Organic Farm & Animal Tour near Serra da Estrela, Portugal

You leave with permaculture ideas you can actually use at home.

A hands-on farm activity near Serra da Estrela in Portugal where you meet horses, sheep, goats and chickens, explore vegetable and medicinal gardens, and learn permaculture and self-sufficiency directly from the farm owners. The experience lasts about two and a half hours and includes a tasting platter of farm cheese, olive oil, olives, seasonal fruit and vegetables, and homemade jams. A live guide speaks English, Portuguese or French, and transportation to and from the farm is available as an option.

The experience

What does a working family farm actually do? This activity answers it by putting you in the middle of one. You start by meeting the animals (horses, sheep, goats, chickens, dogs and cats), and helping feed them in a safe, guided setting. From there you move through the vegetable and medicinal gardens, where you learn how plants grow using eco-friendly principles and sometimes take part in simple tasks like planting or harvesting. The farm sits among 250 ancient olive trees and traditional grape varieties, so you walk through a living agricultural landscape, not a manicured display.

The tasting platter arrives with what the season offers: cheese, olive oil, olives, fresh fruit and vegetables straight from the garden, and homemade jams. When fruit is ripe (grapes, peaches, apples, raspberries), you taste it where it grows. The farm owners guide the whole visit, so the learning stays practical and grounded in what they actually do every day. You leave with concrete ideas about permaculture, self-sufficiency and eco-friendly habits that translate to your own kitchen and garden, not abstract principles.

The activity runs about two and a half hours and suits all fitness levels. Infants and small children can come in a pram or stroller, and service animals are welcome. If you need it, transportation to and from the farm can be arranged at checkout.

What’s included

• Hands-on interaction with farm animals including feeding.
• guided walk through vegetable and medicinal gardens with the chance to help with planting or harvesting.
• access to the orchard and olive grove with 250 ancient trees.
• farm produce tasting platter with cheese, olive oil, olives, seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables, and homemade jams.
• live guide in English, Portuguese or French.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDepartures at 09:00 and 14:00

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 97 years) · Youth (13 to 16 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, French and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Hortus Vitae

Is this one for you?Small groups and families work best here because the farm owners guide you directly, so the learning stays personal and the pace stays relaxed. If you're traveling with kids or want hands-on time with animals and gardens rather than a walking tour, this fits the day.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 16 years); Child (4 to 12 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What animals will I actually interact with on the farm?

You meet and help feed horses, sheep, goats, chickens, dogs and cats in a family-friendly, guided setting where the farm owners show you how they care for each one daily.

Is there food included, or do I need to bring lunch?

A tasting platter is included with farm cheese, olive oil, olives, and seasonal produce from the gardens (grapes, peaches, apples, raspberries, tomatoes and other vegetables depending on when you visit) plus homemade jams.

How long does the farm activity take?

The experience runs about two and a half hours, from meeting the animals through the gardens and orchard to the tasting platter.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the farm?

Transportation to and from the farm is available as an option at checkout. You can arrange it when you book or make your own way there.