Manteigas: Travel and tourism

At the heart of the Serra da Estrela mountains, the small town of Manteigas, besides its textile industry, has focused its attention on tourism, as the mountains are becoming increasingly popular as a holiday destination.

The county is extremely small but has an immense natural beauty, with rocky formations sculpted by ancient glaciers, the healthy and peaceful Penhas Douradas, Torre (the small stone tower which marks the highest point in Portugal, at about 2000 metres), and the stunning and romantic Poço do Inferno (Hell's Well), a cascade in the gorge of the river Leandros which often freezes in Winter.

Textiles are important to the county as the upper slopes of the Serra da Estrela are good for little more than grazing sheep, which provide wool for the industry as well as milk for the famous Serra cheese.

Near Manteigas, Pousada de São Lourenço is the ideal place for visitors in search of a secluded retreat, besides offering them a chance to taste the region's typical dishes, such as red bean and cabbage soup and trout in onion marinade.