Herdade do Touril

Bringing together a rustic farm setting with easy access to the beach, Herdade do Touril’s location promises the best of both worlds. 

Accommodations at Herdade do Touril are spread across rooms, suites and standalone cottages. Rooms have a rustic feel, with rugged stone floor tiles and wooden doors, window shutters and furnishings. In the Standard Double rooms, the wood is painted sky blue, contrasting with the whitewashed walls to create a Mediterranean look; the suites have a similarly cosy feel, boosted by the presence of a fireplace.

Some of the standalone houses, like the Deluxe Double with side sea view and Deluxe One-Bedroom house, have a more contemporary look. Most, though, share in the rustic theme – some even feature farmyard items, like antique pitchforks and rakes, decorating the walls. Despite the retro feel, all rooms feature modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, LCD TVs, and contemporary bathrooms with stylish square basins and bathtubs. All also feature a private terrace, some overlooking the sea.

In keeping with the rustic feel of the hotel, breakfast is a hearty affair. Choose from a homely spread of locally produced meats and cheeses, Portuguese sweets and freshly-baked bread, washed down with coffee and freshly squeezed fruit juices. Dinners can also be booked by prior arrangement, with warming soups, delicious game and grilled meat dishes drawn from the repertoire of Portuguese country cuisine – just the thing to come home to after a day’s hiking.

Alternatively, the friendly staff will happily recommend some fantastic restaurants in the nearby town of Zambujeira do Mar. Alcoholic and soft drinks are available through an honesty bar system.

After a day spent exploring the countryside, there’s nothing more relaxing than spending an evening in the hotel’s saltwater swimming pool, drink in hand, as the sun goes down.

The prime attraction in this corner of the world is the Rota Vicentina, a network of hiking trails divided into two separate routes. The first, the Fisherman’s Trail, follows the coast, taking in rugged beaches and clifftops famous for their nesting storks. This is the section of the Rota which the hotel sits on. The second trail, the History Walk, winds into the interior, connecting rural villages and historic towns. Some of these trails are accessible only on foot, but a few can also be followed by bike.

If all that sounds a bit too much like hard work, head to the beautiful Odeceixe Beach, where you can laze, swim, or surf on a board borrowed from the hotel.