Covilhã

Covilhã is a city in Portugal's Beira Baixa region.

Understand




Covilhã (koo-vee-LYUHN, /ku.vi.ˈʎɐ̃/) serves as a gateway to Serra da Estrela, the centre of Portugal's winter sports. The city proper has 35,000 residents, and the municipality is home to 52,000 people.

Climate
Covilhã enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate, but is one of the few areas of Portugal to experience regular snowfall. Higher locations in the municipality, such as Penhas da Saúde, can experience blizzards, while the city centre gets no more than a dusting that doesn't accumulate.

By car

 * The A23 motorway (Auto-Estrada da Beira Interior) reaches Covilhã from Torres Novas, Abrantes, Castelo Branco, and Guarda. It meets the A1 on its western end, providing access from Lisbon. On its eastern end it meets the A25 providing a connection from Spain.
 * The EN18 (N18) road provides access from Guarda and Castelo Branco, as well as the Alentejo cities of Portalegre, Évora, and Beja.

See

 * Torre in Serra da Estrela Natural Park, the highest peak in Continental Portugal.
 * Torre in Serra da Estrela Natural Park, the highest peak in Continental Portugal.
 * Torre in Serra da Estrela Natural Park, the highest peak in Continental Portugal.

Do

 * Ski at Estância de Esqui da Serra da Estrela in Serra da Estrela Natural Park.

Go next

 * Serra da Estrela Natural Park