From the Eco-lodge in the Sintra Natural Park to the Eco-camp in the banana jungle in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Discover 10 Eco hotel in Portugal!
Bring out the Robinson Crusoe is in you and travel taking care of the environment and the local community around you. Discover what you don’t know and come back home with a small bag full of sustainable pieces of advice. From Sintra Natural Park to Serra da Estrela. From walking along the wild beaches of the Costa Vicentina to birdwatching along the paths of Aljezur! Discover 10 Eco-hotel in Portugal, Vamos!
1. An ecological hotel with Green Key Certificate for sustainable tourism in Serra da Estrela
Casa do Fundo is an ecological hotel located in Seia, nearby the Serra da Estrela Natural Park. It is the only hotel in the Serra da Estrela to have received the Green Key award for two consecutive years. It is an award for facilities that implement sustainable practices. Its mission is to to promote environmental protection and education for sustainability to its guests. Eternal rest and inner contemplation characterize this enchanting place.
What to explore in the surrounding area
Mrs. Dona Silvia will make you start your day full of energy thanks to a delicious breakfast full of authentic flavors. A nice walk along the Poço da Broca waterfall and in Lagoa Comprida, a didactic visit to the Brinquedo Museum and the Museu do Pão await you. Don’t forget to taste the “Queijo Serra da Estrela“, a very creamy Portuguese cheese made from the raw milk of Bordaleira da Serra da Estrela sheep, one of the oldest products produced in Portugal.
Why is it green
This structure offers organic food at Km 0, carries out the separate collection and cleaning with ecological products. You can access without a car. The lighting system has low consumption bulbs, the water taps are low flow, and the hotel implements the recovery and reuse of rainwater. The structure respects the principles of bio-architecture Eco-hotel in Portugal. Casa do Fundo will be happy to welcome your four-legged friend, and upon arrival, Mrs Beira will advise you on exciting ecotourism itineraries to do.
Discover here: Casa do Fundo
2. Eco-house in nature at the ground of the Monchique mountains at 902 meters above sea level to explore a sky full of stars
Estrela do Alentejo is a warm and cozy earthen house at the foot of the Monchique mountains, situated on a 50-hectare property. It lives in harmony with the land. You can take beautiful walks along the landscape of hills of cork trees, pines, olives, figs, apples, and grapes. You can read in the hammock, write, draw, swim in the natural pool, and connect with the surrounding environment.
What to explore in the surrounding area
Alentejo is a land full of history, of villages that make anyone who visits them fall in love. Visit Évora. In the 15th century, it was the residence of the kings of Portugal. You can start your exploration of the center of Évora in Praça do Giraldo. At one end of the square, you can admire the Igreja de Santo Antão and the Chafariz. Here you can contemplate the best-preserved Roman temple in the Iberian Peninsula. The most gruesome yet fascinating attraction of Évora is the Chapel of the Bones, a church whose walls, as its name suggests, are “decorated” with human bones and skulls. You can easily reach Évora by train.
Testimonies of the past combine with local traditions to create a unique mix of colors, flavors, and sounds. It is an ideal place for a Digital Detox holiday.
Why is it green
Here you can easily access it without a car. The cleaning products are ecological. The structure carries out the separate waste collection. The rooms have low consumption bulbs, the flow of water coming out of the taps is reduced. The electricity used comes from 100% renewable sources, there are solar panels for hot water and rainwater is recovered and reused. Estrela do Alentejo has an organic vegetable garden, the food offered is all organic at Km 0. The structure respects the principles of bio-architecture Eco-hotel in Portugal with eco-compatible furniture.
Discover here: Estrela do Alentejo
3. Eco-lodge between green and blue, nearby the historic villages of Castelo Branco
If you want to experience a holiday immersed in the fantastic natural surroundings of the majestic Serra da Estrela, Serra da Gardunha and Cortijo, Lugar do Ainda is the perfect place. Lugar do Ainda is an Eco Bed & Breakfast surrounded by historical and artistic villages in central Portugal. It is a 15-hectare farm located in Castelo Branco.
What to explore in the surrounding area
Besides offering you a deep silence and a sky full of stars, you can take great walks, hikes or bike rides in the surrounding nature of the Serra da Gardunha. Go to Casa do Guarda enjoying a beautiful view of the Cova da Beira region. Reach the GeoPark NaturTejo and take a dip in the swimming pool surrounded by trees. If you are a lover of local products, this is your ideal place, local producers of cheese, wine, honey, olive oil, and many typical restaurants are waiting for you!
Why is it green
This Bed & Breakfast is only powered by electricity from 100% renewable sources with solar panels for water. There are a high-efficiency boiler and flow reducers for water. There are low consumption light bulbs, organic food at Km 0, an organic vegetable garden, and natural air conditioning. It provides bicycles to its guests and it is accessible without a car that uses ecological cleaning products. You will receive advice on various ecotourism itineraries to do in the biodiversity of the surrounding green areas.
Discover here: Lugar do Ainda
4. Eco hotel in the rural hills of the Sintra Natural Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Colina Flora located in the rural hills of the Sintra Natural Park, just a few minutes walk from the picturesque villages of Almoçageme and Penedo. It offers an organic and vegetarian breakfast buffet with local products. A yoga session and massages will transmit you good vibes. It gives complimentary bus passes to guests arriving without cars and offers a shuttle to/from the village of Almoçageme and Adraga Beach.It is Green Key certified.
What to explore in the surrounding area
This Eco-house offers a natural setting on the ocean. We recommend you to reach the beach of Adraga on foot or by bike. Explore Praia da Ursa and Cabo da Roca. It is the westernmost point on the European continent. The poet Luís Vaz de Camões described Cabo da Roca as “Aqui… Onde a terra se acaba e o mar começa….”, in English “Here… where the land ends and the sea begins.” If you are passionate about history, we recommend a visit to the Palacio Nacional da Pena, Parque da Pena, Castelo dos Mouros, Quinta da Regaleira, Palacio Nacional de Sintra and the Convento dos Capuchos.
To enjoy a landscape of great beauty, where the white dunes stand out against the Serra di Sintra visible in the background, go to Praia do Guincho, a beach in the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Exposed to strong winds and bathed by a sea characterised by high waves, the beach is very popular with surfers and bodyboarders. It is a perfect spot for windsurfing. In the immediate vicinity, excellent restaurants are specialising in fish and shellfish.
Why is it green
Colina Flora prepares its meals with organic, seasonal, high quality and locally grown ingredients. It uses biodegradable detergents and it filters well water. There are flow reducers for water and it illuminates its rooms with energy-saving light bulbs. It recycles, has compost and an organic garden. Here you can come without the car and it respects the principles of bio-architecture Eco-hotel in Portugal. It supports small local shops and it supports Slow Food.
Discover here: Colina Flora
5. A sustainable hostel at the heart of Lisbon to travel with a positive impact
This sustainable hostel in Lisbon allows you to make a difference. Impact House is an open space for the Lisbon community, where sustainability, circular economy and partnerships with local non-profit organisations are at the heart of it all. Shared facilities include a large living room, a beautiful garden and vegetable garden, an outdoor area with a swimming pool, a dining room and an activity room where you can take free yoga classes every Saturday. Breakfast, lunch and dinner served are homemade. What makes Impact House unique is its deep-rooted concept of sustainability in every activity in the facility.
What to explore in the surrounding area
Impact House is located just a few kilometres from the quiet and relaxing environment of the centre of Belém. We recommend you visit the famous Monastery dos Jerónimos, the Tower of Belém, the monument of discoveries, the Museo de Marinha, the Museo Nacional dos Coches and the Palacio Nacional de Belém which is the official residence of the President of Portugal. If you are a fan of contemporary art, you absolutely cannot miss the best contemporary art gallery in Lisbon, the Coleção Berardo housed in the CCB (Centro Cultural de Belém).
The visit can continue with a pleasant walk along the banks of the Tagus River to the very modern MAAT Museum, Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology. From the roof of the museum, you can enjoy a splendid view of Ponte 25 de Abril. You cannot fail to enjoy the culinary art of the traditional Fábrica Pastéis de Belém, where you can enjoy a coffee accompanied by Pastéis de Belém, a cream custard cake loved by all.
Why is it green
Impact House has renewable energy sources and offsets 100% of C02 emissions. It reduces, recycles and composes its waste, consciously managing food waste by donating the surplus. In its theory of sustainable sourcing, it favours local suppliers, always seeking to improve its supply chain. It offers organic food 0 km from its organic vegetable garden. It is accessible without a car and provides bicycles on request. There are environmentally friendly cleaning products, low consumption light bulbs and water flow reducers.
Impact House offers you workshops on various sustainable practices. It has an art gallery that exhibits the works of local disabled artists and swap clothing. It promotes different connections between local non-profit organisations and their guests. The purpose of Rita and her Impact House team is to educate travellers to travel with a good purpose.
Discover here: Impact House
6. Eco Glamping in the heart of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park
O Abrigo do Vento has glamping with a 100% ecological cotton tent built with love and surrounded by pine trees in the heart of unspoilt beaches and paths of the Costa Vicentina. Under the pergola, you can enjoy excellent meals in total peace. You can do birdwatching and enjoy starry sky. Every Saturday morning, you can live like a real local by going to Aljezur to the ecological market of small local producers and artisans.
What to explore in the surrounding area
You can’t miss a lovely walk along the official naturist beach of Adegas, in Odeceixe. We recommend exploring Praia da Amoreira, Praia da Arrifana, Praia da Bordeira, Praia da Carreagem and Carrapateira. These beaches are ideal for surfing. Praia do Amado is frequented by surfers from all over Europe and often hosts international competitions. Don’t miss the sand dunes of Praia de Monte Clerigo.
In Aljezur, among its beaches, cliffs and strands, we recommend a visit to the Castle, symbol of the struggle between Moors and Christians, the house-museum of the painter Josés Cercas, Museum of Sacred Art, Museum of St. Anthony and donkey riding. The archaeological sites in the area are: The Necropolis of Vale da Telha, the Islamic fishing village, and the Silos da Barrada.
Why is it green
All energy is produced on the property using photovoltaic panels. It offers organic food at Km 0 and has an organic vegetable garden. It makes separate waste collection and recovers and reuses water. There are ecological products for cleaning and low consumption light bulbs for lighting. The structure respects the principles of bio-architecture Eco-hotel in Portugal. Pets are welcome at O abrigo do vento, and on your arrival, Hilke and Eike will give you lots of advice on various local ecotourism itineraries.
Discover here: O Abrigo do Vento
7. Creative eco-village on the hills of Lousã in Coimbra where nature and art combine
Are you interested in taking part in an arts community with a village as a home and nature as a source of inspiration? At Cerdeira – Home for Creativity nature and creative vision combine and become an epicentre of cultural inspiration through art and creativity. Cerdeira has a great history. It was an abandoned village. In 2006, Cerdeira hosted its first art festival “Elementos à Solta” which gave it the moto for what it is today, a village characterized by creativity combined with ecological sustainability and social responsibility through the involvement of the local community. Cerdeira will host the Festival Elementos à Solta again, in September of 2021.
there was here first art festival “Elementos à Solta” to become what it is today, a village characterised by creativity combined with ecological sustainability and social responsibility through the involvement of the local community.
What to explore in the surrounding area
In the surroundings of the Eco-village, we suggest you visit the Castle of Lousã, the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Piedade, the Ecomuseum of Serra da Lousã and the Medieval bridge Foz de Arouce. Do excursions on foot or by bike to the Serra da Lousã to enjoy the spectacle of nature and wildlife. This tour of the Serra da Lousã will take you to discover its forests of oak, chestnut and pine trees where noble creatures like the deer live there. Just 8 km from the hills of Lousã is Mount do Calvário, where you can trek up to the summit.
If you are passionate about culture and history, you cannot miss the oldest university city in Portugal and one of the first founded in Europe: Coimbra. In Coimbra the atmosphere is magical, you will see groups of young people wrapped in cloaks and black clothes: the “traje académico“. Here you should visit the University of Coimbra, the Joanina Library, the Old Cathedral, the New Cathedral and the Monastery of Santa Cruz. Lose yourself in the greenery of the Botanical Garden, the Mondego Park and the gardens of the Quinta das Lagrimas.
Why is it green
Cerdeira – Home for Creativity promotes environmental training programmes for its employees and guests to raise awareness of responsible and sustainable tourism. It tries to optimise the use of natural resources as energy and water. It has low consumption light bulbs, flow reducers for water and solar panels for hot water, and it enhances the use of local and, where possible, organic products thanks to the organic vegetable garden. Measuring the waste produced in the facilities to reduce it every year and preferring eco-certified products for cleaning are relevant green practices . It uses culture and art as a means to connect with the local community. The structure respects the principles of bio-architecture Eco-hotel in Portugal. Pets are welcome in 3 specific houses.
Discover here: Cerdeira – Home for Creativity
8. Nature and Art for your dream holiday in the Sesimbra Natural Park
Villa Epicurea is ideal for recharging your energy. This small Eco-Lodge full of peace, surrounded by unspoilt nature, will allow you to immerse in nature. You will enjoy the feeling of taking beautiful walks in the natural park of Sesimbra and Arrábida with breathtaking views of the ocean. The organic bio pool offers stunning views of the greenery and the sea. You can start your day with a delicious vegetarian breakfast. There are vegetarian, vegan and natural cosmetics classes. Villa Epicurea will offer you massages, yoga and surf lessons.
What to explore in the surrounding area
In the natural park of Sesimbra, you can visit the wild and spectacular promontory of Cabo Espichel with its unique church, lighthouse and dinosaur footprints. Visit the Sesimbra Castle, the Fortaleza de Santiago and the Church of Nossa Senhora do Castelo. Enjoy walking, cycling or horse riding along the Lagoa de Albufeira, Praia de Foz, Praia do Meco, Praia do Ouro and Praia da California. You cannot miss a pleasant excursion to the wild beach of Ribeira do Cavalo.
Enjoy a kayaking trip along the spectacular coastline made up of quarries, caves and isolated beaches. Among the various water sports, we recommend you try to Stand up Paddle, Coasteering, Kite surfing, Snorkelling, Rock climbing, Scuba diving, and Hang gliding. In Sesimbra, you can see dolphins living in the Sado estuary.
Do an excursion to Setúbal, a picturesque fishing port, and cycling or hiking in the Serra da Arrábida hills. The countryside of Sesimbra and Setúbal is one of the principal wine-producing regions. The speciality is Moscatel de Setúbal, and its grapes grow above the Serra da Arrábida hills. Two wineries offer tasting tours: Quinta da Bacalhoa and José Maria da Fonseca. Sesimbra is a seaside town, and freshly caught fish is served daily in its many excellent seafood restaurants, known as Marisqueiras. A speciality of Sesimbra is the “Arroz de Marisco“.
Why is it green
The food at Villa Epicurea is organic at km 0 as bread, cheese, and fruit. The structure respects the principles of bio-architecture with eco-compatible furnishings, as two Eco-Villas are made in wood. All the cups and dishes are produced in Portugal. Villa Epicurea has solar panels for hot water, a high-efficiency boiler, and uses low consumption bulbs. Only organic cleaning products are used, and it produces shower gel. The bed linen is 100% linen. It is separated and has natural air conditioning. All pets are welcome. Marianna and her team will advise you on various ecotourism itineraries. The pool is organic: algae and small bacteria keep it clean.
Discover here: Villa Epicurea
9. Villa in the countryside with 30 years of tradition and sustainability
Refúgio Rural is an ideal Eco-villa for nature-loving travellers. Unique for its exclusive use, it will offer you a lot of privacy. Located between Caldas da Rainha and Foz do Arelho, the villa is an ideal starting point to explore the nearby beaches of Foz do Arelho, Peniche, Nazaré. Peniche, beloved by surfers, with its stunning beaches, a lively harbor, and delicious fish restaurants, is a town not to be missed if you love the sea. We recommend going to the island of Berlengas, a nature reserve. The beach of Nazarè boasts some of the oldest fishing traditions in Portugal. Here you will come across fish wearing seven skirts. The great attraction of the city is the waves and surfing. Take the time to take a nice walk in Pedralva Park.
What to explore in the surrounding area
We recommend you to visit the fortified medieval town of Óbidos, one of the best-preserved in Portugal. Try the typical liqueur Ginjinha. At the end of each day, after exploring the surrounding countryside, you can enjoy the beautiful sunsets from the terrace. You can use the indoor swimming pool all year round, and children can enjoy the small play area in the garden. The water in the house comes from the rainwater on the roof. Vegetables and fruit from the garden are made available to guests. For every booking made Refugio Rural plants a tree. In Caldas da Rainha we recommend a visit to the Dom Carlos I Park, the José Malhoa Museum, the Cycling Museum, the Ceramic Museum, and the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Populo. Enjoy walking along Praia Foz do Arelho, Cais da Praia, and Lagoa de Obidos.
Why is it green
Refúgio Rural – Eco Villa collects rainwater from the roof to supply the house. It provides shampoo and biodegradable soaps to guests. Part of the electricity comes from solar panels. It offers organic food at Km 0 through its organic vegetable garden. It uses ecological products for cleaning and separate waste collection. The house is furnished with second-hand furniture.
Discover here: Refúgio Rural – Eco Villa
10. Eco-camp in the banana jungle of the Azores
Banana Eco camp is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, on the Terceira island of the Azores archipelago. Small wooden houses with an A-frame are hidden under banana leaves in the heart of the organic banana farm. Here you can hear the birds singing, breathe the ocean air and enjoy the barbecue and fire under the stars. There are hammocks to relax in. For breakfast, you can enjoy organic and seasonal bananas, maracuja, papaya, avocado, mango, oranges, cucumbers, tomatoes, melons and watermelons. You can also enjoy its handmade coffee.
What to explore in the surrounding area
What makes the island of Terceira unique is the extraordinary contrast between the natural beauty of the volcanic island and the admirable work of man in the historic center of Angra do Heroísmo, the capital, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You must visit the fortresses of São Sebastião and São João Baptista, unique examples of military architecture over 400 years old; the 16th-century Sé Catedral, the largest church in the Azores; the Palácio dos Capitães-Generais; the Paços do Concelho; the Igreja de São Gonçalo, a 16th-century church; the Palácio Bettencourt, and the Museum of Angra, housed in the former convent of São Francisco, and the Jardim Duque da Terceira, a park with various species of well-preserved flora. In Angra do Heroísmo, and in Praia da Vitória you can do sailing, canoeing, windsurfing, water skiing and take a swim in natural pools.
Enjoy riding a horse along the beach. If you are a scuba diving enthusiast, you can explore the anchor cemetery, and the wreck of the ship Lidador in the Archaeological Park of Angra do Heroísmo Bay. If you are a caving enthusiast, you will find caves and caverns on Terceira Island that can be explored with specialized guides and appropriate equipment. One of the major geological attractions is the Caldeira Guilherme Moniz. The gastronomy of Terceira is famous for the alcatra. If you love desserts, try the Dona Amélia queijadas.
Why is it green
Banana Eco Camp offers organic food at Km 0 from the organic garden with meals for vegetarians and vegans. It has ecological cleaning products and low consumption light bulbs. The structure respects the principles of bio-architecture Eco-hotel in Portugal with eco-friendly furniture. It carries out the recovery and reuse of water and provides bicycles for guests. At your arrival, you will receive many advises on ecotourism itineraries nearby.
Discover here: Banana Eco Camp
