Why Is Caramulo Into Motorsports? History, Curiosities and the Spirit of Portugal's Biggest Motor Festival

Every September, the Serra do Caramulo transforms. The mountain roads fill with the sound of roaring engines, the smell of high-octane fuel mixes with pine and mountain air, and tens of thousands of visitors arrive from across Portugal and the world. The Caramulo Motorfestival is not just the biggest motorsport event in Portugal. It is one of the most important historic motor festivals in Europe. But how did a small mountain village become the epicentre of Portuguese car culture? The answer starts more than 70 years ago.

A Village at 1,000 Metres With an Unlikely Passion

Caramulo is a village perched at around 1,000 metres of altitude in the heart of central Portugal. For much of the twentieth century, it was known primarily as a health destination, a place where patients came to breathe clean mountain air and recover in purpose-built sanatoriums. What changed everything was the vision of one man and his love of beautiful machines.

The Museum That Started It All

In 1955, Joao de Lacerda purchased a 1925 Ford Model T. That single acquisition was the seed of what would become the Museu do Caramulo, one of the finest automotive collections in Europe. Over the following decades, the museum grew into a remarkable treasure: vintage Bugattis, pre-war racing machines, rare motorcycles and bicycles, all sharing space with an equally surprising art collection featuring works by Salvador Dali and Picasso. The combination of horsepower and high art became the signature identity of Caramulo.

The Museu do Caramulo did not simply preserve cars behind glass. It created a living culture around them. And from that culture, a festival was born.

From Collection to Celebration: The Birth of the Festival

The Caramulo Motorfestival was born from the museum's mission: to keep automotive heritage alive and accessible. What began as a regional gathering of classic car enthusiasts has grown into an internationally recognised event. The 2025 edition marked the 20th anniversary of the festival, bringing together nearly 200 automobiles and motorcycles from across the world over three days in early September.

The festival is organised by the Museu do Caramulo and takes place every year in early September. It is registered with FIVA, the Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens, the global governing body for historic vehicles. This places Caramulo alongside the most prestigious historic motorsport events in the world.

The Hill Climb: Soul of the Festival

The centrepiece of the festival is the Castrol Historic Hill Climb, also known as the Rampa Historica do Caramulo. The course stretches approximately 2.8 kilometres up the mountain road, and it is where drivers push historic machines to their limits on a narrow, challenging strip of asphalt surrounded by forest. Watching pre-war racers, classic rally icons like the Lancia Delta and Subaru Impreza, and modern supercars tackle this course is one of the great spectacles in Portuguese motorsport.

The hill climb starts each morning at 9am, and access to watch from the roadside is free. The sound of engines bouncing off the mist-covered peaks is something that stays with you long after the weekend is over.

Much More Than a Race

The Caramulo Motorfestival is designed for car enthusiasts and families alike. Beyond the hill climb, the programme includes classic car and motorcycle parades through the village streets, an Automobilia Fair where you can buy and sell vintage parts and memorabilia, an air show with historic aircraft, an off-road track and bivouac area, a dedicated Bikersville zone for motorcycle fans, simulators and junior tracks for younger visitors, and the Motorlandia children's fun park. The museum collection stays open throughout the weekend, and you have a full three days with something for everyone.

Owners of classic cars can also participate directly by purchasing a Motor Pack, which grants access to special parking areas and entry into the official parades. It is a festival where the cars are not just on display but part of the living event.

Portugal's Answer to Goodwood

Internationally, the Caramulo Motorfestival is often compared to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom, one of the most celebrated historic motor events in the world. Both combine competitive hill climb action with a broad programme of automotive culture, heritage and entertainment. Both draw true enthusiasts alongside casual visitors discovering the world of classic cars for the first time.

The festival welcomes over 40,000 visitors across the three days of the September edition. Guest drivers from across Europe and beyond take part in the hill climb, and the event has built a reputation for delivering an atmosphere that is both competitive and deeply welcoming.

Practical Information

The next edition takes place from September 4 to 6, 2026. Outdoor access to watch the hill climb and explore the village is free. Museum entry costs between 9 and 15 euros. Caramulo is about 1 hour from Viseu and Aveiro, and 1h30 from Porto. Free parking is available on site.

Experience the Festival from Avenida CoLab

Avenida CoLab is located in the heart of Caramulo, just steps from the festival action. During Motorfestival weekend, the space comes alive with the energy of the event. Whether you are visiting for the day or spending the full weekend in the mountains, we are here to welcome you. Come by for a coffee between races and discover why Caramulo is so much more than a festival destination.

The Motorfestival happens once a year. The mountains, the clean air, and the community are here all year round. We hope to see you soon.