Vila Akoya

Vila Akoya is a tiny house village, glamping site and creative community on the river Mira, near Ourique, on the border of Alentejo and the Algarve. It offers tiny homes, a campsite for shorter stays and a full calendar of workshops, classes and activities for people of all ages. Its founders describe it as a mix of a wholesome festival, an artistic campsite, a permaculture farm and an eco-village. Sammy and Hans started it with their children, Joyaa and Akhoda. They had decided to settle in Portugal and build a village where the children could grow up surrounded by nature and a supportive community, rather than living life on their own. On site there are spaces for wellness and relaxation, playgrounds for children and adults, and areas set aside for meeting people and celebrating. For children there's a homeschooling hub, combined with outdoor adventure and play. Residents and guests take part in creative arts: ceramics, woodwork, natural building, weaving, photography, improv, painting, writing and music. They also work on practical skills, including permaculture, cooking, fermentation, foraging, herbal medicine, survival skills, first aid, beekeeping, composting, construction, carpentry, welding and sewing. The community runs on a participatory model. Residents and guests can host informal workshops, taking turns to teach and learn, as a way of bringing the community together. The land is surrounded by olive groves and rolling hills, and the river keeps flowing even at the end of the dry season.