Winter resorts in Portugal are not an unlikely option!
All year round, we have been talking about the wonderful white washed beaches and the warm summer resorts in the Algarve. But while we wistfully wait for summer (or at least spring) to return to the Old Continent, you will be happy to find out that winter resorts in Portugal are not an unlikely option!
Spending winter in Portugal may prove to be an exciting option. And while the weather stays warm throughout the year in the Algarve, the northern part of Portugal enjoys snow and a temperate weather. In Porto, you might even have a white Christmas.
As for true winter resorts, there is one great place in Portugal: the Serra da Estrela National Park. Situated in the Serra da Estrela mountain range, crossed by the rivers Mondego, Alva and Zezere, the park covers around 1000 sq km, making it the largest protected area in the country. It is a fairytale land, where winters resemble those in the north and summers blossom in fast springs and multicolored flowers cover the fields. The horseshoe-shaped valleys are crowded with polished rocks, glacial lakes remind of the ice age that modeled the mountains and the surrounding landscapes.
For those who want to practice winter sports, there are 9 skiing pistes, set at a maximum altitude of 1967 meters.
Those of you who love to hike, there is plenty to see and endless miles of forests and valleys to wander around. Oaks and juniper grow here in abundance. But the fauna, unfortunately, is rather poor. Once upon a time, there were bears here and magnificent wolves, but now they are a mostly thing of the past. You can, however, still encounter badgers, wild cats, otters and frogs.
You can always travel throughout the entire country of Portugal by car and choose the best destinations to your liking.
