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We don’t sit still very well on holiday, and after about four days in one location, even my kids get twitchy asking where we’re going next. If you caught my blog post on Areias do Seixo villas, you’ll know that was our first stop on our family holiday in Portugal, and Craveiral Farmhouse was our second.

It was about a three-hour drive South between the two. Across Portuguese countryside that looked like you could’ve been in Margaret River, Australia… we were half expecting to see kangaroos grazing in the fields. But instead, we enjoyed the majestic eucalyptus trees that lined the roadside and sweeping views over scorched fields (sadly, some from fires and not just the sunshine).

We did hire a car from Lisbon Airport with Hertz, and it was pretty easy. Renting a car in Portugal gave us the freedom to stop wherever we fancied, especially since public transport can be a bit patchy in more rural areas. I definitely recommend rental cars if you’re planning a trip that includes multiple stops like ours.

First Impressions

Arriving at the farmhouse, you’re met with a low-level white building that melts into the landscape. I caught glimpses of a huge macramé wall hanging through the windows and knew I was going to feel at home. The landscaping was full of ponytail grasses (must grow some more at home next year — they’re a delight), intersected with split logs. A wagging tail from the owners’ beagle dog greeted us as we stepped inside, and we felt instantly at ease.

The estate is split into little clusters of villas, each no more than ten rooms. Ours was the furthest from the main area (about a ten-minute walk – nothing dramatic), and the only one with its own swimming pool in the middle of the cluster. The little ‘villages’ made it feel super relaxing, spread out, and not on top of each other.

Tip: There are plenty of bikes around that you can hop on if you don’t fancy a walk.

The Accommodation

We had a studio room, which meant a double bed (sectioned off with more beautiful macramé art), and a living area with a sofa bed. We opted to put two roll-out beds in for the kids and keep the sofa bed as a sofa. The unit also came with a kitchenette, which you could totally cook in, if the restaurant hadn’t been so tempting.

Tip: We had room C4. Although it was one of the furthest villas, it’s near the car parking and the family of goats.

The Food

Breakfast was served in the main reception area and restaurant each day, with a mix of hot food being cooked to order outside and an indoor area with cold cooked food and cereals. The gluten-free bread wasn’t great, but I was kept happy with scrambled eggs and fruit. They serve a lot of produce from their own garden and the raspberries were amazing!

I also loved that you were allowed to pick whatever you wanted from the gardens to cook and eat yourself – including eggs from the chickens and all the herbs. A proper eco-friendly holiday Portugal touch that we loved.

Dinner was delicious – lots of fresh fish and veggies from the garden, plus lovely wines. And yes, we had our fair share of pastel de nata throughout the trip.

Activities

On site there was a private wood-fired sauna, hot tub, and ice bath which you could book for free as often as you wanted. They also ran a mix of cinema nights, yoga classes (one of my favourite classes I took on our holiday – I just wish they had run them every day), explorer sessions for kids, and baking workshops.

We also tried a beginner’s horse ride, but little did we know it would be on an actual cliff edge. Although the horses were amazing, I threw a tantrum after about half an hour and got off and walked home (I’m super scared of heights). The amazing sunset scenery just wasn’t enough to distract me from the near-death experience.

Local Beaches

The local beaches were a highlight – popular but not too busy (even on the bank holiday). Lots of soft sand and cute little surf restaurants.

We ended up buying our own parasol (wishing we’d brought the one from last year with us), as you definitely need a bit of shade on the beach. But then promptly lost it going through security at the international airport on the way home. We chalked it up to a tourist-tax and learning experience that comes with the joys of travelling to new countries.

The beaches along this part of the coast of Portugal really are something special – wild, scenic, and totally worth the detour.

Final Thoughts

What I loved here is that they’re set up to welcome guests all year round, with log burners in the rooms and an indoor swimming pool. And as it’s only two hours south of Lisbon, I bet they’re super popular in the winter months too. They want to offer employment to the local area all year round and not just in the summer, it’s a concept I loved.

I really felt our time at Craveiral Farmhouse wasn’t long enough and wouldn’t hesitate to go again. If this is your first trip to Portugal, I highly recommend mixing inland farmhouse stays like this with coastal visits and a bit of city time. It’s a brilliant balance – especially for a family-friendly itinerary.

If you’re planning a trip and want a relaxed, stylish, slightly off-grid spot, Craveiral Farmhouse should be high on your list. It may not be a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it definitely felt like a hidden gem.