Tourism across the Beiras and Serra da Estrela region continues to grow strongly, with new figures suggesting that the area is increasingly becoming a year-round destination rather than simply a summer escape or winter snow trip.
Data released by the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE) and highlighted by the Comunidade Intermunicipal das Beiras e Serra da Estrela (CIMRBSE) shows that the region has been outperforming the wider Centro region in both visitor numbers and overnight stays.
In December 2025, the region recorded 99,533 overnight stays — an increase of 18.11% compared to the same month in 2024. Guest numbers rose even more sharply, increasing by 24.01% to reach 62,084 visitors.
The momentum has continued into 2026.
January brought 90,653 overnight stays and 58,787 guests, while February recorded 82,197 overnight stays and 51,954 visitors. Across the first two months of the year combined, overnight stays rose by 14.54%, with guest numbers increasing by 11.06%.
Those growth rates were well above the wider Centro region average.
More Visitors Are Discovering Inland Portugal
For many people living in the region, the figures reflect something that has become increasingly noticeable over recent years — more foreign number plates, busier rural accommodation and visitors appearing outside the traditional tourist season.
The Beiras region has benefited from a growing interest in inland Portugal, particularly among travellers looking for quieter destinations focused on nature, food, history and outdoor activities rather than crowded coastal resorts.
National tourism authorities have also been actively promoting low-density inland regions as alternatives to Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve, with increased focus on walking routes, cultural tourism, gastronomy and nature-based travel.
That places the Beiras and Serra da Estrela area in a strong position, thanks to its combination of mountain scenery, historic villages, river beaches, hiking trails and traditional food culture.
What It Means for the Region
The continued growth is positive news for many local businesses, particularly smaller restaurants, alojamento local properties and rural tourism operators that have traditionally relied heavily on peak summer months.
A more stable year-round tourism economy could help support jobs and businesses across inland municipalities that continue to face challenges linked to ageing populations and declining services.
The figures also underline the growing importance of the region within central Portugal tourism overall. In January 2026, Beiras and Serra da Estrela accounted for 21.6% of all overnight stays across the Centro region.
While the Beiras remains far removed from the overcrowding seen in some parts of Portugal, tourism is clearly becoming a more important part of the local economy — and one that many communities will hope can continue growing without losing the character that attracts visitors in the first place.
Sources
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Jornal O Interior — https://www.ointerior.pt/
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Seia Digital — https://seiadigital.pt/2026/05/20/turismo-nas-beiras-e-serra-da-estrela-cresce-acima-da-media-regional/
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CIM Beiras e Serra da Estrela — https://www.cimrbse.pt/
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Travel Tomorrow — https://traveltomorrow.com/portugal-invests-11-million-to-drive-tourism-growth-in-less-visited-inland-regions/
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Euronews Travel — https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/04/21/looking-inland-portugal-to-boost-regional-tourism-with-11-million-projects