A mountain city in central Portugal known for its wool industry history, stone buildings, and university. Near Serra da Estrela, Portugal's highest peak.
Covilhã stretches across the slopes of Serra da Estrela, Portugal's highest mountain range. You'll find modern glass elevators connecting the steep streets, former textile mills converted into university buildings, and colorful murals from the WOOL street art festival decorating the city walls. The nearby Serra da Estrela ski resort makes Covilhã one of Portugal's few winter sports destinations.
Getting Around Covilhã's Slopes
The steep terrain of Covilhã led city planners to create a network of public elevators and funiculars connecting different levels of the city. You can walk between neighborhoods using these modern transport links. The Carpinteira Pedestrian Bridge, a bold geometric structure by architect João Luís Carrilho da Graça, crosses the valley and gives you clear views of the Serra da Estrela mountains.
From Wool to Street Art
For over three centuries, textile manufacturing defined Covilhã's economy. Today, you can learn about this industrial past at the Wool Museum, located in a restored factory building. The annual WOOL Festival brings international artists to paint large-scale murals across the city's old industrial buildings. These artworks often reference the city's textile-making past through contemporary designs.
Serra da Estrela Experience
The Serra da Estrela mountains create a unique climate for year-round activities. In winter, you can ski at the Serra da Estrela resort, 20 kilometers from the city center. During warmer months, marked trails lead you through the mountain landscape for hiking and mountain biking. Local shepherds still produce the region's famous Serra da Estrela cheese using traditional sheep's milk recipes.
University Life and Modern Culture
The University of Beira Interior's campus spreads across several former industrial buildings throughout Covilhã. More than 7,000 students bring activity to the city streets, cafes, and bars. Throughout the year, you can attend film festivals, academic conferences, and cultural events organized by the university community.
Getting There and Around
Trains and buses connect Covilhã to major Portuguese cities. The railway station and bus terminal are a 10-minute walk apart. Local buses run through the urban area, but with long intervals - expect to wait up to an hour between services. To reach Covilhã from abroad, fly into Lisbon or Porto airports and take a train or bus to complete your journey.
Historical Quarter
In the old Jewish Quarter, narrow streets follow medieval patterns, and some buildings still have their original Manueline windows from the 16th century. The Chapel of São Martinho shows simple Romanesque architectural elements and contains 18th-century religious paintings. These streets were once home to Jewish wool merchants and Portuguese explorers, including Pêro da Covilhã.
