Peneda-Gerês National Park (Parque Nacional Da Peneda-Gerês) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Peneda-Gerês National Park. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• From Porto: Waterfall, Lagoon, Old Village in Gerês National Park

• Small-Group Geres National Park Full Day with Picnic from Porto

• Kayaking and Waterfall in Peneda-Gerês National Park from Porto

• Private Geres National Park Tour with Lunch and Transfers

• 3 Wonderful Waterfalls in a Day

There’s no admission fee to access Peneda-Gerês National Park in Northern Portugal, and the hiking trails and scenery can be visited freely, with or without a guide. However, if you want to visit the Mata de Albergaria, the country’s oldest forest, then there is a nominal fee per car. Most people choose to visit on organized tours; prices start from roughly US$80.

Yes, it's definitely worth visiting Peneda-Gerês National Park, as it's one of the top attractions in Northern Portugal for outdoorsy travelers. Add to that the fact that it's Portugal's only national park, and you really can't miss this particular spot, just a 1.5-hour drive north of Porto. Given its size and location, most people visit as part of an organized tour that includes transportation, a guide, and stops at the park's major sights.

Per one customer who booked the From Porto: Waterfall, Lagoon, Old Village in Gerês National Park, "We had a spectacular day at Peneda Geres National Park! Ricardo was such a knowledgeable guide and truly loves to share his country with people. The hikes, lagoon swims, scenery, and village were simply outstanding!"

Peneda-Gerês National Park is an outdoor destination with most of its attractions involving outdoor activities or viewpoints where you can enjoy its mountain scenery. Popular attractions in the park include the Miradouro da Pedra Bela viewpoint, old grain silos in Lindoso and Soajo, Arado Waterfall, and Poco Azul lagoon.

Hiking is the most popular activity at Peneda-Gerês National Park as it looks at the park’s rugged mountains and valleys. But there are other activities to keep you entertained, from swimming and kayaking from the small beaches along the Cávado River to canyoning down waterfalls, ziplining, and mastering rope courses.

Visitors may see various animals in Peneda-Gerês National Park, from domestic animals to wild creatures. Garrano ponies, Barrosã cattle, and Portuguese cattle dogs are common sights in the national park, alongside goats and sheep. Less common are the roe deer and Iberian wolves that call the park home.

Yes, visitors can camp inside Peneda-Gerês National Park. Camping sites where you can pitch a tent include Parque Cerdeira, Gerês Vidoeiro, and Ermida Gerês. If you'd rather not brave the elements, these campgrounds often also have space for caravans and accommodations, such as pods and bungalows.

What you bring to the park depends on how long you visit. For a day trip, bring walking shoes, snacks, and water, as well as swimwear and a towel. If you stay a while or go camping, bring all your supplies, as there are few places to buy groceries.

Peneda-Gerês National Park offers a wide variety of accommodations. The park is home to hotels, hostels, and lodges of varying comfort levels, much of which is located on the park’s southern edge by the Cávado River. Campers can set up tents at campsites in several places around the park.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Peneda-Gerês National Park. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Northern Portugal:

• Douro River (Rio Douro)

• Porto Cathedral (Sé Catedral do Porto)

• Dom Luis Bridge (Ponte de Dom Luis I)

• Clérigos Church and Tower (Torre & Igreja dos Clérigos)

• Palace of the Stock Exchange (Palácio da Bolsa)

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Northern Portugal.