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I could be wrong, but I don't see humidity per se as a real issue in Portugal.  Except in the Portuguese language, where umidade refers to moisture whether in vapor or liquid form - it rains during the winter, and houses are often prone to damp and mold problems.  The north historically gets much more rain, and it's cooler.

It would surely help you see what's going on, if you could explore these areas with Google Maps.  Use the "terrain" feature to look for topography, find out how to use "street view".

I'm from Seattle, and "mountains" means to me ... the city is at sea level, and lies between mountain ranges about 100km apart that are like 7000 feet.   Anything like that in Portugal?  Nope.  Snow is a remarkable spectacle when it happens - people drive up from miles around.   Just at a glance, Hungary looks flatter than Portugal.  It's all relative, but I will say you may be the first person in a long time I've heard of coming to Portugal for cool weather and mountains.

Look at the Azores while you're looking around.

Hi and Welcome,

I'd suggest looking somewhere like the Oliveira do Hospital area which is near mountains and river valleys but also has the basic things like hospitals, dentists, transport. There are few houses in the real mountains due to access and difficulty in subsistence farming there. Generally there is no snow in Portugal but round this area there are numerous properties of the type  Quinta (small farm) which people have been leaving due to lack of work opportunities etc.  Most places in Portugal will be damp in the rainy season Dec/Jan but this far inland warm/hot and dry in summer without the humidity from the Atlantic coast. One of the emerging problems is water or mainly lack of water which places in the mountains may suffer more.

A website with places for sale around this area

Where there are places like

I have no connection with either of these.

Good Luck

Hi Juliet,

You'll always find humidity, because the climate is Atlantic.

The whole inland part of the north/centre has mountains. The biggest are in Guarda/Covilhã/Serra da Estrela. That's where you'll find the most snow in winter. There are also beautiful places with mountains in the Minho region, near the Gerês National Park, where it also snows most years. Many houses over 20 years old may not be insulated, so you should be aware of this. The Algarve has a mostly flat coastline, and then there are mountains in the north (Serra do Caldeirão).

In the Serra da Lousã and other places in the centre there is also snow in winter.

You can search for these places on youtube with the word "neve" (snow).

Estrela  (Nort-East)

Lousã  (Centre)

Gerês  (North-West)

Marão (North-East)

....

Regards

Northern Portugal is mountainous like western Switzerland. Not at all like the Alps, but the part where there are valleys and mountains between them. You will very seldom see snow on them but they are extremely strenuous to try to climb.

Interesting... thanks so much for all the info much appreciated!!

I was just watching youtube video where family bought abandoned homestead in Amarante, Portugal (northern part of Portugal). The landscape is beautiful there also. I think, not sure, but I think I saw snow capped mountains in the distance from their backyard so that is cool.

I am HOPING to get "snow out of my system". I might be living where it snows a lot for a year or two starting next year and I hope to realize I might not need it in my life. This would make it a lot easier to find place to live as my forever home. I am OBSESSED with growing my own food and without snow... that makes things easier! I have lived where it snows before... but its been a while. Hopefully I will get it out of my system so I can enjoy growing my own food more where there is no or little snow.

It appears that southern Portugal has much hotter climate than Northern? For example the Algarve (Fargo District).. Since I much prefer cooler weather it appears I really should stick to looking at the Northern areas of Portugal.

The one thing Hungary and Portugal have in common is that they are both super TINY countries. It's crazy when you think about it. Florida is bigger than the entire country... that's crazy and difficult to wrap my mind around!

@JohnnyPT ... thanks so much for those links. Wow, that is a LOT of snow!

With water, also makes it easier to grow things.  Snow is just a type of rain.  A lot of people steer clear of the north end of the country for fear of rain, but the rain really an asset.  And if it discourages expats, that means real estate could be less expensive.

    With water, also makes it easier to grow things.  Snow is just a type of rain.  A lot of people steer clear of the north end of the country for fear of rain, but the rain really an asset.  And if it discourages expats, that means real estate could be less expensive.
   

    -@donn25

Thanks yes that's a good thing then! I actually like rain. When it's raining it makes it feel so cozy inside.

@juliet1980

Hi Juliet,

I see you asked this question 5 months ago so you've probably had all the information that you need however you could check out the area around the city of Covilha.... it is near (approximately 10 miles) the ski centre in the very mountains you mentioned and the surrounding area/ villages and even hamlets are lovely. The climate is very similar to what we have in Scotland with slightly  hotter summers - it is not sticky in the summer and it is cold in the winter but not too cold. I adjust easily when I visit and we will be living there permanently from the end of April 2024.

We have bought a house in the village of Sarzedo and if I knew how to attach pictures I'd send you the view from our windows. Like yourself I love the view, mountains and remoteness but I still want to be near enough to people incase I need them.

The people of our village have welcomed us very warmly but have made it clear that they expect us to learn to speak with them in Portuguese (even though enough of them speak very good English) and quite rightly so!

If you are practical and able to cater for yourself there are many cheaper properties in this area and a multitude of gorgeous old properties that need renovating and many come with land.

The local authorities and people living in these types of villages love to have outsiders come to their area- it helps keep the village alive and interesting so I certainly wouldn't put you off moving to his type of place. Our village still has good old fashioned values and make do with many simple pleasures. It reminds me of when I was a kid in he 1980's. The community feel is super, welcoming and safe.

Good luck with everything and I hope you find what you are looking for.

Regards

Diane

This Forum is amazing! I am also planning to move to portugal and also looking for a place with snow Funn enough I also grew up in Hungary but live in an english speaking country atm.

Your and Diane's research helped me a lot! If anyone has any more suggestion please feel free to share!

Vila Pouca de Aguiar near Vila Real. Has plenty snow.