Fundão’s tourism offering is built upon four core pillars: Monumental Heritage, Culture, Nature, and Gastronomy — making it a truly distinctive destination, ideal for unforgettable experiences.
Nature lovers will find in the Gardunha Mountain Range and across the municipality of Fundão some of the cleanest air in Portugal. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of active tourism activities such as hiking, climbing, fishing and hunting — or, for a more ecological experience, explore scenic viewpoints, wildlife observatories, nature reserves and refreshing river beaches.
The region also stands out for its rich cultural scene and culinary heritage, with local products such as cherries, olive oil and wild mushrooms taking centre stage.
Additionally, Fundão is well-prepared to host meetings and seminars, offering a variety of venues equipped for business and institutional events.
Aldeia Histórica de Castelo Novo
Made of granite — unmistakably — with colourful doors, flower-filled balconies, and above all, a place you’ll want to return to.
If you're looking to immerse yourself in history and heritage, Castelo Novo is among the finest examples.
We invite you to walk through this Historical Village of Portugal and let yourself be captured by the words of José Saramago.
Climbing to the castle is an experience in itself — the perfect place to recharge, gaze out over the Gardunha Mountain Range, watch time stand still as swallows dance above the bell tower, or simply soak in the atmosphere of a truly unforgettable place.
Aldeia de Montanha de Alpedrinha
Birthplace of one of Portugal’s most renowned cardinals, D. Jorge da Costa, the village of Alpedrinha also bears the scars of the Napoleonic Invasions.
Carved into the eastern slopes of the Gardunha Mountains, its granite streets lead you uphill — guided by the silhouette of the parish church towers and the winding paths that reveal impressive stone buildings, textured by the raw grain of the mountain rock.
Aldeia do Xisto de Janeiro de Cima
A truly unique village — and with good reason.
Built using smooth river stones gathered from the banks of the Zêzere River, Janeiro de Cima enchants visitors with its traditional architecture: a labyrinth of narrow lanes, winding alleys and flowered balconies, full of hidden corners to discover.
If you’ve never tried a manual loom, this is your chance. Step into the Casa das Tecedeiras (Weavers’ House) in the heart of the village and uncover the full story of linen — once cultivated along the riverside and now transformed into contemporary, handcrafted pieces by the village’s skilled weavers.
Centro Histórico do Fundão
At first glance, the name Fundão might conjure up the image of a town where the sun only reaches at midday. But those who visit are quickly captivated by its sense of space, the sweeping views over the Serra da Estrela, and — above all — the welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel right at home.
The city’s symbol is a fruit tree, a reflection of its deeply rooted agricultural origins.
Calm, safe and full of charm, Fundão offers a wide array of attractions to discover at your own pace.
Message from the Mayor
Paulo Alexandre Bernardo Fernandes
Viticulture is not merely a tradition in the municipality of Fundão — it is a lived environment, shaping the rural landscape of Cova da Beira in a way that is both enduring and unique.
Indeed, archaeological excavations at Torre dos Namorados, in the parish of Vale de Prazeres e Mata da Rainha — a site rich in history, legend and mystery — revealed hundreds of carbonised grape seeds, proving that wine was being produced here as early as the 2nd century AD. These seeds represent the first time in Portugal that Roman-period grape pips have been successfully dated, placing Fundão at the centre of national and international scientific efforts to study the age-old ties between wine and civilisation.
The grape harvest was once one of the most socially significant moments in the traditional agricultural calendar of the municipality — marked by sounds, colours and celebratory rituals deeply engraved in the collective memory of our communities. The labour, the rhythm and the materials of viticulture form a living heritage we are committed to safeguarding, even as we welcome the renewal of our landscapes and methods.
In 1949, a visionary group of citizens founded the Fundão Wine Cooperative, giving new structure to this ancestral practice. Through perseverance, effort, and a forward-looking spirit, they built an institution that still plays a vital role in the regional economy. The Cooperative has long protected small winegrowers, promoting fair and sustainable practices, and consistently striving for quality and excellence.
The terroir of Fundão is constantly evolving — rooted in native grape varieties and nurtured by collaboration across the broader region, from Castelo Rodrigo to Cova da Beira, via Pinhel. A route, as the word suggests, is a path that connects and crosses through. Derived from the Latin rupta, meaning "cleared way", it symbolises a journey forged together — a path we must continue to walk and shape.
Today, wine tourism stands at the forefront of this journey — blending production, flavour and unforgettable experiences. Wine becomes a liquid bridge between cultures, memories and sensations. The Fundão Cooperative’s own identity draws on this symbolism, featuring a Roman bronze statuette discovered locally — likely depicting a young Bacchus, arms raised, holding a basket overflowing with grapes.
And when we contemplate the vineyards of our Beira region, the words of Eugénio de Andrade come to mind:
“Rarely has autumn lingered
so long upon these waters / without veiling them in mist.
From the hills descends / the wine — soon to reach the streets:
only it remains new, only / it dances. You and I / go with the leaves,
the last birds: so light / what we leave as inheritance.”
