Guarda

At over a thousand metres above sea level, Guarda is the highest city in Portugal. Its granite old town, its great cathedral and its cold, clear mountain air give it a character of its own, at the southern edge of the Serra da Estrela region.

History and identity

Founded in the twelfth century as a frontier stronghold, Guarda guarded the highest crossing between the interior and the Spanish border. Its walls, its cathedral and its old Jewish quarter recall a time when the city was one of the keys of the Beira Interior.

What to see and do

• The cathedral, with its granite towers and cloister.
• The old town, with its gates, walls and granite streets.
• The Jewish heritage and the city’s museums.
• The mountain landscapes of the surrounding plateau.

Gastronomy and traditions

Guarda shares the mountain cuisine of the Beira Alta, with Serra da Estrela cheese, smoked meats and hearty winter dishes. Its festivals and fairs follow the seasons of the high plateau.

Nearby

The city is a natural gateway to the Park Naturalny Serra da Estrela, with its high plateaus and glacial valleys.

Visiting Guarda

Guarda is in the Beira Interior, in central Portugal, reached by road and rail. Access to the old town is free; for museums and local events, check the official website before your visit.

Visitor information: mun-guarda.pt.

Image credit: Guarda, Portugal, by Alexkom000, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.