Shepherd and cheese fair next to the town hall in Penalva do Castelo, with tastings of Serra da Estrela cheese, Penalva Dão wine, broa and Bravo de Esmolfe apples, and choirs and concertina groups. The municipality reported thousands of visitors at the 35th, held in February 2026.
Serra da Estrela's paste is buttery, unctuous and only slightly acidulous. A dry Encruzado white has the acidity to cut that cream and enough texture of its own to match the cheese's soft, rich body.
Velho is strong to slightly strong, lightly peppery and salty, with a persistent aroma. A Touriga Nacional-led Dão red has the structure to hold up beside it, and the salt and aged fat of the cheese take some edge off the wine's grip.
Requeijão is eaten with honey or pumpkin preserve, so a sweet wine follows the same line. A late-harvest Dão white, soft and full with low acidity, matches the creamy white curd rather than cutting through it.
Address: Next to the Paços do Concelho, Penalva do Castelo, Dão
Cheese festival in Oliveira do Hospital's town centre, which the municipality bills as Portugal's largest, with hundreds of exhibitors, cheese and Dão wine tastings, live cheesemaking, sheep shearing and livestock shows. The 2026 festival was held in March.
Cheese market in and around Gouveia's municipal market: live Serra da Estrela cheesemaking by a queijeira, public tastings, a session on requeijão, a sheep and goat fair with a Serra da Estrela dog show, and a cheese and wine pairing workshop and commented tastings of regional aguardentes and olive oils that need pre-registration. The 2026 market was held in March.
Annual fair in Fornos de Algodres' municipal market with a Serra da Estrela sheep competition, public cheese tastings, showcooking, children's workshops, concerts and guided visits to artisan cheese dairies. The 47th was held in March 2026.
Municipal museum in a renovated old building at one of the entrances to Celorico da Beira, in honour of the shepherd and farmer. The municipality says it offers demonstrations of artisan cheesemaking and visits to local cheese producers, all by prior booking. Listings give different street addresses, so confirm the location with the tourist office (271 743 777) first.
Walk or mountain-bike ride on the Sunday of Celorico's Feira do Queijo, with requeijão and cheese tastings along the way: an 11 km walk by the Mondego and a ride whose length changes each year (26 or 44 km in 2026). Places are limited and registration runs through Apedalar.
Turismo Centro's route of 46 operators and more than 50 experiences across the Serra da Estrela, Beira Baixa and Rabaçal DOP cheese regions. Its two-day Serra da Estrela itinerary covers Manteigas and Oliveira do Hospital, with cheesemaking and pastoral life.
After hotel pickup in Coimbra, we take direction to activity start in Viseu. Day dedicated to bicycle touring on an old railway branch that has 130 years of transpor...
