The town of Belmonte in Cova da Beira commands a broad view of the eastern slopes of the Serra da Estrela mountains and fully justifies its name. Tradition has it that the name Belmonte comes from its location (beautiful hill). Some say, however, that it comes from ‘belli monte’, the hill of war. A sunny place, with good people, endless views and centuries-old history.

MUST SEE:

WHERE TO EAT:

DISTANCE FROM HOTEL: 32 km / 20 miles

The historical village of Castelo Rodrigo as a whole is a genuine location of monuments preserving important medieval references. The most valuable features of its historical heritage are the old walls, the ruins of Cristóvão de Moura Palace, the 16th-century pillory, the medieval church, the parish church, the medieval cistern and inscriptions attesting to the existence of a substantial new-Christian community. For more than 600 years, Castelo Rodrigo was a town and municipal seat. More than once in the country’s history, its inhabitants showed their courage and loyalty to the crown.

MUST SEE:

WHERE TO EAT:

DISTANCE FROM HOTEL: 110 km / 68 miles

Perched on a hilltop that oversees all the surrounding horizons, the village of Monsanto has a unique charm that has earned it two titles in the 20th century – the Most Portuguese Village in Portugal in 1938 and Historical Village in 1995. Monsanto is one of the region’s main tourist attractions and offers visitors a unique experience. It was granted charters by King Afonso Henriques, King Sancho I, King Sancho II and King Manuel. The oldest part is also the highest point, where the Knights Templar built a wall with the donjon.

MUST SEE:

WHERE TO EAT:

DISTANCE FROM HOTEL: 45 km / 28 miles

While wandering around the Serra do Açor hills, we are not only charmed by the majesty and purity of the landscape, but we are also overcome with curiosity and impatience. Piódão stubbornly remains hidden so that it can then astound us with its architecture, which is such a good example of Man’s ability to adapt harmoniously to the most inhospitable but sublime places. Like a crib, the houses stand along the terraces of the slopes, which show blue and schist between narrow winding streets. At each corner they hide the history of the village of Piódão.

MUST SEE:

WHERE TO EAT:

DISTANCE FROM HOTEL: 55 km / 34 miles

Linhares da Beira is a 12th century medieval village boasting unequalled architectural and artistic diversity, as a legacy from different ages. It received its first charter from King Afonso Henriques in 1169. It was only later in the reign of King Dinis that its imposing castle was built, the village’s masterpiece and main attraction today. Wandering round the streets of this museum village is travelling back in time to its history and feeling the breeze from the Mondego Valley brushing your face.

MUST SEE:

DISTANCE FROM HOTEL: 45 km / 28 miles

Sortelha is one of the oldest, most beautiful towns in Portugal. It has kept its physiognomy all this time and is considered one of the best preserved. A visit to its streets and alleys, enclosed in a defensive ring and watched over by a lofty 13th century castle takes outsiders back to past centuries among medieval tombs, by the Manueline pillory or in front of the renaissance church.

MUST SEE:

DISTANCE FROM HOTEL: 51 km / 32 miles

Given the privileged location of these villages, which are housed in valleys dug by rivers and streams, which have their sources on the top of the mountains, these “villages” are undoubtedly the stage for a privileged encounter with natural wonders, and with the people, that still maintain the traditions of time.