Day Trip to Belmonte, Castelo Novo, & Sierra de la Estrella

Day Trip to Belmonte, Castelo Novo, & Sierra de la Estrella

We'll meet on Nuno Álvares Avenue at the scheduled time and depart from Castelo Branco towards Belmonte, a historic village reached after a 50-minute minibus ride.

In Belmonte, we will go on a guided tour to view the facades of significant monuments, including the castle, the old City Hall, and the statue of Pedro Álvares Cabral, recognized for being the first Portuguese in Brazil. The history of the village will be explored, particularly its designation as the "land of tolerance" during the Middle Ages. We will also visit the tower of Centum Cellas, dating back to the 1st century, located in the outskirts of Belmonte.

Following this, we will travel by minibus to Serra da Estrela, home to the highest peak in continental Portugal. We will ascend to 1993 meters (6,538 feet) to visit the Tower and stop at various viewpoints. This section includes a visit to a trout farm and the Poço do Inferno waterfalls.

There will be a brief break for a self-catered picnic before we continue to the village of Castelo Novo. This part of the tour includes walking along its narrow cobblestone streets and viewing old manor houses, an 18th-century baroque fountain, and the keep.

After eight hours of exploration, we will return to the starting point in Castelo Branco.