Bussaco

Come and discover the forest guardian of stories. Refuge of monks and kings, the Mata do Buçaco enchants for its greenery and variety of botanical species present. In these hills are alive, the memories of the battle between the Anglo-Portuguese troops commanded by Wellington and the French troops. 

The hunting lodge of King D. Carlos, in revivalist style, transformed into a Palace Hotel, is a landmark in the landscape.

The Bussaco National Forest is covered by a veil of mystery, protected by its rare and sometimes primitive vegetation. Its 11 entrances invite visitors to discover a natural and cultural heritage through an intoxicating journey through time. Immerse yourself in the forest and be surprised by the 80 species of birds that live there, walk through the Vale dos Fetos and refresh yourself in the countless fountains that you will find along the way. Choose one of the numerous footpathes and let yourself be taken to the highest part of the forest where you will find a forest untouched by man.

The Bussaco National Forest occupies 105 hectares and has one of the best dendrological collections in Europe, with around 250 species of trees and shrubs with notable specimens. It is one of the richest national forests in natural, architectural, and cultural heritage, and can be divided into three landscape units: Arboretum, Gardens and Vale dos Fetos and Relic Forest.

Its monumental ensemble is classified as a Property of Public Interest and includes the Palace Hotel do Bussaco, the Convent of Santa Cruz, the hermitages, the chapels of devotion and the Steps that make up the Via Sacra, the Fence with the Doors, the Military Museum and the commemorative monument of the Battle of Bussaco, the cruises, the fountains (the Fonte Fria stand out) and the cisterns, the viewpoints (the one at Cruz Alta offers a privileged view over the entire region) or the forest houses.

The Bussaco National Forest provides food, shelter, and refuge for more than one hundred and a half species of vertebrates, some of them of great conservation value. The biodiversity found in the forest shows the uniqueness and heritage value of this magical space in the municipality of Mealhada.

Schedule services | Mata Tolls:

During the week: 9am > 6pm | weekends and holidays: 9am > 7pm

During the week: 9am > 7pm | weekends and holidays: 9am > 8pm

Entry value*:

* Before visiting, please confirm the current prices.