This Serra da Estrela mountain town, at 800m altitude, has traditional stone houses and wool mills. The glacial Zêzere Valley and thermal springs draw hikers year-round.
Manteigas sits 700 meters above the Rio Zêzere in Portugal’s Serra da Estrela mountains, with glacial valleys and terraced meadows around it. Once a hub for wool processing, this town lets you hike the Rota das Faias trail, tour the updated Burel Factory, and try Serra da Estrela cheese. Between April and June, the Poço do Inferno waterfall fills with meltwater, creating a dramatic drop through rock walls. During winter, SkiParque opens slopes less than 10 km away. Look for stone shelters once used by shepherds, and drive to Sabugeiro, a village at 1,200 meters where winters last six months.
Five Hiking Trails Near Manteigas
Five marked paths begin within a short walk of the town center, from easy valley loops to steep climbs. The Rota das Faias winds through beech groves and past granite boulders, with clear views of the Zêzere Valley’s U-shaped glacial cut. For a full-day hike, take the PR1 MTG route to Covão d’Ametade, a bowl-shaped depression filled with juniper bushes and streams. Snow covers some trails from January to March, requiring rented snowshoes or crampons from shops in town. Book guided hikes at the Serra da Estrela Natural Park office, where you can also get maps for the PR13 MTG trail, lined with irises and daffodils in May.
The Burel Wool Factory and Local Crafts
The Industria do Lanifícios Manteigas has made wool fabric since 1947, using original machinery to create durable, water-resistant cloth. Join a factory tour to watch workers card raw wool, spin yarn, and weave it into thick textiles. A store on-site sells scarves, bags, and jackets made from Burel, a material revived by local designers. Down the road, the Centro Interpretativo do Vale Glaciar do Zêzere explains how glaciers shaped the landscape over 20,000 years. Plan a visit in September for the Lãnd Wool Innovation Week, where artisans teach natural dye methods using plants like walnut husks and indigo.
Meals to Try in Manteigas
Order Feijoca, a hearty stew of red beans, pork ear, and blood sausage slow-cooked in a clay pot, at restaurants like O Brasão. Queijo Serra da Estrela, a creamy cheese made from raw sheep’s milk, pairs well with rye bread at taverns such as Ti Lena. Save room for doce de castanha, a dense pudding made from boiled chestnuts and honey. In October, the Feijoca Gastronomic Route adds this dish to menus across town with creative twists. At Viveiro das Trutas, a trout farm 2.6 km east, you can fish your own meal and have it cooked over charcoal.
Skiing and Summer Alternatives at SkiParque
From December to March, SkiParque runs two ski lifts serving slopes suited to first-time and intermediate skiers. Rent boots, poles, and jackets directly at the resort, or join a group lesson with instructors fluent in English. A daily shuttle connects Manteigas to the slopes in 20 minutes. When snow is limited, sign up for paragliding above the Zêzere Valley or snowshoe hikes along ridges. Come summer, swim in natural pools carved into the Rio Zêzere’s banks or hike to the Fonte Santa springs, where mineral-rich water flows at 25°C.
Villages Within 30 Minutes of Manteigas
Sabugeiro, 12 km east, has granite homes with slate roofs and an Ethnographic Museum with tools from the area’s shepherding past. Follow the Ribeira de São Miguel stream to see water mills that still grind flour during the August milling festival. Gouveia, 25 km north, houses the Museu Municipal de Arte Moderna, displaying Portuguese sculptures and paintings. Aldeia do Piódão, 31 km southwest, clusters slate houses with blue doors in a spiral layout on a steep hillside. These villages hold festivals in July and August with accordion music, wool-spinning demos, and communal oven-baked bread.
Transportation and Where to Stay
Fly into Porto Airport, then drive 2.5 hours via the A24 and N232 roads to reach Manteigas. Rent a car to access trailheads or take a bus from Guarda, which connects to Lisbon by train. Casa das Obras rents rooms in a restored 1800s building with original wooden beams and mountain-facing balconies. At Casa de São Lourenço, modern suites include floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Serra da Estrela peaks. Hotel São Lourenço, next to the Fonte Santa springs, has thermal pools and massage services. Ask your hotel to book a cheese-making session at a nearby sheep farm.
