It is the most mountainous region of mainland Portugal, comprising some of the highest peaks in the country. The climate is very continental, with significant temperature variations, short, hot, and dry summers, and long, very cold winters.

The soils are predominantly granitic, with some schistous areas and, more rarely, sandy ones.

The Beira Interior is divided into three sub-regions: Castelo Rodrigo, Pinhel, and Cova da Beira. Castelo Rodrigo and Pinhel share similar characteristics, although they are separated by mountain ranges. Cova da Beira, on the other hand, extends from the foothills of the Serra da Estrela to the Tagus Valley, south of Castelo Branco.

The main white grape varieties are Arinto, Fonte Cal, Malvasia Fina, Rabo de Ovelha, and Síria, while the red varieties are Bastardo, Marufo, Rufete, Tinta Roriz, and Touriga Nacional, with the regular presence of very old vines.

Sub-regions: