Located in São Brás de Alportel in the Algarve, the Eco-Cork Factory is a certified, family-run cork processing facility offering guided factory tours and nature workshops that showcase Portugal's iconic and sustainable cork industry. Visitors discover how cork oak bark is harvested without harming the trees and transformed into finished products, connecting with centuries of Portuguese ecological tradition.
The Eco-Cork Factory (Eco-Fábrica de Cortiça Francisco Carrusca) is a traditional family-run cork processing facility located in Sítio da Mesquita Baixa, São Brás de Alportel, in Portugal's Algarve region. With roots in the cork industry dating back to the 19th century, the factory combines heritage expertise with a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental education.
The factory specialises in the preparation of natural cork plank, producing cork chips, strips, pallets, and bales intended for the manufacture of stoppers and other cork-based products. Quality is assured through high standards of certification and sorting, guided by the International Code of Cork Stopper Practices and annual audits by C.E.LIÉGE.
Beyond its industrial operations, the Eco-Cork Factory has developed a rich programme of educational experiences open to the public. The guided factory tour — available Monday to Friday at 11:30am and licensed by Turismo de Portugal (RNAAT nº 99/2022) — walks participants through the entire cork production cycle. Visitors learn how bark is carefully and non-destructively harvested from cork oak trees (Quercus suber), which regenerate naturally on a nine-year cycle without being felled, making cork harvesting one of the world's most sustainable forestry practices. The tour includes a visit to a cork shop showcasing modern applications of cork fabric in fashion accessories.
Workshops and nature-based experiences complement the factory tour, offering hands-on contact with cork as a raw material in the broader context of the Algarve's montado landscape — a UNESCO-recognised ecosystem of global biodiversity significance. Groups of up to 20 people of all ages can participate, with adult tickets priced at €17.50 and children's tickets at €8.75.
Conveniently located approximately 20 minutes from Faro and 50 minutes from Portimão, the factory is accessible to both tourists and local residents. With consistently high visitor ratings and an authentic connection to Portugal's cultural and ecological heritage, the Eco-Cork Factory stands as a model for combining traditional industry with environmental education and sustainable tourism.
Our Goal
To preserve and share Portugal's centuries-old cork heritage by combining a traditional family-run cork processing facility with public educational experiences that highlight the sustainability of cork oak harvesting.
Our Wishes
The Eco-Cork Factory welcomes visitors, school groups, and curious travellers to book guided tours and nature workshops, and invites partnerships with sustainable tourism operators and environmental educators.
