Guide
Portugal's national park: Peneda-Gerês
By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026
Portugal's only national park
According to ICNF — the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests — the Peneda-Gerês National Park (PNPG) was created in 1971 and forms part of the National Network of Protected Areas. ICNF states plainly that it is the only national park in Portugal.
It covers roughly 70,000 hectares across five municipalities: Melgaço, Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte da Barca, Terras de Bouro and Montalegre.
Source: ICNF — Comissão de Cogestão do Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês, read 9 October 2026.
What makes it special
ICNF describes the park as having distinctive geodiversity, relatively extensive ecosystems with little human alteration, rich biodiversity, and natural values of real importance for nature conservation.
The park is run by ICNF with a co-management commission that brings in the local municipalities — a model that reflects how closely the park's mountain villages and landscapes are tied together.
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Peneda-Gerês sits in Portugal's far north, near the Spanish border, and is a natural weekend escape for anyone living in Porto or Braga.
Beyond the national park, Portugal's network of protected areas covers more of the country — and if you prefer the coast, our guide to Portugal's Blue Flag beaches is a good next stop.
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