mata nacional do bussaco

Wander through the most beautiful forest, to walk North and find the ridge line that 50,000 British and Portuguese troops held to defeat a force of 65,000 invading French, in 1810, during the Napoleonic wars. Not much is left, so visit the small museum run by the Portuguese army who will point out where to go.

This green hill is a historic place where the napolean army was defeated by the english troops, commanded by Wellington. There is monument wherethe battle occurred, worth a visit, and it has a nice view, but the mata has other places worthy a visit, the cruz alta, a gorgeous view, the porta de coimbra, porta das ameias, one of the entrance, The entrance is not free, 5 euros per car. There are many very old and special trees, for those who like biology.

We spent a night in Bussaco and wished we had stayed longer. It was one of the highlights of our week in Portugal. Going in, we didn't know what to expect since we found only limited information online. But there are a few different activities...For avid hikers, there are trails and various markers explaining local flora and fauna. Even for leisurely strolls (for people like us!), the setting is beautiful and there is much to enjoy. There is a small palace with gardens (now The Palace Hotel at Bussaco) as well as an old convent. We stayed the night at the hotel, which was surprisingly very affordable during the off season! This was an exciting experience for us (family with two little girls). We had a rental car with a GPS, which made coming and going easy as well. Bussaco is driving distance from both Lisbon and Porto. If you are in the area, put it on your agenda! One other note, there is a small fee to enter the park (around 5 euros).

The Mata has lots to see. The entrance by Porta Ameias, costs 5 euros per car. There are 2 3 parking places, firsts next to vale dos fetos, you have to walk a bit, very green,Font Fria, worth seeing, 15 min is enough, then the next stop would be near the Convento and palace which is now a hotel, worth seeing from outside from every angle and take pictures, the convent is small only for those wishing to learm more about history. Adviceable reading about Buçaco before going there so you can recall all what happened in the past. The map you should get from the tourism post is important as it shows you the itinery inside. You will find many ermidas, practicale nothing worth seeing, Porta de Coimbra is worth seeing has a nice belvedere and a monument 2 poes, then cruz alta, we went by car, its difficult to climb for old people! we got out at porta Rainha next to the Museu Militar, and about 6 km is Cruz alta, a very bad road, The view is fabulous worth the trip, good for pictures from the cross! Lunch would be better in Luso or even further better Mealhada where there are lots of choices|

We visited the palace only on the outside ( the gardens ) and the forest. I loved it. The scenery is really beautiful. The place is a bit hidden and therefore a bit difficult to find it, but is totally worth it. 100% recommendable.

This forest had a severe fire. It needs a lot of restoration. However is still very nice. You can visit the - Vale dos Fetos – where you can find species rare in this region. Is a place you must be prepared to walk a lot because by car you see just a bit and miss the best.

To make a stride through such places is magical. History, peace, beauty. Go and take a long walk. If possible, stay or simply have a lunch at the restaurant of the Bussaco Palace Hotel. Not to miss!

This place seems like a dream. Quiet, peaceful, and a great place to explore.I went there in November, with loads of rain but the place can still be magical even with a weather like that.You have springs and creeks everywhere, lots of forest, but, if you are adventurer, the whole mountain has a lot to see. Windmills, watermills, museums, astonishing viewpoints, typical centenary forest guard houses (you can even rent one to stay), and much more. The problem is that there is few accessible information for tourists, but it seems that some students from are making an Android app to help tourists. guiadigitalserrabussaco.blogspot.com They already have some information on their blog, so, if you want to visit this magic, visit their blog first.

Peaceful, beautiful Park and gardens. Swans swimming in the pond, silver ferns (the iconic ferns from New Zealand), and a grand stone staircase that was used by the monks. The Palace is now a hotel that is only viewable from the outside unless you are a guest. But it is a grand old structure adorned by tiles that is worthwhile to see.

One of our most beautiful things so far done in Portugal! Nature is stunning and the palace/hotel (*****) is beautiful!

This all together a great and majestic forest and a real Botanic garden in which you can find about 700 native & exotic protected species among them the “Spruce-fir”, the “Cedar of the Buçaco” and the always green “Sequoia” who is able to reach a height of 100meters.Most of them imported and planted by the “Bear Feet Carmelites” who had built several small Chapels, and finally a “Modest convent” into the Buçaco forest.The highest point is the “Miradouro” da Cruz Alta, this is when you leave the Military Museum, take the car and drive uphill in the narrow street in the middle on your left, continue and when arriving on the bifurcation keep right and continue uphill, finally you pas under a stone gate and on the end you can park the car and enjoy the great view. In the XIX century the Mata do Buçaco was the place where the Portuguese troops have won the invasion of the troops of Napoleon, the memorial is an obelisk which you will see on the right when driving to the point of view starting from the Museum.

It is un imaginable that British and French troops fought here in 1810, in this peaceful resort. The interesting upper part of the forest is between the palace yard and the magnificant view point. Go upper by some steps to the path leading back through a way in which small rooms were built resembling the Via De laRosa stations. The palace garden is well maintained and beautiful.Drive back to the lower part in which you see a small pond, a goose and a fountain. Peaceful site.

This is a gem of a place. a gorgeous palace in the middle of a peaceful forest that is almost magical. It deserves a visit if you are in the area.

Amazing place!! Fun to explore, easy to get around by car or foot! Our favorite places were the Vally of the Fern and the Saint Teresa Falls! But honestly the whole forest was a treat!

There are hundreds of species of plants, the tracks are very pleasent. It is a gem very well preserved.