Holidays in Northern Portugal
On our holidays in Northern Portugal you can choose between horse riding, mountain biking, walking, yoga, massages or just relaxing in a romantic atmosphere…
We currently offer multi-activity and adventurous horse riding holidays for experienced and inexperienced horse lovers. We offer rides out, riding lessons, horsemanship courses, mountain biking, walking, kayaking, climbing, yoga, archery or the opportunity to just relax and perhaps get a massage in beautiful, natural surroundings. Our holiday homes have private gardens and a swimming pool in summer and there is free WIFI in the holiday accommodation. Please contact us for full details of our holidays and courses.
Our holidays are located in the Beira Alta, a beautiful natural region near Coimbra. Here between Serra da Estrela the highest mountain on mainland Portugal, the Caramulo mountains and the Serra do Açor you’ll find Roman ruins, striking rock formations, Neolithic dolmen, picturesque rivers and small waterfalls. You can soak up the atmosphere of the Portuguese countryside with its traditional villages, friendly people, shepherds with herds of sheep and goats… and above all spectacular scenery.
Horse Riding Holidays in Northern Portugal
Whether you are looking for an adventurous or relaxing ride trekking for an hour or a weekend or want to learn to ride, our holidays offer lovely, responsive horses, unforgettable rides with lots of long canters for those who want them, clean air, bird song, pure well water, relaxation, starlight and outstanding natural beauty. We use English tack and encourage guests to take care of their own horses. Riding lessons are available and beginners are welcome.
Horsemanship Courses
We are currently organising horsemanship courses with Adam Shereston a well-respected horseman from the UK. On these courses you will learn to understand your horse better and be able to communicate with him better from the ground and in the saddle. All courses cover the following topics, from a basic to an advanced level depending on the duration of the course: the language of horses, feel, intuition, balance and timing, synchronisation, groundwork and ridden work and maneuvers. You can choose to join a workshop of 2 days or more days or do a combination of a workshop and a relaxing holiday on our farm, with plenty of time for riding and also visiting some of the most beautiful places in Portugal as well. The number of nights and riding days or hours can be tailor made. You may bring your own horse or use one of ours.
Mountain Biking and Hiking Holidays in Northern Portugal
For cyclists who love to get out and about on fun, challenging trails with spectacular scenery we have mountain bikes to hire. There are 6 semi-professional mountain bikes. You can ride out by yourself or download online routes – there is a 60 km Marathon 1 minute from the accommodation.
For those who prefer to hike our guide Leen will take you along the most beautiful trails in the Serra da Estrela or in the neighborhood. You can choose to walk for just a couple of hours or a trek of one or two days. There are walks for casual and experienced hikers. There are also more than 20 geocaching locations in the area.
Adventure Holidays
If it all sounds tempting we also provide combined adventure holidays in Northern Portugal. This means that we offer you the chance to discover the natural beauty of the region not only by horse but also by kayak, mountain bike, rock climbing and on your own two feet! The kayaking take place in the valley of the Mondego River, the guided walking tours occur in the Mountains of Serra da Estrela. You can pick and mix the activities and also plan excursions to Coimbra, Porto, the coastal area of Aveiro, through beautiful mountain villages like Manteigas or Sabougeira or to the Torre, the highest mountain on mainland Portugal.
Please or use the form below to contact us for help planning activity holidays in Northern Portugal
Our Farm and Guesthouses
Our farm, or quinta, has two beautiful guesthouses and a gypsy wagon sleeping up to 20 people in total. The holiday apartments have their own plunge pools, kitchens, bathrooms, terraces, private garden and WIFI. They are located close to the beautiful historical village of Midões which has a church, palace and spectacular old houses of the Portuguese nobility. The village has its own supermarkets, restaurants and several bars. Let’s not forget the beautiful views of the mountains.
The quinta is an ideal base for day trips to the historic cities of Coimbra, Viseu and Porto and the coastal towns of Figueira da Foz, Aveiro amongst others. So on one holiday you can easily take in the cultural highlights as well as enjoying a relaxing or adventurous holiday in the countryside.
On your holiday in Northern Portugal you could be touched by the first sunbeams over our quinta…. You could be sitting next to the wood stove comfortably reading a book ? Be gazing out of the window watching the green valleys. Or in summertime melt away in the shade on the terrace next to the pool filled with water from our well, taking a refreshing dip every once in a while and then sinking back into the cushions again.
You’ll hear the nightingale sing his song from dusk till dawn. See the buzzard high in the sky, watch the free-range chicken family scratch the dirt and see the horses playing.
Our guests enjoy days filled with dazzling nature, lots of cultural information, good food and company. Our holidays in Northern Portugal are truly relaxing for body and mind and a unique and unforgettable experience.