysterious nature of everything.

 

Travel hack: Take advantage of your opportunity to see the traces of dinosaurs, which have been safely preserved until our time.

 

Location: Parque Natural das Serras de Aire e Candeeiros, Portugal

Summarize

Portugal's national parks are its treasure and national heritage. The state carefully protects each national park, allowing everyone to visit it as part of organized tours or independently. 

 

However, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the rules of visiting in advance, learning everything about safety precautions, and carefully treating nature here, as you can get acquainted with one of the most exciting parts of Portugal.

 

Because Portugal's national parks are large, visiting them may take more than one day. If you want to learn as many details as possible about each one, you should set aside several days for a visit or use organized tours in which all stops have already been planned. The program concentrates on showing beauty over a set period.