Yurt Holidays & Eco Camping in Central Portugal

Quinta das Abelhas (Honeybee Farm) is a beautiful organic smallholding with stunning views of two mountain ranges, the Serra da Estrela (highest in Portugal) and the Serra de Açor. We are in the 'Green Heart' of Portugal surrounded by a unique mix of both Northern European and Mediterranean flaura and fauna: see olives and oaks, oranges and apples, tree frogs and hedgehogs, sparrows and hoopoes.

Eco Holidays

Enjoy luxury camping with a choice of three yurts (ger): The Mongolian Yurt with a double bed and two single sofa-beds, the Woodland Yurt with a double bed, and the Pixie Yurt with a single bed. Bring your own tent (or rent ours) to pitch under the shade of an olive tree on a terrace sheltered by grape vines. We have communal low-impact facilities available for your use (and included in the price of your holiday): the Kitchen Caravan is fully equipped to make snacks and basic meals, a Composting Toilet and Solar Shower, and our new 16" above-ground Swimming Pool.

Oh my god, I want to stay here forever ... please, please, please!

- Zoe Trent

There is plenty to do on the quinta: there are chickens and ducks, dogs, cats, and horses to play with and you are welcome to join in with all farm activities such as helping in the gardens, feeding the animals, and wine-making and olive harvesting in season. Sit in a hammock watching birds of prey swooping across the valley. Walk (or horse-ride) for hours on tracks through the countryside without seeing a soul. Learn about beekeeping, natural horsemanship, and permaculture / forest gardening.

The River Mondego for swimming and fishing, and the village with shops, bars and a restaurant, are just 15 mins walk. You can visit the local markets at Tábua (Sunday morning) and Arganil (Thursday morning); one of the many places of interest in the area such as Coimbra (historic university city), Piodão (traditional mountain village), one of the nearby river beaches, the beach at Figueira da Foz, skiing in the Serra da Estrela, or simply stay on the quinta and relax, listening to the gentle sound of the sheep bells as the shepherd passes by to graze his herd. A folder of local information and suggested days out is provided.

By the way what did you lot do to Theresa? She's reading permaculture books all day and keeps hassling me to buy land in Portugal ...

- Oliver Precht

What to Expect

A warm welcome regardless of your age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, mental or physical abilities. We will do our best to accommodate you within the limits of the facilities and the terrain, please contact us to discuss any particular needs you may have. This is luxury camping - and not a luxury 5* resort! Your yurt or tent is on a working smallholding on a hillside in rural Portugal - the roads have potholes, there are some steep-ish footpaths to negotiate, and you'll likely find a spider in the shower room! We'll do our very best to make your stay here comfortable and enjoyable but please ensure you know in advance what to expect - read the Facilities and Accessability pages before booking your holiday. If you have any questions we will be happy to answer them.