Holiday Accommodation
Our aim is to give our guests a relaxing and inspiring holiday, and to promote an appreciation of nature. The long-term vision is not only of a productive, but also a beautiful ecosystem, with great diversity of plant, bird and animal life. We especially cater for families, though all are equally welcome.
The tranquil ambiance of Várzea da Gonçala is balanced by constant activity, with frequently a project on the go and new ideas being acted upon. Guests are always welcome observe or participate in the daily goings-on, and we are of course happy to give our best knowledge of the local area and beaches or other places to visit in this beautiful and unspoilt corner of Europe
The tranquil ambiance of Várzea da Gonçala is balanced by constant activity, with frequently a project on the go and new ideas being acted upon. Guests are always welcome observe or participate in the daily goings-on, and we are of course happy to give our best knowledge of the local area and beaches or other places to visit in this beautiful and unspoilt corner of Europe
Farmhouse Accommodation
Guests can camp or arrange to stay in one of our traditional Portuguese rammed-earth cottages. These are located around a communal terrace where there are tables for outdoors dining and gathering.
Please visit the "accommodation prices and pictures" page for photos of the inside of the guest house, as well as details of prices. For booking, please visit the "booking" page.
This leads to the gardens, children's play area and paddling pool, and the covered outdoor social area - complete with traditional clay bread oven, bar, and open fire. The whole area of Várzea da Gonçala is your to explore, with paths leading through the vegetable garden to the pond, along the river, around the land, or up the hills. There is a rich diversity of nature and bird life.
It should be noted that toilet facilities in the houses are designed for liquid only, with nice composting toilets located nearby outside. This natural system means all waste is completely recycled, without any expense or external treatment required, just the activity of our fungal friends, yielding, after six months or so, an earthy high-quality compost for fertilising the fruit and nut trees.
We can provide you with organically grown seasonal vegetables from our garden, fruit from our trees, and eggs from our free-range hens, when available.
Guests can camp or arrange to stay in one of our traditional Portuguese rammed-earth cottages. These are located around a communal terrace where there are tables for outdoors dining and gathering.
Please visit the "accommodation prices and pictures" page for photos of the inside of the guest house, as well as details of prices. For booking, please visit the "booking" page.
This leads to the gardens, children's play area and paddling pool, and the covered outdoor social area - complete with traditional clay bread oven, bar, and open fire. The whole area of Várzea da Gonçala is your to explore, with paths leading through the vegetable garden to the pond, along the river, around the land, or up the hills. There is a rich diversity of nature and bird life.
It should be noted that toilet facilities in the houses are designed for liquid only, with nice composting toilets located nearby outside. This natural system means all waste is completely recycled, without any expense or external treatment required, just the activity of our fungal friends, yielding, after six months or so, an earthy high-quality compost for fertilising the fruit and nut trees.
We can provide you with organically grown seasonal vegetables from our garden, fruit from our trees, and eggs from our free-range hens, when available.
Facilities for Children
Children are very welcome here. There are many facilities for play and exploration, and open space to spread their wings, and a beautiful river pool, full even in the height of summer. The cottages are 150m from the road, along which pass maybe 10 vehicles per day, eliminating traffic safety and pollution concerns. You may park close to the cottages.
Facilities here for children include
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We are happy to eat communally and share "pot luck" meals sometimes, or equally, your space is your own. We often have pizza evenings in our "enchanted space", adjoining our traditional bread oven when we also bake our bread, You are more than welcome to participate and learn how.
Services we can provide here
Washing Machine
Potties, high-chairs, small bed, cot with bedding
Parasols for use here or on the beach
Children's films through the projector in our enchanting covered outdoor area, which all children enjoy exploring!
Bicycles, for exploring locally
Potties, high-chairs, small bed, cot with bedding
Parasols for use here or on the beach
Children's films through the projector in our enchanting covered outdoor area, which all children enjoy exploring!
Bicycles, for exploring locally
Facilities on hand locally
Safe, accessible beaches, some with a café and quite popular, others which you can find almost to yourselves in the height of summer. The nearest beach,14km away, has clean white sands in a sheltered estuary with sand dunes and without waves, ideal for young children.
We are within 500 metres of the long-distance Via Algarviana long-distance walking trail, and the valley and hills have beautiful walking trails. Lagos zoo is a relaxed and tranquil place, where the animals are treated with an admirable degree of respect. Horse-riding, donkey-trekking and mountainbike hire can easily be arranged at any time of the year. Bird-life is abundant and varied, with several rare specied to be spotted by enthusiasts. 6 km away in picturesque Aljezur, is a Moorish castle ruin, many cafes and restaurants, a swimming pool, banks, pharmacy, post office, health centre, dentist and health food shop. Local towns worth a day-outing to explore include Monchique, Odeceixe and Lagos. |
Prices for renting the farm-house accommodation, per night, for 2020, are as follows...
May and June, €60, July and August, €65, September, €55, October, €50, November and December, €40.
These prices are inclusive of bedding, towels, and all house facilities, ie gas, electric etc, for stays of 5 days or more. For stays of less than 5 days there is an additional cleaning charge of €20.
The house will be ready by 4pm on the day of arrival, and guests should leave by noon on the day of departure, unless by special agreement.
We ask for a 20% deposit of the total price to confirm a booking.
Please visit the "booking" page to make a reservation and for methods of payment.
May and June, €60, July and August, €65, September, €55, October, €50, November and December, €40.
These prices are inclusive of bedding, towels, and all house facilities, ie gas, electric etc, for stays of 5 days or more. For stays of less than 5 days there is an additional cleaning charge of €20.
The house will be ready by 4pm on the day of arrival, and guests should leave by noon on the day of departure, unless by special agreement.
We ask for a 20% deposit of the total price to confirm a booking.
Please visit the "booking" page to make a reservation and for methods of payment.
Booking should be done by email only. Our email address is: varzeadagoncala@gmail.com. Feel free to ask about anything that is unclear or unsaid. Many thanks.