Free walking tours in Covilhã and what to see

Must-sees

Covilhã is a central Portuguese city clinging to the eastern slope of the Serra da Estrela, with steep streets and views over the Cova da Beira valley. For centuries it lived off the wool industry, a past you can understand at the Wool Museum, set in the former Royal Cloth Factory inside the university. In the centre, the Church of Santa Maria stands out, with its façade covered in azulejos, and many façades in the city display street-art murals.

To cope with the slopes there are public lifts and footbridges, among them the bridge over the Carpinteira stream, by the architect Carrilho da Graça, which has become a modern symbol of the city. From Covilhã the road climbs to Penhas da Saúde and the Torre, the highest point in mainland Portugal, with a small ski station that opens when there is snow. In summer, the hills offer walking routes among lakes and glacial valleys.

Free tours and guided visits

There are no regular free walking tours or guided visits of the city in Covilhã. Most people explore the centre on their own and visit the wool museum. For the mountains, local companies organise hiking routes, 4x4 outings and snow activities in winter, best booked ahead. From the city it is also easy to drive up to the Torre.

How long to spend

The city can be seen in half a day, with the wool museum, the centre and a walk across the footbridges. What really takes time is the mountain: allow at least a full day to drive up to the Torre and walk around Penhas da Saúde. With two or three days you can go down the glacial Zêzere valley to Manteigas or visit Belmonte, about twenty minutes away.

Where to stay

The most convenient option is to stay in the centre of Covilhã, where there are hotels and guesthouses near the main square and the museum. For the mountains, Penhas da Saúde has places to stay higher up, very handy in the snow season. Bear in mind that in winter the mountain road can be closed by snow, so check conditions before driving up.