It is among mountains, rivers and villages that seem frozen in time that you will find the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the only national park in Portugal. A place where nature sets the rhythm and reminds us, from the very first moment, that it is possible to live differently: more slowly, more attentively and more fully.
Have you ever felt the urge to disconnect from the world, even without knowing exactly why? To wake up without haste, take a deep breath and simply let the day unfold? In Gerês, that feeling comes almost effortlessly. Perhaps because everything here invites you to pause: the silence that settles in, the landscape that changes throughout the day and the sense that time takes on a different meaning.
That is why visiting Gerês feels so easy. Leaving, however, is much harder — without the feeling that something remains undiscovered. This is not a place to rush through; it is a territory to be felt, listened to and discovered with time. And that is exactly where the true experience begins. Are you ready for this adventure?
PNPG: a unique place in Portugal
What does it mean to be a National Park?
The Peneda-Gerês National Park is a protected natural area created to safeguard an environmental, cultural and human heritage unlike any other in the country. It is the only national park in Portugal, a distinction that reflects the richness and diversity of this northern region, where nature and local communities have coexisted in balance for centuries.
The park covers a vast mountainous area made up of four major mountain ranges: Peneda, Soajo, Amarela and Gerês. These ranges shape the landscape with deep valleys, granite plateaus and a network of rivers that run throughout the territory, such as the Lima, Cávado and Homem rivers, which are fundamental to biodiversity and local ways of life.
What species can be found in the Peneda-Gerês National Park?
The park is home to several protected species, some of them endangered. The Iberian wolf, roe deer, golden eagle and Garrano horse are among the inhabitants of Gerês. The flora is equally rich, with native forests of oak, holly and yew trees, many of them protected due to their ecological importance.
But Gerês is not just about nature… Walking through the PNPG also means travelling through centuries of history. Between communal villages, terraced agricultural fields and ancestral traditions, you will encounter a way of life deeply connected to the land and central to the park’s identity.
It is this rare combination of nature, biodiversity and culture that makes the Peneda-Gerês National Park truly unique in Portugal.
How many days are enough to get to know Gerês?
Visiting Gerês is undoubtedly a memorable experience. A few hours exploring the park are enough to realise how special this place is. But those who know it well understand that Gerês cannot be fully revealed in a brief visit.
There is always something left to do, a path yet to be walked, a different light at the end of the day or a silence that can only be felt when the mountains slow down. Because Gerês is not just about what you see, but about the time you spend there.
Where to stay in Gerês?
Experiencing Gerês means disconnecting from routine and making space for time, calm and discovery. That is where the true experience begins. And that is why we invite you to discover Quinta Lamosa in Gerês. Set in the heart of nature and carefully integrated into the landscape of the National Park, Quinta Lamosa was designed for those seeking to wake up in tranquillity, comfort and with a genuine connection to the surrounding territory.
Would you like to experience a stay at the rhythm of the mountains? Then stay one more day and discover our houses at Quinta Lamosa, designed to blend seamlessly into the landscape. The wooden houses, such as the Casa do Espigueiro or the Casa do Celeiro, are modern spaces with landscape views, created for those who value calm and comfort.
The iconic Tree House is a unique experience in itself: sleeping among the treetops, listening to the stream flowing beneath and feeling the peace of being part of nature. Curious? We have dedicated an entire article to the Tree House, detailing what it is like to sleep above the ground.
All houses are equipped with a kitchen, living room, internet, heating and outdoor spaces designed to enjoy the surrounding tranquillity. An ecotourism concept that combines comfort and authenticity, ideal for a memorable getaway. The hardest part will be leaving…
When should you visit Gerês?
Gerês is a unique nature destination all year round. It cannot be experienced in just one visit or one season. Throughout the year, the landscape transforms, the rhythm changes and new ways of experiencing the National Park emerge. Each season brings its own colours, sounds and experiences, making Gerês a destination that is always fresh and always surprising. Start planning your 2 / 3 / 5-day itinerary in Gerês — ideal for families, couples or anyone looking to disconnect completely, even from their mobile phone.
What to do in Gerês in Spring?
With the arrival of spring, Gerês awakens with colour and life. Flowering peat bogs reveal a unique and priority conservation habitat, while trumpet daffodils paint the meadows of Sezelhe in Montalegre. Blooming shrubs soften the mountain slopes and invite peaceful walks, ideal for observing nature as it comes back to life. It is also an excellent time to explore hiking or mountain biking trails, visit waterfalls with stronger flows and discover local traditions, such as the Burning of Judas during Holy Week near Montalegre Castle.
What to do in Gerês in Summer?
In summer, Gerês becomes an open invitation to adventure and direct contact with water. Waterfalls and rivers become essential stops for refreshing swims, while activities such as canoeing, canyoning and quad bike tours through the mountains take centre stage. Warm nights are perfect for stargazing far from light pollution, and during the day it is easy to lose yourself among trails, river beaches and mountain villages. For keen observers, it is also a great time to discover birdlife, with binoculars and plenty of curiosity.
What to do in Gerês in Autumn?
Autumn brings one of the most striking faces of Gerês. The Albergaria Forest transforms into a spectacular display of golden and red tones, ideal for photographic walks and unhurried strolls. It is the perfect season to follow the castle route through Melgaço, Castro Laboreiro, Lindoso and Montalegre, and to explore mountain biking trails in mild weather.
What to do in Gerês in Winter?
In winter, Gerês reveals its most dramatic and authentic side. Waterfalls gain strength, the mountains are often wrapped in mist and, with some luck, snow appears, creating rare scenes in Portugal. It is the ideal time for landscape photography, more contemplative walks and for experiencing ancestral traditions such as the Burning of the Old Father in Castro Laboreiro, which marks the farewell to the old year.
Gerês or Serra da Estrela? Hotel or local accommodation in Gerês?
When talking about nature destinations in Portugal, two names often appear together: the Peneda-Gerês National Park and the Serra da Estrela. Both offer mountains, striking landscapes and a strong connection to nature. However, the experience in each is quite different.
Serra da Estrela impresses with its altitude, wide horizons and more alpine atmosphere, especially in winter. It is a popular destination for short breaks, snow experiences and stays centred around urban areas or larger hotel units.
Gerês, on the other hand, does not reveal itself immediately. It is a more dispersed territory made up of valleys, rivers, trails and villages where time seems to follow a different rhythm. Here, the experience is built slowly over several days, rather than around a single point on the map. For those looking to disconnect, slow down and experience nature more intimately, Gerês tends to create a deeper connection.
This difference becomes even more evident when comparing hotel vs local accommodation in Gerês.
Hotels offer standardised comfort, defined services and a predictable experience. They are a good option for those seeking practicality and little room for improvisation.
Local accommodation in Gerês, especially when integrated into the landscape, allows for a more authentic experience. Sleeping surrounded by nature, waking up to the sounds of the mountains, cooking at your own pace and living the space as if it were your own makes all the difference in how the stay feels. It is not just about where you sleep; it is part of the experience.
In Gerês, staying in a place designed to respect the land and its rhythm completely transforms the visit. You stop being just a visitor and become part of the place, even if only for a few days.
In the end, the choice is not about which destination or type of accommodation is “better”, but about how you want to experience the time you have. If the idea is to gather moments, landscapes and sensations without rushing, Gerês — and the right accommodation — make all the difference.
Plan your stay — we are waiting for you!
In Gerês, everything is an invitation. It is a place that does not demand strict plans or packed schedules; it simply asks for time and openness to feel. In Gerês, each day is shaped by small decisions: staying a little longer, turning left or right, walking instead of rushing.
Some come for adventure, others to explore, and some simply to rest. The best part is that, in Gerês, you can enjoy a bit of all three. And that freedom is what turns this Natural Park into a truly unique stay.
At Quinta Lamosa, everything is ready to welcome you. As for the rest, Gerês will take care of showing it to you.
Quinta Lamosa – Your place in nature.