Join our family committed to creativity, nature, and self-sufficiency in Marmelete, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Hey there! We’re a small family of three living in the hills of Monchique, Portugal. We homeschool our son and also host regular meetups with friends and their kids, so there’s often a lively little crew here exploring, playing, and discovering the world around them.
  
  Life here is simple and close to nature. The children spend a lot of time outdoors, and we’d love to welcome people who enjoy being with them—sharing skills, games, crafts, stories, or just joining in their adventures. They’re always curious and love learning from new people in creative, playful ways. We also welcome your cooking skills if you'd like to feed a little crowd! If you have a freelearner family yourself, perfect—your kids can also enjoy their time here :)
  
  There’s also plenty to do around the land: gardening, fixing and building things, clearing and tidying old ruins, or helping with small projects that keep the place growing and cared for. What we really value is not only ideas, but also hands and a spirit of doing—rolling up sleeves, trying things out, and making little steps together that bring this place to life. We especially appreciate people who are independent and proactive, who can see what needs doing and dive in without needing much direction.
  
  We have a community kitchen where you can prepare your meal and, during our homeschool meetups with friends, we come together for shared meals, which is always a lovely way to connect and enjoy the community spirit.
  
  You’ll also find peaceful spots for working out, running, or simply enjoying nature. The nearby village is within walking distance (8 minutes), with a supermarket, restaurants, and even an organic shop and café!
  
  We try to live in harmony with the land and avoid using synthetic or chemical products whenever possible, and we ask anyone staying with us to do the same.
  
  So if you’re looking for nature, community, and the joy of spending time with children in a free and playful environment—while also lending a hand with practical projects—you’re warmly invited to join us. This place has a lively, grounding energy, and who knows, it might just inspire something in you too.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Blogging

  

  Art & design

  

  Hiking

  

  Mountain

  

  Camping

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Fitness

  

  Nature

  

  Beach

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Plant care

  

  Technology

  

  Sustainability

  

  Gardening

  

  Farming

  

  Van life
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Travellers visiting us and Marmelete will experience a small typical Portuguese village and life on the countryside. Located in the Serra de Monchique, Algarve, Marmelete is steeped in history, including the local legend of its founding by a shipwrecked captain and his crew.
  
  Traditional practices include cork harvesting, beekeeping, and the production of honey, wax, and medronho, a local spirit made from the Medronho tree's berries. The village is also known for its Black Iberian pig and other local delicacies.
  
  Marmelete is a great place for hiking, offering scenic trails and breathtaking views. The village occasionally hosts fun celebrations, including the Chestnut Festival, the 1st of May hike and pig roast, the Sardine Festival, the Handicraft Festival and more. A motorhome park is also soon opening nearby with a public pool. Marmelete and its surroundings is also home to a thriving alternative expat community with many events happening on a regular basis.
  
  Our place is within walking distance from the village, allowing easy access to these events, restaurants, a small supermarket and daily interactions with the village community. A new organic store has recently opened offering healthy food and vegetables.
  
  It is conveniently located near Aljezur (15-minute drive), Monchique (30-minute drive), and Portimão (40-minute drive), making it easy to explore the surrounding areas and the beauty of the Algarvian beaches.
  
  It's also a 20-minute drive away form the famous Pizza Night (Fridayhappiness). Held every Wednesday and Friday it offers homemade Italian-style pizza, drinks, music, dancing on multiple stages, and has been described as a unique and vibrant gathering for both locals and travelers.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Activities with children (aged 6 to 14), cooking for the community, gardening and help around the land, help with building wood projects, wood collecting, wood cutting, ruin clearing, painting wood

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent
  Serbian: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  We can offer a spacious tent as sleeping option. We have spots for motorhomes or vans with power and (drinking) water. We have a common sanitary unit with two restrooms and a hot rain shower. You can also use the washing machine and separate kitchen sink. We also have a community kitchen where you can prepare meals (hot water sink, gas stove and oven).

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  What else ...

  Activities you can do around Marmelete:
  
  - Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the Monchique Mountains, enjoy panoramic views at Foia, and relax at the Caldas de Monchique thermal springs.
  - Visit Local Villages: Discover traditional crafts and markets in Monchique, and explore the stunning coastline and historic castle in Aljezur.
  - Outdoor Activities: Mountain biking, birdwatching, and horseback riding through the scenic Algarve countryside.
  - Cultural and Historical Sites: Visit the restored Moinho do Poucochinho windmill and the Igreja Matriz de Marmelete parish church.
  - Community and Wellbeing: Take part in yoga sessions, sound healing, or meditation circles, and join local gatherings

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Although we do not have high-speed internet, we have decent Wifi that can be used in our outdoor chill garden. If you stay with us for a longer period, it's recommended that you get a mobile card from Vodafone (this network works best here).

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have some spots for campervans or motorhomes with water and power. The access is good but steep in some parts. It's not suitable for very large campers.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We have a cat that usually doesn't mind other cats if they are chill, too. Dogs will be an issue though.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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