Loriga, Serra da Estrela
Aldeia da Serra da Estrela is an example of “sustainability incorporated into everyday life”. UN enchanted by Loriga and two other villages in Portugal.
The World Tourism Organization (WTO), a United Nations agency, was delighted with three Portuguese villagesand recently classified them as “”, an honor valid for three years that recognizes villages where tourism combines with the preservation of culture, biodiversity and sustainable development.
Lorigaknown as the “Portuguese Switzerland”located in the heart of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, was one of the winners in this edition. Nestled at an altitude of 770 meters, in the only permanently inhabited glacier valley in Portugal, the village rises between mountains that approach 2,000 meters, with landscapes that oscillate between the bucolic and the sublime.
Cold streams over the granite form waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes, while ancient agricultural terraces bear witness to centuries of human adaptation to the mountain’s difficult orography — a combination of preservation and innovation.
Its history dates back more than 2,600 yearspoints out , with deep roots in agriculture and pastoralism. Long before that, more than 20,000 years ago, the Loriga glacier carved the “U” shaped valley that shapes the landscape today. The Geosciences Center of the University of Coimbra identifies several glacial cirques in the area, such as Covão Boieiro or Covão do Meio, which rise like natural steps towards the summits. The perfect destination for geotourists, mountaineers and nature lovers.
Among the most emblematic places in Loriga, the Eira da Pedraan old farm based on a huge erratic block left by the glacier, from where you can see the entire valley. The Calhão Mogueiro waterfall, ten meters high, creates an idyllic setting where crystal-clear water stops in a natural well before descending through granite gorges. The Loriga Gorge takes visitors to breathtaking panoramas and the most mythical places in the mountain.
But Loriga is not just a haven of natural beauty. The village was, between the 12th century and the mid-19th century, capital of the valley and one of the most prosperous industrial centers in Beira Interiorthanks to its textile factories. Industrial decline in the 20th century caused rural exodus, but also strengthened local identity.
The pastoral tradition survives and continues to mark everyday life. On the nights of November 10th and 11th, during the Chocalhadas de São Martinho, shepherds walk the streets ringing cattle bells to ward off evil spirits.
An example of the modern “sustainability incorporated into everyday life” that earned it the United Nations award is the mobile application developed locally, which guides visitors through ecological trails, promotes local producers and provides real-time data on footfall at tourist attractions.
The land of olive groves
Vila Nogueira de Azeitãowhose name is linked to the extensive olive groves that existed in the region since Arab times, It was also distinguished, among the 270 applications from 65 countries, by the World Tourism Organization.
Located between the Serra da Arrábida and the vineyards that surround it, the village asserts itself as a symbol of Portuguese authenticity, where culture, nature and modernity merge. It stands out for preserving traditions, valuing local producers and promoting sustainable tourism.
The open-air museum is an “honorable mention”
Historic village located in the district of Beja, in the Alentejo region, in Mértola, “the Museum is the Village itself”, like the local museum.
With roots that date back to Prehistory, Mértola stood out during the Roman period and, above all, under Islamic rule, between the 8th and 13th centuries, when it was an important commercial and cultural center. Its strategic position next to the river facilitated the trade of metals, especially gold and iron, and the export of agricultural products and salt.
The medieval layout is still very present today, with narrow and winding streets, typical of Moorish origins. Highlights include the Church of Nossa Senhora da Anunciação, built on an old mosque, and the Castle of Mértola, which offers panoramic views over the town and the Guadiana.
In addition to the winners, the village of Quintadonain the municipality of Penafielwas integrated into the Upgrade Programme, aimed at locations with high potential for sustainable tourism growth.
The ceremony took place in Huzhou, Chinaand marks the fifth edition of the international initiative “Best Tourism Villages”, which recognizes rural destinations with the greatest tourism and sustainable potential at a global level.
