Nelas is a pleasant little town located within close range of 1993-metre-high Serra da Estrela, mainland Portugal’s highest point.
With its airy streets and lovely shaded palaces, it provides a suitable stopover point for visitors exploring the mountain region nearby.
What to see. Nelas is most notable for its exquisite palaces, the majority of which date from the 17th and 18th centuries. The town is also famous for its fine red and white Dão wines and creamy Serra cheeses.
Nearby. Extending for some 100 km, and with a breadth of 30 km, the Serra da Estrela (Star Mountain) is a mighty granite ridge that once formed the southern frontier of the country. With its bizarrely shaped crags and gorges, mountain streams and lakes, beautiful forests and magnificent views, the area ranks among Portugal’s outstanding scenic attractions.
