Discover the best luxury spa hotels in Serra da Estrela, Portugal

Though you’re only two hours from the coast, the peaks of Portugal’s Serra da Estrela mountain range are far from the beaten tourist track. This wilderness is the only place in the country to become stark and snow-capped in winter, but is at its best in summer, when you can hit the hiking trails and take in the beauty of the Zȇzere river valley, waterfalls, glacial lagoons, Dali-esque granite boulders, historic churches and tiny slate villages. Make the village town of Manteigas your base for explorations – from there it’s an easy drive to reach Torre, the region’s highest peak.