Michael and Pam's Travels Our European Motorhome Adventures and other Travels
Michael and Pam's Travels

Linhares da Beira, Portugal ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น 2019

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Date: 18th August 2019

Travelled: 142 kms from Almeida to Manteigas, both in the Province of Beira

Visited: Guarda, Linhares da Beira and Manteigas

Stayed: Manteigas car-park, free + B. N40.40040, W07.54131

Budget: 70 days @ โ‚ฌ78 per day

We get away from Almeida relatively early by our recent standard. A cool change passed through overnight and the village festival was very quiet. Mind you we were woken by fireworks at 1.30am ?

Our Portuguese sim has date expired (30GB for 15days @ โ‚ฌ15), unfortunately these tourist sims cannot be topped up other than at a MEO shop. I should add Portugal has an excellent 4G data network everywhere we have visited. Despite being Sunday and most things are closed, Google tells us the MEO shop in Guarda is open today, so we service the Hymer and turn for Guarda.

We find a supermarket for our daily ice top up, then a parking spot in the old centro. Mind you itโ€™s market morning and there are lots of people out early today.

Guarda, Centro, Portugal
The MEO shop was opened and we are topped up.
  • The Sรฉ or Cathedral of Guarda, circa 1390
  • The altar.
  • We thought it was probably another Alfonzo statue, but no a local hero.

Guarda is done and we set the GPS for Linhares. Despite being only 40 kms away the steep descent and climb takes almost an hour.

Linhares is a Mecca for para-sailing apparently.

Linhares da Beira, Centro, Portugal

Map of Linhares da Beira

As we drive up the hill we get a glimpse of the Castelo that dominates the village of Linhares.
  • The Town Hall
  • The designated parking area is too small for the Hymer to turn around, but luckily we jag a spot behind the chapel
  • The Igreja, most of the towns people are milling about here, so we presume somethings going on.
  • The Castelo looks more interesting than it is. There is a walkway along the bastion walls, the towers are closed.
You do get a great view across the valley however.
We return to find a tourist bus sitting in the middle of the square. Getting out required some negotiation.

Once we finally escape Linhares we turn for Manteigas. Initially the drive is easy enough but once we turn into the Serra da Estrella National Park we start the long and winding climb over the mountains.

The temperature drops quickly as we climb. There are some great views but soon enough we are driving through cloud or mist.
Once over the pass we start the equally difficult descent. Most of the time in 2nd gear to spare the brakes. The 90 kms from Linhares takes almost 2 hours. This picture gives a good view of the ancient glacial valley that the Serra da Estrella is known for.

Manteigas, Centro, Portugal

Map of Manteigas, the icon on our overnight park

Glad to be out of the Hymer for a leg stretch, Pam takes in the view.

So we have a drink or two, before eating in. Being much cooler this evening, brings the promise of a good nightโ€™s sleep, when the bells stop ringing. So another day slides by…

Michael and Pam

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