The ascent begins quietly, as the landscape shifts from gentle valleys to granite slopes shaped by altitude, wind and time. Serra da Estrela, mainland Portugal’s highest mountain range, rises ahead — raw, vast and unmistakably different from anywhere else in the country.

Travelling in the comfort of a private vehicle, the route leads into the Beira Interior, reaching Celorico da Beira, long associated with the production of Serra da Estrela cheese. From here, the road climbs through Seia and onward to Sabugueiro, the highest village in Portugal, where stone houses and seasonal rhythms reflect an enduring mountain way of life.

Higher still, the scenery opens into wide plateaus and glacial landscapes. Lagoa Comprida appears between rock formations and open skies, before the final ascent to the Serra da Estrela Tower, standing at 1,993 metres, the highest point in mainland Portugal. In winter months, this is one of the rare places where snow in Portugal becomes part of the experience, transforming the mountain into a stark and memorable setting.

Throughout the day, the journey may be enriched with carefully selected regional gastronomy and cultural moments, allowing each group to shape the experience according to their interests and preferred pace. These optional elements are not included in the base tour price and may be selected individually at the time of booking.

Designed as a private and flexible experience, this tour offers a refined balance between mountain scenery, seasonal snow and the authentic flavours of Serra da Estrela — an immersion into one of Portugal’s most distinctive natural regions.