{"id":860737,"date":"2024-12-03T15:48:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T13:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=860737"},"modified":"2025-03-08T15:44:26","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T13:44:26","slug":"sao-pedro-do-sul-portugal-s-hidden-gem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/sao-pedro-do-sul-portugal-s-hidden-gem\/","title":{"rendered":"\ud83c\udfde\ufe0f Sao Pedro do Sul: Portugal’s hidden gem"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mountains attract me, although before I loved the sea more. Apparently, because the Atlantic is cold and windy, and in the mountains it is comfortable and calm.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This time I want to introduce you to a new ridge in central Portugal<\/a>. The route<\/a> passes through two mountains – Serra da Freita and Serra da Arada. Both are located in the S\u00e3o Pedro do Sul region. The trip will be quite intense. Along the way you will find three waterfalls, a town with hot springs, slate villages and picturesque viewpoints.<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

From Porto to the first point on the route it\u2019s about 80 km (less than an hour and a half) along a road with stunning scenery. It\u2019s not so close from Lisbon<\/a> \u2013 more than 300 km.<\/p>\n

A. Po\u00e7o da Barreira Waterfall<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Once you park your car in the parking lot near the bridge, go down the path along the stream. To get a better look at the waterfall, you should cross the river on the rocks and climb a little higher up the slope – it sounds scary, but in fact, it\u2019s not so scary.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

There is no convenient access to the water. To swim, you will need more dexterity and courage. The bravest ones jump into a natural well from the top level or slide down a small stream on their butts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

On this visit there were a lot of people at the waterfall – the guys were doing canyoning. I\u2019ll leave here the website of the company<\/a> that organizes such things.<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

B. Po\u00e7o Negro Falls<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This is my favorite waterfall on Serre da Freita. But getting to it is more difficult than the previous one. At some point, the asphalt road will end and a rather steep descent will begin along a dirt road with potholes. If your car can get to the parking lot at the gate, great, shorten the walking distance. But we didn\u2019t take the risk and left the car higher.\u00a0<\/p>\n

From the cliff at the gate you can see the waterfall and the surrounding forest – the photo<\/a>, unfortunately, does not convey all the beauty of nature.<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

To get to the waterfall itself, you need to go to the picnic area and find a descent to the left of it – there is complete off-road there, but this paradise is worth such an adventure!<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

“Posu Negru” is translated as “black pit”. This place is called so because of its depth. The color of the reservoir is mesmerizing – bright emerald. The stones surrounding the natural well make it quite comfortable to enter the water. But be prepared: it is very cold there, one might even say icy. This didn't stop me. I dived into the pool, jumped into it from rocks, and even stood under the shower from the waterfall.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

C.<\/strong> Swing of S\u00e3o Pedro do Sul<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Swings in Portugal are installed on many viewpoints. It\u2019s great to swing on them, looking at the panorama. This location offers views of the S\u00e3o Pedro do Sul region and the Vouga River. And what photos and videos you get from such locations – they will definitely get a ton of likes!\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

D. Po\u00e7o Azul Waterfall<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although “azul” means “blue,” the water in this place is the same green as in previous posu. But the waterfall itself looks different: it is a series of low cascades with small bowls in which you can swim. The pits are filled with a mountain stream, which means the water will be as cold as in previous sources.<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

Pay attention to the boulders near the waterfall – they depict different designs: large eyes and female silhouettes. These granite engravings appeared in the early 21st century thanks to local sculptor Custodio Almeida.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

Posu Azul is a popular destination. In the heat, there is no place for an apple to fall on the rocks and in natural pools, especially after lunch. The road to the cascade is improved: about 500 meters along the path, and then down the stone steps.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

E. City of S\u00e3o Pedro do<\/strong> Sul<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This cute town with a population of 3.5 thousand people is famous for its thermal springs (Termas de S\u00e3o Pedro do Sul<\/em><\/strong>)<\/em>. Water baths appeared here under the Romans<\/a> – more than 2 thousand years ago.<\/p>\n

\"Swimming<\/a><\/p>\n

Healing springs were also popular later, including among the Portuguese nobility. And even now the baths of Sao Pedro do Sul are considered cool – the largest in Portugal and one of the best in Europe.<\/p>\n

Sulfurous, low-mineralized water, temperature 67\u00baC<\/a>, comes naturally from the ground. To make it comfortable for a person to take therapeutic baths, water is passed through a heat exchange system and cooled to 37\u00baC. Hot springs help with respiratory problems and rheumatology.<\/p>\n

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