Guarda: Portugal's Highest City

Guarda is Portugal’s highest city, perched on the edge of the Serra da Estrela at around 1,000 metres. It’s a granite city with a fortress-like cathedral, a medieval Jewish quarter and fresh mountain air. It’s a good base for Serra da Estrela and the historic villages.

Quick answer: Guarda is about 2.5 hours from Porto and 3 hours from Lisbon. See the Gothic cathedral (climb to the roof when open), wander the old Jewish quarter, and use the city as a base for Serra da Estrela, Belmonte, Sortelha and Castelo Rodrigo. See places to stay in Guarda.

Things to do

• The cathedral: a massive granite cathedral mixing Gothic and Manueline styles.
• The Jewish quarter: narrow streets around the cathedral with marks of the medieval community.
• The castle keep and the remains of the walls.
• The museum in the former bishop’s seminary.
• Mountain food: Serra da Estrela cheese, sausages and hearty stews.

Day trips

• Serra da Estrela: see Serra da Estrela.
• Historic villages: Belmonte, Sortelha, Castelo Rodrigo and Almeida. See the historic villages.
• Monsanto: see Monsanto.

Tips

• Weather: cold in winter, sometimes with snow. Pack layers.
• Car: essential for the villages.

More: Portugal’s hidden gems and Portuguese cheese.

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