Quinta da Fornalha

Quinta da Fornalha is an active traditional farm located in Castro Marim, in the Eastern Algarve, nestled between the Sapal Nature Reserve — home to pink flamingos — the historic town of Castro Marim, and the sandy beaches of the Algarve coast. Spanning 35 hectares, the farm cultivates an organic Mediterranean orchard featuring figs, oranges, olives, carob trees, and almonds, among other crops. The farm has been in the same family for over 250 years and was formally relaunched as a sustainable project in 2008. Its organic certification, one of the first in the region, was issued in 2010. Over the years, the farm's buildings, guesthouses, and land have been gradually renovated to support a holistic, multi-faceted approach to sustainable living. Quinta da Fornalha operates across four interconnected areas: organic farming production (including fig harvesting), ecotourism with traditional Portuguese guesthouses, the restaurant Taberna Remexida (which serves locally sourced seasonal produce in a relaxed natural setting), and a farm shop offering handmade goods such as jams, fig chutney, carob and almond spreads. The farm's mission is to preserve traditional agricultural knowledge, cultivate environmental and social sustainability, and invite people to reconnect with nature and regenerative farming. Volunteering and collaboration opportunities are available throughout the year, making Quinta da Fornalha a living example of how heritage farms can evolve into thriving, community-oriented sustainable enterprises.