Pé Descalço

Located among the rocky landscapes of Penedos Belos, near Porto de Mós, the Centro de Aprendizagem Pé Descalço is built around the philosophy of direct, barefoot contact with nature. The project believes that walking barefoot on the earth helps people find balance, calm the mind, and strengthen their connection to themselves and their community. Through a year-round program of thematic visits and activities, the center invites children and adults alike to step out of their daily routines and reconnect with the land, animals, and natural cycles. Activities include school visits, traditional workshops, 'Mornings on the Earth' held twice a month on Sundays, weekly community gatherings, birthday celebrations, holiday camps ('Férias Pé Descalço'), and animal connection experiences. Run by Susana Laranjeiro and Leandro Romano, the project grew out of the inspiration the founders drew from their own children's simple joy of walking barefoot through the streets. It is also an expression of their passion for hosting, sharing, and creating a meeting space rooted in a deep connection to nature. Visitors consistently describe the experience as warm and transformative, praising the hosts' hospitality and the well-structured approach to environmental education. The center has become a valued local resource for schools and families seeking meaningful, hands-on encounters with nature, standing out as a model of experiential eco-pedagogy that many feel is missing from everyday life today.