National Parks Portugal: Explore the Country’s Top 10 Natural Wonders

Portugal is a sought-after tourist destination on the Iberian Peninsula in Western Europe. It has long been known for its stunning beaches, beautiful natural scenery, cultural heritage, and historic attractions. While many revel in Lisbon’s vibrant atmosphere, Porto’s quiet history, or the dazzling Algarve coast along the Atlantic Ocean, one aspect is perhaps slightly underrated—the country’s National Parks.

In this National Parks Portugal guide, we will explore the hiking trails in Montesinho Natural Park and Douro International Natural Park and the beautifully rich vegetation in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and Arrábida Natural Park. Portugal’s national and nature parks map a good portion of the country’s land. Whichever natural park you choose, you will delight in the beauty of Portugal.

Unbelievable panoramas and views are abundant and waiting to be soaked up. With that in mind, we’ll provide you with a list of ten of the country’s most beautiful national and natural parks (in no particular order) and discuss why living in the heart of nature in Portugal could suit you very nicely.

National Parks in Portugal: Living in the Heart of Nature

Living in Portugal, surrounded by the country’s natural landscape, provides you with an authentic Portuguese experience. In some places, the local way of life has mostly stayed the same over the years. While many of the parks in Portugal are natural attractions that do not have properties, you will find excellent options close at hand where you can enjoy unspoiled natural scenery.

If you are looking to move to Portugal, you will find that each place is unique in some way, offering more than golden sandy beaches and cultural attractions. In no particular order, below we’ll explore ten of Portugal’s National Parks that are considered to be some of the most picturesque locations in Portugal. Each of these locations are part of the best natural parks in Portugal and offer gorgeous natural scenery and unique plant and animal species.

1. Sintra-Cascais Natural Park

We had to start with the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. It’s probably the most well-known natural park in Portugal for two reasons: First, it is just an hour north of Lisbon, and second, it is sheer magnificence. Beautiful hills, green trees, palaces, and the Moorish castle provide a staggering backdrop. If you are lucky enough to live in (or live close to) this scenic area of Portugal, then you are very fortunate indeed.

If that’s not enough, Parque Natural de Sintra-Cascais also has some of the most picturesque beaches, which are relatively quiet compared to the more popular beaches closer to Cascais and Lisbon. Cabo da Roca is a cape that forms the westernmost point of the Sintra Mountain Range, an incredible natural viewpoint from which to watch the waves crash against the rugged cliffs. When you get out of the tourist-heavy center, the area also provides a calm retreat for you to enjoy a life of peace and tranquility.

If you enjoy the great outdoors or want to move to Portugal with your family, you probably could not find a better spot than this astonishing natural park. Local traditions are still very much embraced here, and the food is excellent—try the travesseiros, a delightful dessert made of puff pastry with an almond cream filling.

You are also close to the bright lights of Lisbon, where you can easily enjoy a vibrant, cosmopolitan capital with an array of top restaurants, exciting bars, and historical landmarks. The medieval town of Óbidos is also close at hand for a visit to the castle and to taste a drop of Ginjinha, a cherry liquor sometimes drunk out of a chocolate cup. The regions in proximity to the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park are great options to consider if you are interested in investing in Cascais Portugal Real Estate or Sintra Portugal Real Estate.

2. -Gerês National Park

In terms of the best national parks in Portugal, there is only one. That’s because Peneda-Gerês National Park is the country’s only official national park, while most popular nature parks, such as the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park near Lisbon and the Arrábida Natural Park on the Setúbal peninsula south of Lisbon, are considered natural parks which offer nature lovers leisurely walking paths, diverse flora, and even natural pools. 

Situated in the north of Portugal, this park was established to protect and preserve the wildlife found there and its unique range of landscapes. A very picturesque national park in Portugal, its natural beauty truly is something to behold. You can meander along trails that extend through the park, where you can find extraordinary panoramic views of the surroundings, with interesting rock formations and ancient granaries built by early settlers. 

From countless waterfalls to the ruins of Vilarinho da Furnas, two of the park’s notable sites, there are many attractions in Peneda-Gerês National Park. These ruins were submerged when filling a local reservoir, and they emerge during the dry season when the water recedes.

There are also a few mountains here, and while the Gerês Mountains are barren, they are fascinating to explore. If you are looking for properties in Portugal where you can find a quiet spot, then Gerês and the surrounding area are excellent options to consider. If you are looking for some of the top locations for soaking up nature by foot, you can learn more in our The Best Hikes in Portugal article, and if you’re interested in living surrounded by mountain peaks, check out our Mountain Houses for Sale in Portugal article.

3. Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina (Vicentine Coast Natural Park)

This coastline strip is considered one of Europe’s finest stretches of protected coastal areas. Also referred to as the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, the idyllic surrounding scenery bordering the Atlantic Ocean covers over 130 km from Porto Covo in the Alentejo to Burgau in the Algarve. 

This stupendous park is just waiting to be explored. It has stunning landscapes and beautiful beaches, which, thanks to the mild Portuguese climate, can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

If you would like to buy a property in Portugal but have been a little apprehensive about the tourist-heavy Algarve, you may want to consider options closer to Costa Vicentina.

Calmer than many parts of the Algarve, you can enjoy the natural beauty of Portugal to the fullest. For other areas in the Alentejo to consider, see our article, Alentejo Portugal Real Estate and our Portugal Tourism article offers more detail about visiting this Western European gem.

4. Montesinho Natural Park

In the northeast of Portugal, near the border shared with Spain, you will come across Montesinho Natural Park, one of Portugal’s largest parks. Rolling hills and valleys welcome you, with little streams, tranquil ponds, lush vegetation, and trees surrounding them to create a forest dense enough for you to escape from the everyday. It is a perfect destination for nature lovers wanting to indulge in all that nature parks have to offer. 

Montesinho National Park is a biodiversity hotspot. The trails weave their way up the mountain, from which you have excellent views of the beautiful scenery below. The Iberian wolf, lynx, and common genet are some of the animals that lucky visitors can see in their natural habitat. 

Note that if you are looking to buy property in this area, you will likely find some very affordable options as the real estate market here is not so developed. Indeed, you will be living in a relatively undiscovered area of Portugal, making Montesinho National Park an exciting place to live.

 5. Arrabida Natural Park

Less than an hour’s drive south of Lisbon, you’ll come across Parque Natural da Arrábida. Here, one of the most spectacular coastlines in Europe awaits you, and if you look at the Atlantic Ocean, you can soak up the rays of sunshine dancing on the water. 

As a popular day trip for people living in Lisbon, the pristine beaches and peaceful walks along the soft sands are a unique selling point of the Arrabida Natural Park. You can also enjoy the low-lying mountains, rocky cliffs, and abundant array of lush vegetation. If you are looking to purchase property in this part of the world, consider Setúbal. For those seeking luxury, Tróia is also an excellent option alongside Comporta and Melides which are slightly further south. In these areas nature and local architecture blend perfectly together, attracting many famous international designers to relocate to this part of Portugal. You can learn more about Setúbal in our Setúbal Portugal Real Estate article.

6. Ria Formosa Natural Park

Close to Tavira, the Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the highlights of the Algarve. The endless sands are popular with beachgoers and casual walkers and great for bird-watching. The scenery is stunning, and the warm climate will entice you out of the house, even in the depths of winter. 

Whether you are looking for a modern apartment or a beachside villa, you will likely be able to find something that fits your criteria here. A quieter and more authentic side of the Algarve is in store for you, where you can relax without the swarm of summertime tourists. 

Our article on Tavira Portugal Real Estate provides you with more information about buying property in Tavira, where you are well-positioned to enjoy the delights of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

7.International Natural Park

The Douro International Natural Park is located in the municipalities of Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and harbors protected eagles and vultures. The park spans a lengthy area along the Douro River, hence the name, and functions as a border between Portugal and Spain. The river is perhaps the real selling point of the park, as it cuts its way through the landscapes, meandering through the rocky cliffs and ravines that the water has slowly eroded away over the centuries. 

The Douro River flows all the way to the city of Porto, and from the natural park, you can see lush vegetation and small water courses. You can also enjoy the views of the aesthetic and practical purpose the Alto Douro Wine Region offers, which is also listed as a World Heritage Site in Portugal because of its beauty and sustainable farming practices. 

Owning a property in this part of the country is very affordable. It would be an excellent getaway if you want to live in Portugal in a quiet place surrounded by nature or in a tranquil residential village. Picture spending the weekend on amazing hikes where you can soak up the beautiful landscapes of Portugal before returning to your house, perhaps for a dip in your private pool to cool off or cook grilled meats over your barbecue with a cold cerveja (beer) in hand.

8. Litoral Norte Natural Park

On the other side of the Douro Natural Park in the northern part of Portugal, you have Litoral Norte Natural Park. The park looks out over the Atlantic Ocean, and the winds that blow in from the ocean have helped shape the sand dunes synonymous with the park. In the far distance, Parque Natural do Litoral Norte provides a view of the farmland known for being fertilized by the seaweed that washes up on the beaches. 

Portugal’s Northern Natural Park is also home to different bird species—both seabirds and breeding birds—that come to the park to nest and breed. Long grasses grow, protected from the winds by the sand dunes. This protected area is an excellent place for a nice walk, where you can see the landforms created from the sheer power of nature and soak up stunning ocean views. 

Moreover, from Porto, you are less than an hour’s drive from Litoral Norte Natural Park. Indeed, if you are living in Portugal, Porto is a good port of call if you like to get out and about in nature, with many nature parks spread out across the north. 

If you are considering purchasing property in strategically situated Porto, our article on Porto Real Estate can provide you with important information on which neighborhood would be best for you.

9. Alvão Natural Park

As previously mentioned, the north of Portugal is rich in parks, and Alvão Natural Park is another fine example. From a height of 1,339 meters at its highest point down to 260 meters, Alvão has two very distinct topographies. This varying landscape and the different feel of the natural park are what make it so unique. 

Although relatively small in size, the Upper Zone is a more mountainous area where challenging hiking treks wind. The rocky cliffs and granite formations create a dramatic feel to the landscape, providing views of the Basal Zone far below. The captivating Fisgas de Ermelo waterfalls plunge to the ground, creating a mystical spray of mist that highlights the area’s natural beauty. 

The Olo River cuts through Alvão Natural Park, and the rocky riverbed and forest are fun to explore, particularly if you are visiting with family. Indeed, Portugal is an excellent country in which to live with family, as the weather allows the option of getting out and about for much of the year, even during the winter months. Note that the north of Portugal is much colder than the south, so take an extra jacket if you are heading out at this time of year.

10. Serra da Estrela

Serra da Estrela is home to the highest peak in mainland Portugal, Torre, which stands at just under 2,000 meters. It is also the largest protected area in Portuga and the country’s largest mountain range. Indeed, this natural park is simply stunning, comprising the largest mountain range in the country. 

Due to the park’s varied topography, lovely valleys and ravines can be found in the countryside, and crystal-clear water provides otherworldly landscapes in some parts of the park. Indeed, if you are ever in Portugal, we highly recommend visiting Serra da Estrela Natural Park. Just ensure that you are with an experienced driver, as the winding roads can be a little tricky to navigate. If you fall in love with the surrounding area, you can also look into investing in Guarda, Portugal real estate options. 

By now, you may already have the desire to visit one of Portugal’s many fantastic parks and spend your time bird watching, mountain biking, hiking to the highest peak, or even looking for the abundant array of wildflowers. From Peneda-Gerês and Serra da Estrela to Litoral Norte, the list of unique attractions goes on. 

Portugal’s parks are most definitely worth a visit. It’s easy to see why many view Portugal as having some of the best national parks when the country has so much to offer in the way of diverse landscapes. From lovely sandy beaches and fantastic weather to rocky cliffs, tranquil ponds, and exciting sites – all can be found in this stunning European country.

Goldcrest: Who We Are

Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent based in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. Equipped with local knowledge, exclusive networks, and international experience, we provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property to property acquisition and beyond, we have you covered throughout the process.  

Why choose Goldcrest?

• Local knowledge: With offices located throughout Portugal, our presence nationwide allows us to assist you personally. 
• Independent service: As an independent buying agent, we do not represent any development or project. Our service is entirely tailored toward each client, providing you with everything you need to secure the perfect property at the best possible price. As an impartial advisor on the market, we work solely on behalf of our client and provide a service tailored to your needs and requirements. 
• Streamlined process: Our real estate agents speak English and Portuguese, and our service is entirely focused on providing you with a hassle-free buying experience, saving you time. 
• Experienced team: Our expert real estate team has a vast local knowledge of the Portuguese property market. We have cutting-edge technology and metasearch tools at your disposal to provide complete market coverage, ensuring the best investment choices and negotiated prices. 
• Network of partners: Lawyers, property management services, builders, architects, designers, and landscape gardeners, again saving you time and hassle by providing you with trusted experts in their field of work.