Nestled among the mountains of northern Portugal, the waters of Lake Vilarinho das Furnas mirror forest-covered peaks and clouds that seem to drift just above the summits. The silence is broken only by the wind, birdsong, and the occasional hikers who come to enjoy this largely unspoilt setting. It is hard to imagine that an entire village lies beneath these peaceful waters.
Located within the Peneda-Gerês National Park, Lake Vilarinho das Furnas is considered one of the most spectacular landscapes in northern Portugal. Created following the construction of a dam in the 1970s, the lake submerged the former village of the same name, parts of which still re-emerge whenever the water level drops.
A lake born from a lost village
Before the hydroelectric dam was built, Vilarinho das Furnas was a small communal village tucked away in the mountains. In 1972, its inhabitants left the area for good before the valley was flooded.
Even today, when drought causes the lake level to fall, remnants of houses, stone walls, and old pathways briefly reappear.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_uqtKHQ-Vw
One of Portugal’s most beautiful natural settings
Surrounding the lake, the Peneda-Gerês National Park unfolds in a landscape of striking wilderness: granite mountains, waterfalls, dense forests, and hiking trails winding through the valleys. The lake’s calm waters also attract kayaking enthusiasts, swimmers, and those looking for a peaceful picnic away from Portugal’s busy seaside resorts.
In summer, the late afternoon light takes on an almost golden hue, enhancing the green and blue reflections shimmering across the water. The region is also home to well-preserved wildlife, including wild Garrano horses, deer, and birds of prey that can be spotted in certain parts of the park.
A destination still largely untouched
Unlike the great Italian lakes or the crowded beaches of the Algarve, Vilarinho das Furnas has retained a much slower pace of life. The neighbouring villages still revolve largely around rural traditions and local gastronomy.
Spring and early autumn remain the best times to discover the region, although summer attracts many Portuguese visitors seeking cooler temperatures in the mountains. Here, Portugal reveals a more secretive, wilder, and infinitely more peaceful side of itself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJICe8bxvs4
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