Craveiral Farmhouse

Craveiral Farmhouse sits between the countryside and the sea, a few kilometres from Zambujeira do Mar in the Alentejo, about two hours' drive from Lisbon. It offers 38 self-catering houses in three clusters that echo local rural architecture: studios, one- and two-bedroom houses, and farmlofts. Guests may pick fruit and vegetables from the raised beds around the property. Pets are welcome. The owners describe it as a regeneration project as much as a hospitality one. The farm grows, buys, processes and eats its own ingredients, and reuses waste on site through composting and animal feed. It keeps and breeds Portuguese chicken breeds at risk of extinction, and their eggs go into the breakfasts, the pastry kitchen and the fresh pasta. The restaurant cooks with local and organic produce. Native plants are cultivated across several parts of the property as part of its environmental policy. The farm has also run hands-on workshops on soil and regenerative farming, including one on chamomile. The community side is concrete. The Craveiral Pizzeria came out of a partnership with VilacomVida, an association for young people with mild intellectual developmental disorders. The farm supports local clubs and social solidarity institutions, and hosts art residencies. Work by the artist Bruno Castro Santos is shown on site. A nature interpretation centre and a programme of events, from weddings to retreats, use the grounds, and guests can book massages and bike tours. The project was financed in part through Compete2020 and is part of the Belong group. Its founder, Pedro França Pinto, calls it a work in progress.