GREEN PORTUGAL - SOUTHWEST ALENTEJO AND COSTA VICENTINA NATURAL PARK

The Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park is the longest stretch of protected coastline in Portugal, covering an area of 76,000 hectares, around 80 km of which, located between the Odeceixe beach and the fishing village of Burgau, in Vila do Bispo, are part of the Algarvian coastaline region. Here is a natural sanctuary in which the seashore is interrupted by steep cliffs, beaches and sand dunes. With respect to marine plant life, there are 460 species of algae along the coast. Among the great diversity of animal species that live in the park are otters, foxes, wild boars, badgers, wild cats and the Iberian lynx. However, it is the birds that are the great attraction of the Costa Vicentina. The streams are home to herons, storks, kingfishers and moorhens, while the coastal rocks shelter ravens, seagulls, magpies and birds of prey.  

GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF SINTRA-CASCAIS

Palaces and gardens mix with vegetation and mist, offering an almost magical landscape with many viewpoints, including Pena Palace and the Moorish castle, a site that UNESCO has declared a cultural landscape. The two faces of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, near Lisbon, are its wild coastline and an extensive range of hills, and it's hard to believe that there is still such intact nature at this point on the Portuguese map. On a clear day you can see the coast where Capes Raso and Roca mark out the borders of the park. Large stretches of beach such as Guincho, a mecca for windsurfers, and cliffs where the wind and waves impose their own law, creating legends such as Boca do Inferno (the Mouth of Hell) and Ursa beach, are just some of the park's attractions. 

GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF SERRA D'AIRE AND CANDEEIROS

This park has more natural wonders with hundreds of limestone caves on the surface and as many underground, formed by the action of underground streams, probably the largest salt water reserves in the country, all littered with stalactites and stalagmites. About twenty-five species of orchids decorate the landscape of the park that is home to all types of reptiles, birds, mammals and invertebrates. It seems like this area has already been a park for millions of years, as proven by the dinosaur footprints (discovered in 1994) that you can see and touch at the edge of the Serra de Aire. 

GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF SERRA DA ESTRELA

The Natural Park of Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain peak in Portugal with an altitude of almost 2000 meters at the tower (it's highest point), it is the largest protected area and it's the place with lowest temperatures in Portugal (minus 20 degrees celsius). In this visit it's possible to follow the course of some portuguese rivers like the Mondego, the Zêzere and  the Alva, they will take you to breathtaking places. Take advantage of those moments of communion with nature to observe it, discovering the diversity of plants and birds. With the snow it's possible to try ski, snowboard or snowmobile. There are several pistes with support infrastructure, as well as synthetic snow pistes for skiing at any time of the year.

GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF DOURO

The Douro Internacional Natural Park, was created in 1998 and is the most recent natural park in Portugal. It covers part of the municipalities of Miranda do Douro, Mogadouro, Freixo de Espada à Cita and Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo, along the natural frontier formed by the Douro river. The park reaches its maximum altitude (895 meters) and its steep banks, also known as "arribas", offer a rich wildlife. Birds are the main species, especially the ones that nidify in rocky formations, such as the black stork, the Egyptian vulturem the griffon, the golden eagle or Bonelli eagle. The microclimate in cliffs is good for Mediterranean agricultural plantations, like the olive tree and the wine, as a true landmark for Douro Wine Regions, located not very far from the Douro Natural Park.

GREEN PORTUGAL - NATURAL PARK OF ALVÃO

Located between Mondim de Bastos e Vila Real, Natural Park of Alvão was created in 1983. Despite being one of the smallest Nature Reserves of Portugal, it has an astonishing natural landscape that includes mountains, ravines, valleys, woods and waterfalls.

This Nature Reserve has some beautiful animals - like wolves, wildcats, peregrine falcons and an endangered specie: royal eagles. For a great moment of relaxation - and amazing photographs - you can enjoy the view of one of ths most well-known waterfalls of the Reserve: Fisgas do Ermelo.