There are thousands of protected forests, but only four sites recognized in this very particular circle. The Mata Nacional do Bussaco, in central Portugal, has just become the first certified therapeutic forest in the Iberian Peninsula. Behind this rare distinction lies a powerful idea: nature is no longer just a backdrop to visit, but an organized space to support well-being and certain care, without ever replacing medicine.
The certification, awarded in July 2026 by the Healing Forest â International Certification Office, propels Bussaco alongside three sites located in Austria and Germany. The announcement resonates well beyond Portugal. It comes at a time when wellness tourism is on the rise, cities are seeking answers to chronic stress, and the effects of contact with green spaces are increasingly of interest to researchers and health professionals.
A Portuguese Domain Joins a Club of Four Global Sites
Located in the parish of Luso, in the municipality of Mealhada, the Bussaco National Forest covers approximately 105 hectares. Its size may seem modest, but its heritage density is exceptional. The foundation managing it lists nearly 250 species of trees and shrubs, making it one of the most remarkable dendrological collections in Europe.
The site brings together several environments: an arboretum, gardens, the fern valley, a relic forest, and a pine forest. Its history, architecture, and biodiversity earned it the status of a Portuguese national monument in 2017. The new certification adds a contemporary function to this heritage: hosting guided walks and programs centered around contact with the forest.
The president of the Bussaco Foundation, Gonçalo Breda Marques, presented this ranking as a global status accompanied by a strong responsibility. The central message is clear: the label must not become a mere advertising formula. It commits the manager to the quality of the paths, the training of facilitators, the preservation of life, and the ability to welcome the public without deteriorating the site.
What âTherapeutic Forestâ Really Means
A therapeutic forest is not an open-air hospital, and its trees are not presented as medicines. The certification designates a space whose natural characteristics and arrangements allow for structured uses: noise reduction, visual protection, paths of varying difficulties, resting areas, and spaces adapted for specific exercises.
The framework involves the intervention of qualified professionals. Activities may include slow walking, paying attention to sounds and smells, breathing exercises, or relaxation sequences. In a health context, these practices can complement conventional care. They must neither promise a cure nor encourage a person to discontinue treatment.
The Numbers That Make Bussaco Unique
- 4 sites: the number of therapeutic forests cited as certified worldwide, including Bussaco.
- 1st: Bussaco’s rank in the Iberian Peninsula.
- 105 hectares: the approximate area of the domain.
- 250 species: the announced richness of its collection of trees and shrubs.
- 2031: the validity deadline indicated for the current certification.
From Japanese Shinrin-Yoku to European Tourism
The idea of âforest bathingâ is often associated with the Japanese term shinrin-yoku, developed in Japan since the 1980s. The principle is not to cover as many kilometers as possible, but to slow down and engage the senses. The global success of this practice has gradually created a market composed of guides, retreats, training, and specialized destinations.
Scientific studies have linked regular exposure to green spaces with favorable effects on stress, mood, sleep, and certain cardiovascular indicators. However, results vary according to protocols, studied populations, and the duration of experiences. Caution remains essential: discussing possible and measured benefits in certain contexts is more accurate than claiming that the forest âcures everything.â
This nuance is precisely what can distinguish Bussaco from a passing trend. The value of the project will depend on its ability to document programs, work with competent professionals, and clearly explain the limits of the approach. The label attracts attention; credibility will be earned through method.
A New Card to Play for Portugal
For Portugal, Bussaco becomes a differentiating tourist product. The country is already known for Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve, and its beaches. The forest offers another narrative: that of a slower stay, linked to nature, prevention, and heritage. The proximity of the Luso thermal baths reinforces this coherence and can encourage offers combining accommodation, relaxation, forest activities, and cultural discovery.
The economic potential is real. Trips dedicated to wellness often attract visitors willing to stay longer and spend on local services. Guides, hotels, restaurants, thermal centers, and regional producers can benefit. Bussaco thus offers the interior of the country an international visibility rarely accessible to a site of this size.
France and the rest of Europe will likely observe the experience. Many French regions have forests, thermal stations, and a tradition of health tourism. If the Portuguese model proves it can combine scientific demands, local benefits, and conservation, other territories may seek comparable certification.
The Trap of Success: Protecting the Forest We Come to Celebrate
International recognition can also weaken Bussaco. More visitors mean more pressure on trails, parking, waste, and water needs. An experience based on tranquility would lose its meaning if the site became saturated. The foundation will therefore have to arbitrate between access, capacity, and protection.
Climate change adds a major constraint. The forests of southern Europe are exposed to droughts, heatwaves, fires, and pests. Promoting Bussaco as a health space first requires ensuring the health of its ecosystem. The tourism generated by the label must contribute to the maintenance, prevention, and scientific knowledge of the domain.
Governance will thus be the true test. Reserving certain slots for structured programs, measuring flows, protecting sensitive areas, and publishing transparent indicators would help avoid reducing the term âtherapeuticâ to a marketing label.
The Signal That the Travel World Cannot Ignore
The certification of Bussaco tells a profound transformation of tourism. After years dominated by speed, lists of places to photograph, and overcrowded destinations, part of the public is now seeking silence, time, and a personal experience. A 105-hectare forest can suddenly become a global reference because it meets this desire with a precise framework.
Bussaco does not promise a miracle: it offers a model. That of a natural heritage used methodically, connected to well-being without misleading medical discourse, and capable of creating local value. If Portugal protects this ambition against over-visitation and excessive promises, its first therapeutic forest could inspire far beyond the Iberian Peninsula.
Reliable Sources
- Euronews â certification, criteria, and characteristics of the Bussaco forest, July 27, 2026
- Fundação Mata do Bussaco â official information about the domain, its heritage, and management
- The Portugal News / Lusa â announcement of the certification and statement from the foundation, July 9, 2026
- iNature / Forest Therapy Hub â scope of the label, nature tourism, and biodiversity preservation, July 2026
