Aldeias do Xisto
Aldeias do Xisto is a territorial network of 28 schist villages in central Portugal, managed by ADXTUR, offering sustainable tourism, nature…
Sustainable Tourism
Stays that give back: eco-resorts near Tavira, off-grid retreats in the Monchique hills, and revived schist villages like Cerdeira. Travel that leaves the place better.
Projects in this focus
Inland Portugal
Inland Portugal is a licensed travel agency offering soulful, small-group journeys through Portugal's rural interior, connecting travelers w…
Casa das Palmeiras
Casa das Palmeiras is a sustainable rural tourism farmhouse in Gandufe, Mangualde, featuring a pedagogical farm, animal-assisted experiences…
Sterna - Aveiro Ria Tours & Birdwatching
Sterna is a nature tourism company operating solar-powered, silent boat tours and birdwatching experiences across the Ria de Aveiro. It comb…
Isatour Ecotourism
Isatour is a Biosphere-certified rural accommodation and tourism activity provider located in Adsamo, Vouzela, within the Vouga-Caramulo Nat…
Terramadome
Terramadome is a 7-hectare organic and experimental farm near Penamacor, Beira Baixa, offering eco-friendly self-built accommodations, works…
Quinta do Vale da Páscoa (Ecoaldeia do Vale)
Quinta do Vale da Páscoa is a sustainable luxury B&B and working farm in Póvoa de Midões, Tábua, central Portugal, blending eco-accommodatio…
Cerdeira - Home for Creativity
Cerdeira - Home for Creativity is a revived historic schist village in Serra da Lousã offering EU Eco-Label-certified accommodation, arts an…
Sustainable tourism in Portugal
Tourism is a large part of the Portuguese economy and a large part of the pressure on its coast and water. The places listed here are trying to be the other kind: small, off-season as well as on, staffed locally, and built or restored rather than newly cleared.
They range from eco-resorts near Tavira to off-grid retreats in the Monchique hills to Cerdeira, a schist village in the Serra da Lousã brought back from abandonment as a place for craft and residency.
Staying somewhere that also farms, teaches or restores land is the simplest version of travelling well here. See also the eco-tourism and experiential learning, retreat centres and low-impact travel focuses. Dated activities from these projects are listed in our events calendar.