Join us on an eco farm to experience traditional village life in Avô, Central Portugal

Details

• 

  Description

  We live on a 6-hectare organic farm in Central Portugal that offers stunning views of the nearby mountain range.
  The farm produces olive oil, wine, vinegar, vegetables, and a variety of fruits. The land stretches over a series of ancient stone terraces which have been farmed for centuries. We can still use and admire an intricate system of water sources, irrigation channels, and wells - all built in stone by some ancient giants, possibly dating back to Roman times.
  For the last few years, we have had the privilege of taking care of this amazing piece of land, planting new trees and seeding pastures, regenerating the parts damaged by conventional agriculture and fires, as well as discovering something new and fascinating about it every day.
  Presently, we focus on the effort to replant and reforest the land after huge wildfires that devastated the area in the summer of 2025.
  You are welcome to join us in everyday farm life, taking care of plants, animals, infrastructure, and other people who visit.
  
  ABOUT US
  Originally, we are both from Poland, and different paths led us to this beautiful stone village surrounded by streams, rivers, and mountains. We love to share what Nature and wise teachers have taught us. We like to stay away from the crowds and immerse ourselves in real, deep human connections.
  Gosia (40) is an interpreter and translator, a yoga teacher, and a lecturer at the University of Porto. She has lived in Portugal since 2007. Having run one of the first artistic hostels in Lisbon for a decade, she suddenly found herself among the olive trees of Avô.
  Błażej [Portuguese: Bráz] (51) is a researcher, teacher trainer, farmer, and chief editor in a publishing house.
  Currently, we are becoming increasingly involved in educational activities in Portugal and want to develop the farm into a more self-sustainable unit able to host larger groups for practical workshops and youth programmes.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
• 

  Interests

  

  Self development

  

  Sustainability

  

  Hiking

  

  Culture

  

  Farming

  

  Animals

  

  Music

  

  Plant care

  

  Books

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  Dancing

  

  Mountain

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  — Learn traditional and mechanised organic farming practices.
  — Be a part of a large movement to reforest and regenerate an area devastated by recent wildfires.
  — Engage with a local community of like-minded people.
  — Spend quiet time with plants and animals. Learn to disconnect.
  — Take part in yoga asana and meditation practice in our yurt.
  
  Our farm is located on the outskirts of a mountaing village with a supportive local community, where people have time to stop and talk to each other. There are four traditional music bands and lots of events, especially in the summer. It is an old stone village with a beautiful river beach, shops, cafes and a restaurant. Otherwise quiet, it gets quite busy during the holiday months.
  
  The area has also attracted a lot of foreigners, who settled here to lead a more conscious and connected lives.
  It's famous for its "hippie" markets, where an amazing array of local hand made products can be found. Everything from organic olive oil soaps, to ferments of all kinds, dishes from all over the world, cheeses, clothes and jewelry.

• 

  Help

  Depending on the season:
  — planting and weeding in the vegetable garden
  — planting trees
  — watering the vegetable garden and trees
  — pruning the orchard and vineyard
  — land maintenance with manual tools
  — care of animals (sheep, chickens, dogs and cats)
  — maintaining/installing irrigation
  — cutting and carrying branches
  — operating a wood chipper
  — woodworking and other DIY projects
  — help with cooking and other household tasks
  — collecting seeds
  
  
  At the moment we need help taking care of over 200 recently planted trees. There is also a lot of trees (mainly oak and chestnut) regrowing after the fires, so one of the tasks is to clean around them and select shoots to help the forest grow again after last year's fires.
  
  Everyday there is also lighter work such as seed collection, cooking, cleaning of the common areas, weeding in the vegetable gardens etc.
  
  We are happy to hear more about your needs and expectations and to discuss together what type of tasks fits your situation best.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  Polish: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent
  French: Intermediate
  Dutch: Beginner
  Russian: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
• 

  Accommodation

  Visitors might be staying either on the farm or — like most portuguese families living outside of the farmland — a few minutes away in the nearby village.
  
  The farm offers simple accommodation in private or shared rooms, or in tents with access to kitchen, compost toilet, bathroom area and shower. Mobile reception is good but we do not offer Internet access on the farm. We recommend being device-free in common areas as much as possible.
  
  The village house (5 min away from the farm) is an ancient stone house with comfortable accommodation in private of shared rooms. Garden and kitchen access. High speed internet. A few steps to a cafe, shops and an amazing beach where two mountain rivers (Alva and Pomares) join their currents.
  
  Farm or house — availability of places depends on the schedule. If you have a preference, let us know.

• 

  What else ...

  Public transport:
  To get to Avô, you need to get a Rede Expressos bus to Vendas de Galizes (region: Oliveira do Hospital).
  The buses go from Lisbon (4 hours), Porto (2 hours) and Coimbra (1 hour).
  
  It's a fifteen-minute drive and we will pick you up from there. Check: rede-expressos.pt for schedule.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Can host digital nomads

  Visitors might be staying either on the farm or — like most portuguese families living outside of the farmland — a few minutes away in the nearby village. The farm offers simple accommodation in private or shared rooms, or in tents with access to kitchen, compost toilet, bathroom area and shower. Mobile reception is good. We do not offer Internet access on the farm and recommend staying device-free in common areas as much as possible. The house in the village has a high-speed fibreoptic internet connection suitable for remote work and play.

• 

  Can possibly accept pets

  Contact us to discuss details.

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  My animals / pets

  

  Tzuki & Tayoo (5 months)

  Cats: brother and sister born in our friends house. Arrived on the farm one June 1st 2026

  

  Prana & Vidya (4 months)

  2 puppies sisters, arrived here 8th of May :)

  

  Ziggy (13 years)

Website Safety

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

Feedback (1)