Visiting Peneda-Gerês National Park for the first time can be challenging. The park is larger than you might expect, and many attractions require time—whether hiking trails, reaching waterfalls, or simply taking in the scenery.
Our complete Gerês guide lists 35 must-see spots, and there’s still so much more to discover. But sometimes, there’s not enough time for an extended visit, so in this article, we want to help you make the most of one day in Gerês.
This itinerary is designed for first-time visitors and offers a little bit of everything: breathtaking viewpoints, dreamy waterfalls, picturesque villages, and a taste of the local culture. You won’t be able to see the entire park, but we guarantee you’ll want to come back!
So, how can you explore Gerês in one day? We’ll answer everything below!
When to Visit Gerês?
The National Park is spectacular year-round! Here’s what to expect:
- Summer brings river beaches, hiking trails, and natural lagoons perfect for swimming.
- Winter fills the waterfalls, makes the mountain food taste even better, and if you’re (very) lucky, you might even see snow at the highest points.
- Spring offers blooming landscapes, waterfalls still flowing with water, and pleasant temperatures for hiking.
- Autumn paints the park with warm colors as the leaves fall. If it doesn’t rain, it’s also a great time for hiking.
This itinerary focuses on outdoor attractions like short trails, waterfalls, and lagoons, so the best time to visit is summer when it’s warm enough for a swim. However, remember that the water is always quite chilly, and the National Park gets very crowded in summer.
Where to Go in Gerês?
When you only have one day in Gerês, one of the first decisions is which park area to visit. It’s impossible to see the entire park in a single day, and visiting more than two areas is not worth visiting. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, we recommend sticking to just one part of the park.
For this itinerary, we’ll focus mainly on the central area of the National Park, specifically around the village of Gerês and the nearby villages of Ermida and Fafião. This region is central and close to the park’s most famous attractions, such as Arado Waterfall, Pedra Bela viewpoint, Mata da Albergaria forest, and the Caniçada Reservoir.
Additionally, many of these attractions are easily accessible from the main road, so you won’t lose much time hiking—an essential factor when you have limited time. Places like Poço Azul or the Sete Lagoas of Xertelo are stunning, but if you choose to visit them, you won’t have time to see much else.
One-Day Itinerary for Peneda-Gerês National Park
The first thing to consider in this itinerary is that the nearest attraction in the National Park is about two hours from Porto and one hour from Braga. So, it’s essential to start as early as possible. We recommend arriving at the park before 9 a.m. If you’re coming from Porto, this means leaving around 7 a.m. It’s going to be a long day!
Here’s our suggested itinerary:
- Morning: Fafião – Fecha das Barjas – Arado Waterfall – Pedra Bela – Gerês Village.
- Lunch in Gerês Village: Recommended restaurant – Lurdes Capela.
- Afternoon: Preguiça Viewpoint – Mata da Albergaria – São Miguel Waterfall – Geira Romana – São Bento da Porta Aberta – Rio Caldo/Alqueirão.
One day in Gerês – Morning
1. Fafião Village
The first stop on this itinerary is Fafião, also known as the “Wolf Village.” It is one of the most traditional villages in the park, home to the well-known Fafião viewpoint and the ancient Fojo do Lobo (a historic wolf trap). Although it’s our favorite village of the day, we recommend only stopping for a few minutes since there’s so much more to see.
Near Fafião, you’ll also find the spectacular Poço Verde, but visiting it would mean skipping other key destinations later in the day. If you’re curious, you can check out how to get to Poço Verde here. It’s not difficult, but it requires at least a whole morning.
2. Fecha das Barjas
Fecha das Barjas (sometimes called Tahiti Waterfalls due to the water’s striking colors) is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Gerês and is relatively close to the main road. However, the biggest challenge is that access to the waterfall is quite technical and dangerous.
If you’re not used to mountain hiking, we strongly recommend staying at the upper section of the waterfall. This spot is extremely popular in the summer, but since you’ll arrive early, you might get lucky and find it less crowded.
3. Arado Waterfall
Arado Waterfall is another of our favorites in the National Park. The access road is a dirt track, but driving as close to the waterfall as possible is best since our time is limited. It’s only about 500–600 meters (0.3–0.4 miles) on an unpaved road, and it’s easy to find as it’s right next to the beautiful Arado Bridge.
Once there, you can take a short trail with stairs leading to a viewpoint overlooking the waterfall. If you have the time and energy, you can cross the bridge and follow the river upstream to reach the waterfall, where swimming is possible. If the access to Fecha das Barjas is too tricky or crowded, this is a better spot for a morning swim.
4. Pedra Bela
From Arado Waterfall to Pedra Bela, it’s just a short 5 to 10-minute drive. Pedra Bela is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in Portugal and, in our opinion, the most beautiful in Gerês—and believe us, the competition is fierce!
Sitting nearly 900 meters (2,950 feet) above sea level, the viewpoint offers breathtaking panoramic views over the Gerês River Valley and the Caniçada Reservoir. The site has been modernized recently, but part of the access involves climbing stone steps, so we recommend being cautious.
Where to have lunch?
Pedra Bela is an excellent spot for a picnic, as it has shade and tables. However, since it’s in a natural area, there are no restaurants or cafés, so you’ll need to plan ahead and bring everything with you.
If you want to have lunch at a restaurant and try typical Gerês food, you must head to Vila do Gerês. There are several options, from cafés serving quick meals to traditional restaurants, fast food, and small supermarkets.
Our restaurant recommendation in Vila do Gerês is Lurdes Capela. It’s an excellent traditional restaurant with a great posta, the most typical dish of Gerês. They also offer a daily special if you want something quicker and more affordable.
Alternatively, just outside the village of Gerês, you’ll find Adega Ramalho, another excellent traditional restaurant.
From Pedra Bela to Vila do Gerês, it’s about a 15- to 20-minute drive.
5. Vila do Gerês
Vila do Gerês is not exactly the most traditional or beautiful village in the park, but it is exceptionally well-located and easily accessible. That’s why it’s so touristy (with shops, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, etc.) and an excellent base for anyone wanting to explore the national park more relaxedly.
In Vila do Gerês, you’ll also find the famous Gerês Thermal Baths and the well-known Thermal Park, a lovely urban park with a pool, a lake, and beautiful scenery. We won’t have time to explore the baths or the park, but it’s worth considering if you have some extra time.
One day in Peneda Geres National Park – Afternoon
6. Mata da Albergaria
In the afternoon, we’re heading to Mata da Albergaria, which we consider to be the heart of Gerês. This is a maximum protection area, so car access is limited during the summer.
The N308-1 road crosses the forest, but you’ll need to pay for access (it’s cheap, 1.5 Euros per vehicle). Stopping is not allowed until you reach the exit at Portela do Homem, near the Spanish border. At Portela do Homem, you’ll find parking to explore the forest more.
Known for its natural beauty and unique biodiversity, it is one of the last remnants of the ancient oak forest. With towering trees and dense vegetation, it offers an immersive experience in nature. It’s one of the most untouched areas of the national park.
7. São Miguel Waterfall
The São Miguel Waterfall is located in the Mata da Albergaria and is visible from the road. However, remember that you can’t stop there in the summer. Instead, you should drive to Portela do Homem, park, and walk back. Fortunately, it’s only about 700 or 800 meters, so it’s quick and easy.
With just a 5-10 meter (16-33 feet) drop, this waterfall is relatively small, but it’s beautiful, mainly because of the stunning natural pool formed beneath it. If you have time, take a dip, but be aware that it’s a very popular spot, and as always in Gerês, the water is refreshing!
8. Mata da Albergaria Trail (Optional)
The Mata da Albergaria Trail is one of the easiest in the National Park but also one of the most spectacular because of the forest. If you have about 2 hours to spare and want to do a short trail, this is our suggestion.
The trail is only 4.5 km (2.8 miles) long and is circular, starting and ending at Portela do Homem. Along the way, you’ll pass by the São Miguel Waterfall mentioned earlier. Still, you’ll also visit the famous Geira (Roman Road) and the Albergaria Waterfalls (small waterfalls that are much less crowded, where it’s also possible to take a dip). But the main attraction is truly exploring the Mata da Albergaria on foot and experiencing its natural beauty.
9. Vilarinho da Furna (Optional)
Vilarinho da Furna is a village submerged by the Vilarinho da Furna dam on the Rio Homem. In the drier season, it’s still possible to see some village ruins during the summer.
To get there, we must return to the Portela do Homem road and cross the Mata da Albergaria again on the N308-1 road. However, this time, we’ll turn right onto a dirt road. Don’t worry; it’s allowed, and the road is usually in good condition. However, drive slowly because this part of the journey is quite an adventure.
This road is just a few kilometers until you reach a new tollgate, marking the end of the maximum protection zone. From here, follow the road to Campo Gerês and then Vilarinho da Furna. Before reaching the dam, you’ll find another exit to the right onto a dirt road. It’s just a few hundred meters until you reach the submerged village.
The entire area is stunning, and it’s worth it just for the journey and the adventure, but once you arrive at the submerged village, you’ll probably want to take a dip once again.
10. Sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta
The Sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta is one of the most significant monuments in Gerês and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the country. As the name suggests, it is dedicated to Saint Benedict, the patron saint of Europe and founder of the Benedictine Order. It receives thousands of faithful visitors each year. Its curious name originates from the tradition of keeping the doors always open to welcome pilgrims, symbolizing hospitality and faith.
The building stands out for its granite facade and richly decorated interior, which features tile panels illustrating episodes from Saint Benedict’s life. However, the main attraction is truly the stunning views of the Gerês valley.
Even if you have no religious interest, it is worth stopping for a few minutes to appreciate the view.
11. Rio Caldo/Alqueirão
Finally, we suggest heading to Rio Caldo/Alqueirão to end the day. Here, you’ll find a large river beach with plenty of water activities available, including kayaks, SUPs, jet skis, and many others. In the summer, the water in the Caniçada Reservoir warms up considerably, making a dip in the water quite pleasant.
This is typically the main entrance to Gerês, but in this itinerary, we’ve chosen to end the day here. There are several cafes and restaurants where you can wrap up your day on a terrace, enjoying the sunset before leaving Gerês behind.
Important Note
If you prefer to avoid the dirt road to Vilarinho da Furna, you can return from Portela do Homem to Alqueirão/Rio Caldo. This route is quicker and easier. If you’d like, you can also visit the Sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta at the end of the day, as it’s only 3 to 4 km away, which takes about 5 minutes.
Map of this Itinerary Suggested Attractions in Gerês
Below is a map with all the attractions suggested in this one-day itinerary through the Peneda-Gerês National Park. As you can see, they are quite concentrated to minimize travel time and allow you to see as much variety of landscapes and attractions as possible.
Tips to Make the Most of Your First Day in Gerês
To make the most of your day in the Peneda-Gerês National Park, we suggest that you:
- Don’t underestimate travel times. The roads are all in good condition, but travel times are relatively long because they are mountain roads where driving fast is neither possible nor advisable.
- Enjoy the journey; less is more. If there’s a place you want to visit, take your time and enjoy it.
- This itinerary is designed with summer in mind when swimming in various locations is possible.
- Don’t forget to bring swimwear and a change of clothes.
- This is a car itinerary; it is impossible to do it by public transport.
- Plenty of tours are available for the National Park, but we don’t know of any that follow this exact route. If you take a tour, check exactly where they are going.
- Since we’ve already written about almost the entire park, you can see photos and what to expect from each place in other articles on this website. The list is at the end of the text.
- Some of the most popular spots for organized tours are Pedra Bela, Cascata da Fecha das Barjas, Soajo and Lindoso, Poço Azul, and Sete Lagoas do Xertelo.
Organized Tours in Peneda-Gerês
Since we live relatively close to the National Park and go there whenever we want, we’ve never done organized tours, so we can’t recommend any based on personal experience. However, the tours listed below have excellent reviews, and the routes and attractions they visit are spectacular.
- 4×4 Tour through Gerês with lunch at a traditional restaurant.
- Van Tour that visits Pedra Bela, Cascata do Arado, among other places.
- Tour with the option of Kayak or SUP.
Other Articles about Gerês
One of the things we mentioned above is that there are many other attractions in the National Park. Some, such as Soajo, Peneda, or Pitões das Júnias, are quite far from our itinerary and, therefore, impossible to visit in just one day.
Other attractions, such as the Miradouro da Preguiça, Cascata de Leonte, and Poço Verde de Fafião, are nearby or along the route. However, since this is an itinerary for those unfamiliar with the park and have limited time, we had to make some choices.
If you have more time or want to learn more about the National Park, check out these articles:
- Complete Guide to Peneda-Gerês National Park
- Best Waterfalls in Gerês
- Best Viewpoints in Gerês
- Best Pools and Lagoons in Gerês
- Best Trails in Gerês
- Most Beautiful Villages in Gerês
- Where to Stay in Gerês
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