No point on mainland Portugal is closer to the stars at night and closer to the sun during the day. Because nowhere does it go higher than in the Serra da Estrela deep in the hinterland – up to almost 2000 meters. In winter, the locals ski right up there. Or they hike halfway up the plateaus – in hiking boots at lower altitudes, or on snowshoes or cross-country skis at the top. Lisbon is three and a half hours away by car.