The Bussaco Forest Foundation achieved in August the best operational, tourist and financial result in its 17 years of existence, with a 25% growth compared to the same period of 2025. This performance also represents a 20% increase relative to the best result previously recorded since the creation of the institution. Total billing reached approximately 175 thousand euros in August of this year, not including the last day of the month, while in the previous year it was about 135 thousand euros. These revenues include admissions, sales at the shop and bar, tourist office, tuk-tuk usage and holding of events.
The number of visitors also increased significantly. In August of last year, 7,310 vehicles entered the Bussaco Forest, while this year, not counting the last day of the month, 8,750 had already been registered. At the Convent of Santa Cruz do Bussaco, admissions rose from 3,660 in August 2025 to 4,830 in the same period this year.
The chairman of the board of directors of the foundation, Gonçalo Breda Marques, attributed the results to the joint work of employees, visitors, institutional partners and entities responsible for supervision, also highlighting the contribution of heritage dissemination. In July, the Bussaco National Forest received certification as the first Therapeutic Forest on the Iberian Peninsula, joining a group of four forests with this certification worldwide.
The Bussaco Forest is located in the parish of Luso, in the municipality of Mealhada, was classified as a national monument in December 2017, covers approximately 105 hectares and has about 250 species of trees and shrubs.
