Montelavar·Lisbon

Aldeia do Vale

Education & Eco-tourism Energy, Water & Mobility Food & Agriculture Community & Social Innovation Ecosystems & Biodiversity

Aldeia do Vale is an agroecological and permaculture project located between Sintra and Mafra, Portugal, offering courses, workshops, and practical experiences in sustainable living. It serves as a research and education centre covering permaculture design, natural building, agroforestry, beekeeping, and more.

Education & Eco-tourism Energy, Water & Mobility Food & Agriculture Community & Social Innovation Ecosystems & Biodiversity

Aldeia do Vale is a thriving agroecological and permaculture project nestled between Sintra and Mafra, in the lush landscapes of western Portugal. Founded as a centre of research and practice in sustainability, it offers a rich programme of immersive courses, workshops, and training experiences open to individuals seeking to learn and live more regeneratively. The project's educational offer spans a wide range of disciplines rooted in permaculture ethics and design: from certified Permaculture Design Courses (PDC) — intensive two-week immersions covering landscape reading, soil health, water harvesting, food forests, natural building, and community design — to shorter practical workshops on agroforestry, beekeeping, vermicomposting (minhocas), and eco-construction. Courses are delivered in both Portuguese and English, making the project accessible to an international audience. At its core, Aldeia do Vale promotes biodiversity, soil regeneration, and cooperative community living. Participants benefit from vegetarian meals, access to fire circles, field trips to local natural landmarks, and a warm, family-like environment that fosters genuine connection and shared learning. The project also maintains a seed library, offers sustainable and regenerative gift products, and facilitates visits for those wishing to discover the space in person. Located at Beco da Vinha, Barreiros, Montelavar, near Sintra, the project operates year-round and is led by Sílvia Floresta, its executive director and permaculture facilitator. Aldeia do Vale is registered with Permaculture Global and continues to grow as a reference for agroecological education and community resilience in Portugal.

Our Goal

Aldeia do Vale aims to develop a living agroecological and permaculture research centre in Portugal, offering practical training, courses, and community experiences that promote sustainable, regenerative ways of living in harmony with nature.

Our Wishes

The project welcomes volunteers, students, and community members who wish to learn, contribute, and help grow the vision of a truly sustainable and regenerative community.

Our People

Upcoming Events

Sept1

Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) Course

Course

Ecoaldeia do Vale

A 72-hour permaculture design certification course running in September at Ecoaldeia do Vale, covering ecological design principles and sustainable land management practices.

Sept1

The School is the Building Site - Construction with Hemp

Course

Aldeia do Vale · Sintra · Lisbon

A five-day practical course, in two modules, on natural construction with hemp, including the application of hempcrete and lime render, at Aldeia do Vale, in Sintra, in September.

Sept1809:00

The School Is the Building Site - Hemp Construction Course

Workshop

Beco da vinha, Barreiros, Montelavar, 2715-611 Montelavar Sintra, Portugal

A natural building, learning and community experience. There is knowledge that cannot be learnt in a classroom alone. It is learnt with hands on the materials, feet on the ground, the challenges that arise during the process and the people who walk alongside us. THE SCHOOL IS THE BUILDING SITE comes to Aldeia do Vale for an edition dedicated to hemp construction, creating a space where learning happens in a real-world context and where each participant takes part in a meaningful, collective intervention…

Sept2609:30

Beekeeping Course

Course

Beco da vinha, Barreiros, Montelavar, 2715-611 Montelavar Sintra, Portugal

Beekeeping is an ancient practice that remains essential today, not only for honey production but also for the vital role bees play in pollination and ecosystem balance. This two-day course has been carefully designed to give participants theoretical and practical knowledge of beekeeping, from basic concepts to advanced hive management techniques. If you are interested in getting started in beekeeping or deepening your…

Nov2112:00

Certified Permaculture Design Course - 6 weekends 2026|27

Course

Beco da vinha, Barreiros, Montelavar, 2715-611 Montelavar Sintra, Portugal

Join us for an unparalleled learning adventure in the heart of an eco-village in Sintra, guided by permaculture experts Sílvia Floresta and Orlando Pereira. This intensive two-week course is an opportunity to understand and apply permaculture principles to creating sustainable and regenerative living systems. Course Details 2026/2027 Dates November - 21&22 December - 19&20 January - 23&24 February - 20&21 March…