Portugal Under Yellow Alert as Heatwave Sparks Wildfire Fears - Sintra Landmarks Closed

Heatwave Puts Portugal on High Alert

A scorching heatwave has led to a yellow weather alert across most of Portugal, with 14 districts on the mainland and parts of Madeira experiencing dangerously high temperatures. Only Aveiro, Coimbra, Leiria, and Lisbon were initially spared, but Coimbra will join the alert by Monday. By Tuesday, the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) predicts that all 18 mainland districts will be under alert.

Record-breaking temperatures were recorded, with Alvega in Abrantes hitting 39.8°C and Tomar reaching 39°C. Even during the early hours, temperatures remained high, with Portalegre registering 26.3°C at 4 AM.

Wildfire Danger Forces Landmark Closures

Due to the extremely high risk of wildfires, the Sintra City Council has decided to close the forest perimeter and several monuments within the Serra de Sintra until Wednesday. Affected sites include:

• Park and Palace of Pena
• Convent of the Capuchos
• Park and Palace of Monserrate
• Castle of the Moors

However, Quinta da Regaleira, the National Palace of Sintra, and the National Palace of Queluz will remain open.

The neighboring Cascais Municipality, also part of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, has issued a Municipal Alert Declaration to protect lives and natural heritage. Until Tuesday, access to forested areas in Cascais—including Rua dos Capuchos, Pedra Amarela Base Camp, Rio da Mula Dam, and Quinta do Pisão—is prohibited for both pedestrians and vehicles.