8 parks in the heart of Portugal’s wilderness

parc de Sintra-Cascais, Portugal

Feel like reconnecting with nature during your trip to Portugal? Here are 8 parks where you can enjoy the country’s natural wonders.

Let yourself be enchanted by Portugal ‘s wild beauty by visiting its incredible national parks. These protected areas offer unique ecosystems where Portugal’s exceptional flora and fauna are preserved. Winding hiking trails will guide you through breathtaking landscapes, magnificent waterfalls, majestic mountains and immaculate beaches. Get ready to plunge into the immensity of the spectacular parks for which Portugal is famous.

Peneda-Gerês National Park

parc national de Peneda-Gerês, Portugal

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In the Peneda-Gerês National Park, which covers more than 72,000 hectares, you’ll discover exceptional ecological diversity. Marvel at the luxuriant flora, with its holly forests and endemic Gerês lily. The fauna is also full of surprises, with the presence of fallow deer, Iberian wolves, small wild horses known as « garranos », barrosã cattle and Castro Laboreiro dogs. You can also admire waterfalls and lagoons such as Caniçada, Vilarinho das Furnas and Portela do Homem.

The Peneda-Gerês National Park also offers a multitude of activities to connect you fully with nature. Enjoy canyoning, canoeing and trekking along the Roman road. As you explore, you’ll come across Roman milestones, menhirs and dolmens, as well as medieval castles, monasteries and sanctuaries that blend harmoniously into the landscape.

Ria Formosa Natural Park

parc de Ria Formosa, Portugal

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Among Portugal’s natural treasures is the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Located along the east coast of the Algarve, this lagoon system stretches for 60 km, creating a fascinating transition zone between sea and land. With its 18,000 hectares and varied ecosystems, you’ll be amazed by the diversity of wildlife that inhabits this park.

Visit the Marim Environmental Education Center to find out more about hiking trails and observatories. Enjoy a traditional boat trip to discover the region’s traditional activities, such as fishing, salt extraction and shellfish harvesting. Don’ t forget to visit the islands of the Ria Formosa, such as Faro Island, Barreta Island, Culatra Island, Armona Island and Tavira Island, with their vast, uncrowded sandy beaches, perfect for relaxing.

And why not explore Cacela Velha, a charming white village with a remarkable historical heritage? A visit to its fortress offers dazzling scenery, where the blue of the river, sea and sky blend harmoniously.

Mata do Buçaco forest park

Escalier de Fonte Fria, parc de Mata do Buçaco, Portugal

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If you want to discover Portugal’s wilderness, the Mata do Buçaco forest park is a must. Located in the Serra do Buçaco region, this park, surrounded by a high wall, plunges you into a mystical atmosphere. As you explore this unique place, you’ll marvel at its biodiversity. With around 400 plant species native to Portugal’s Atlantic coast and 300 species from other climates, the park offers a veritable plant symphony, with the majestic Buçaco cedar enthroned as the symbol of this incredible biodiversity.

Beyond its botanical wealth, the Mata do Buçaco park offers a wide range of activities for nature lovers. You can enjoy outdoor walks, take part in guided tours to learn more about the park’s history and biodiversity, and explore sites of interest such as the Fonte Fria, a monumental staircase overlooking a small lake, or the fern valley with its staircases, lakes and streams.

Located north of Coimbra, the park also offers nearby luxury accommodation with the Palace Hotel du Buçaco, which has been transformed from the legendary palace destined for the last kings of Portugal. You can also enjoy the Luso thermal baths, famous for their mineral waters, and the Curia thermal baths, just 15 km from the park, which offer health and leisure activities as well as charming accommodation.

Douro International Nature Park

Parc naturel du Douro, Portugal

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Another of Portugal’s natural gems is the Douro International Nature Park, which stretches for almost 120 km along the Douro River between Portugal andSpain. Created in 1998, the park boasts exceptional biodiversity and a rich cultural heritage.

Hike its trails, take a river cruise, and admire birds of prey such as golden eagles, griffons, falcons and vultures, including the Egyptian vulture, the park’s emblem. Don’t miss the miradouros scattered around the park for breathtaking panoramic views. Some of them can be reached by a short hike, but the effort is well worth it.

Sintra-Cascais Natural Park

parc de Sintra-Cascais, Portugal

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Welcome to the superb Sintra-Cascais Nature Park, a veritable jewel of nature located on Portugal’s central coast, between Sintra and Lisbon. Imagine walking along steep cliffs, taking in spectacular views and discovering secret beaches lined with deserted dunes. Since 1994, the park has been protected to preserve its natural beauty.

One of the highlights of your visit will undoubtedly be the discovery of Cap de la Roca, the most westerly point on the European continent. You’ll marvel at the vertical cliffs rising majestically before you. Don’t miss a visit to the charming fishing village of Azenhas do Mar, perched atop a cliff and featuring white houses with red roofs, offering a dreamy view of the ocean.

The park also boasts the magnificent Praia Grande, a long sandy beach framed by cliffs, a favorite with surfers. And if you’re looking for a more intimate experience, Praia da Ursa is a small, hidden cove within walking distance of Cabo da Roca. For cycling enthusiasts, there’s a 10 km cycle path along the seafront between Praia da Guincho and Cascais, offering breathtaking panoramas.

As you explore the park’s wild coastline, you’ll also have the chance tospot numerous birds, notably on the rocks of Cabo Raso and in the pine forest of Oitavos Dune. The lighthouses of Sintra-Cascais Park, bearing witness to the region’s maritime history, are also not to be missed.

South-West Alentejano and Costa Vicentina Natural Park

Sagres, parc naturel du Sud-Ouest Alentejano et Costa Vicentina, Portugal

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Among Portugal’s parks, the South-West Alentejano and Costa Vicentina Natural Park is well worth a visit. Created in 1988, this 75,000-hectare park boasts one of the best-preserved stretches of coastline in Europe. As you explore this region, you’ll be amazed by the unique diversity of its flora and fauna, attracting zoologists and botanists from all over the world.

The park’s landscape is marked by steep cliffs offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Along the hiking trails, you may spot rare birds such as osprey and white storks. Sea otters also make their home here. The flora is equally fascinating, with exclusive species such as Biscutella vicentina and Plantago almogravensis.

The park also boasts a number of beaches popular with surfers from all over the world. The beaches of Porto Covo, Malhão, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Almograve, Monte Clérigo, Arrifana and Amado invite you to relax. Access to some of these beaches can be difficult, but it’s well worth the effort. Don’t forget to visit the nearby lighthouse and Cape São Vicente, as well as the famous Sagres headland.

Arrábida Natural Park

Parc naturel de l'Arrábida, Portugal

Shutterstock – Liliana Marmelo

Portugal is the ideal place for nature lovers, and the Arrábida Natural Park, located between Setúbal and the village of Sesimbra, is well worth a visit. This10,800-hectare park will amaze you with its limestone cliffs, sandy beaches and lush vegetation.

Explore the region’s rich biodiversity, including the rare Mediterranean maquis. The more adventurous can also enjoy extreme activities such as caving, diving and climbing. Visit the oceanographic museum near Portinho beach and head to the Serra do Risco for an exceptional panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean. To finish on a high note, relax on the beautiful beaches of Figueirinha, Galapos and Portinho da Arrábida.

Litoral Norte Natural Park

chemin en bois parc du Litoral Norte au Portugal

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Finally, explore the wilderness of Portugal’s Litoral Norte Nature Park. Created in 1987 and requalified as a nature park in July 2005, it covers an area of 440 hectares. Within this magnificent park, explore an exceptional coastal strip, stretching from the mouth of the Neiva River to Apúlia. Its beaches and dunes, interspersed with reefs and small estuaries, as well as its pine forests and rural landscapes, offer breathtaking scenery. Typical windmills add a touch of authenticity to this unspoilt environment.

In the north and south of the park, the vast areas of dunes are home to a rich and varied flora and fauna, helping to protect the habitats from the wind and water. Take a stroll through the pine forests of Ofir, or follow the footpath along the Cávado River. Take the opportunity to observe the migratory birds that populate the park, such as herons, sea swallows, king ducks and silver gulls.

Portugal abounds in natural treasures and breathtaking landscapes that you can admire by visiting these 8 parks. Share your favorite parks in the comments and inspire other nature lovers to enjoy a unique Portuguese experience.