Located in the interior of Portugal, Covilhã is a mountain city built on solid foundations of tradition and modernity, wool industry, knowledge, innovation, and leisure. Dynamic, cosmopolitan, and open to the world, Covilhã welcomes all who visit with open arms.
Its narrow streets tell the story of Pêro da Covilhã, a diplomat and key explorer in the discovery of the maritime route to India; the large Jewish Community that once settled here; and the booming wool industry that earned the city the nickname “Portuguese Manchester.” It also boasts one of the most extensive and diverse urban art collections in the world.
With Serra da Estrela as a constant backdrop, the surrounding towns and villages offer breathtaking landscapes and unique experiences shaped by the region’s natural heritage—alongside the quality of its hospitality, restaurants, cultural and sports facilities.
If you’re considering visiting Covilhã and want to learn more about this city with open doors to Serra da Estrela, good food and a beautiful Historic Centre invite you to enjoy a great walk around the city—any time of year.
Start in the city center with a guided tour of the Historic Centre and discover an open-air museum through the urban art route. Take a break at one of the local cafés to enjoy Covilhã’s traditional sweets, a delicious Serra cheese sandwich, or the region’s signature “pastel de molho” (sauce pastry).
Head to the Public Garden and continue to the Carpinteira Pedestrian Bridge, designed by the renowned architect Carrilho da Graça and already awarded multiple design prizes. Travel + Leisure magazine ranked it as one of the world’s most interesting design locations. There, you’ll find a former wool factory, now open to the public and transformed into a space for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship—featuring ideas, products, and projects by local artists and craftspeople. The New Hand Lab has become a hub for promoting and showcasing the most creative local resources, helping elevate Covilhã and Serra da Estrela in Portugal and abroad.
Since November 8, 2021, Covilhã has been officially designated a Creative City, in recognition of its commitment to placing Culture and Creativity at the center of sustainable urban development, while sharing knowledge and best practices internationally.
Design, in connection with Culture, Creativity, and Sustainable Development, has become one of the main drivers of Covilhã’s public policies. The Municipality embraces this project as a long-term mission and the leading strategic priority of the 2021–2024 term.
After a successful application and formal endorsement by the Portuguese National Committee of UNESCO, Covilhã officially joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in 2021, in the creative field of Design—becoming the first Portuguese city in this category. That year, only three cities worldwide were granted this title: Covilhã (Portugal), Doha (Qatar), and Whanganui (New Zealand).
In addition to Covilhã, Santa Maria da Feira was the other Portuguese city to join this international network, created in 2014. The UCCN now includes 295 cities across 90 countries, investing specifically in fields like Crafts and Folk Art, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media Arts, and Music.
Take a virtual tour of Covilhã’s top scenic viewpoints and discover places you simply can’t miss!
Located in the city center, the Tourism Office serves visitors exploring Covilhã and the region as a travel destination.
It is a privileged space for tourist information regarding museums, architecture, leisure spots, hotels, cultural, sports, and gastronomic options across the municipality.
Opening Hours:
Contact Info:
