Várzea da Gonçala

Várzea da Gonçala is a 7.5-hectare permaculture smallholding nestled among the hills of the western Algarve, bordered by the Cerca river, 12km from the Atlantic coast and 6km from Aljezur. Over 18 years, the land has been lovingly developed into a diverse, tree-based productive ecosystem following permaculture principles, with a vision of creating a living landscape where families and communities can grow and thrive alongside nature. The property features hundreds of mature fruit and nut trees — including pear, plum, apricot, peach, fig, lemon, orange, grapefruit, nespera, almond and walnut — as well as medronho bushes and cork oak trees. An extensive organic vegetable garden, a natural greywater system, compost toilets, and numerous soil-improvement and ecosystem-diversity initiatives reflect the depth of permaculture practice embedded in the land. The estate includes four houses built in traditional taipa (rammed earth) style with wood burners, various structures, and a unique social space featuring a traditional bread oven and fireplaces. Water resources include two wells, a borehole, and a 70,000-litre storage tank, with a stream bordering the property. Over the years, Várzea da Gonçala has hosted 15 permaculture design courses, operated as a successful guesthouse, and served as a place of peaceful community living. It also hosted the 2013 European WWOOF convention and was featured in Permaculture Magazine in 2013/2014. The property is now for sale at €950,000 (negotiable) and presents an exceptional opportunity for those wishing to continue its legacy as a community living project, retreat centre, educational facility, or sustainable guesthouse.