Quinta Camarena (Alentejo, Portugal)

ABOUT THE SURF CAMP

Discover Alentejo's Beauty

Less than two hours from Lisbon, Quinta Camarena lets you step straight into the Alentejo rhythm—peaceful countryside with the wild Costa Vicentina coast close by. On our 4-hectare property, you’ll find the rare mix of space, privacy, and safety that makes it easy to truly switch off. Here, you can do as much—or as little—as you like: slow mornings, spontaneous adventures, time in nature, and the easy warmth of the local community.

There’s something special about this place. The landscape shifts with the light, the air carries the scent of herbs and trees, and the sounds—birds overhead, sheep bells in the distance—pull you out of your head and back into the moment. Cercal has that “stepping back in time” charm, yet it’s also full of quiet creativity: people building thoughtful, more sustainable lives—often by returning to what matters most. Even the flavors feel brighter here, from the produce to the regional wines.

Your days can be as simple as a morning hike or outdoor workout, followed by a home-style brunch with local bread and juice from our own trees. Spend the afternoon in a shaded lounge corner or stretched out by the pool, wrapped in forest stillness. As the sun drops, gather for homemade meals made with local ingredients, watch the sky turn orange and deep red, and end the night under a truly dark, star-filled sky. Come wander, come celebrate, come solo—or come do nothing at all.

Sustainable & Pet Friendly

What we care about at Quinta Camarena

Sustainability is a way of life at Quinta Camarena. Our family has a deep respect and love for the region of Alentejo and we are passionately committed to protecting and preserving her to the best of our ability. Gratefully, we are able to plant our roots here and carry a strong sense of social responsibility to our community. We are excited to share the authenticity and natural beauty of the land with our guests.

Relax & Buzz

Enjoy the Sauna- Heat up the body in the sauna hidden in the woods

Yoga and Pilates classes - group and private in our yoga shalla surrounded by pine trees

Exercise in our gym - open 24 h a day

Water sports - surf, sup and kayaking – only 15ms drive away

Massage - in door /outdoor

Your escape in Alentejo

Cam grew up in Los Angeles, and Vera is from Porto. We met while living and working in New York City, and like many city dwellers, we spent our free time chasing fresh air—traveling whenever we could to surf, move, and be outdoors. We never expected that love of the ocean and adventure would lead us to Alentejo, but the moment we found this region, it felt like a natural next step in our journey.

Choosing to settle in Cercal meant stepping away from careers, routines, and the comfort of a life we had already built. What once felt like a far-off dream—creating a home in Portugal where we could welcome guests and host retreats—slowly became real. Quinta Camarena grew from that desire: to build the kind of place we were always looking for when we traveled—calm, beautiful, and deeply connected to nature.

We’re still shaping and improving Quinta Camarena season by season, and we’re constantly inspired by the region itself: its wild coastline, its traditions, the warmth of the local community, and the exciting new projects that keep appearing around us. We also personally curate the spaces—rooms, houses, and outdoor areas—so they feel thoughtful and lived-in, with details that have meaning and stories we’re always happy to share.

We’d love for you to come experience it. Visit Quinta Camarena, settle into the slower rhythm of Alentejo, and let this place become part of your own journey.

ACCOMMODATION AND CATERING

Hillside Quarto

These are our newest rooms secluded in our private forest and further away from the pool and common space.  Note there is an approximate 250mt (4min) hike to these rooms. But the payoff with the view is spectacular. Multilevel rooms and a private terrace with a view of the Alentejo sunset. Every room is a duplex with a private bathroom, AC, soap/shampoo, hairdryer and large sliding glass window opening to the terrace. These rooms are for adults only.

Casita Mae

This is a spacious 1 bedroom apartment on the ground floor of a 2 level traditional country house.  Large living room and kitchenette area. The tall glass doors open to the outside letting in the beautiful afternoon sun.  There are 2 small private patios. 

In order to maintain a serene and safe environment,  children under the age of 12 are not admitted to Quinta Camarena.

Country Loft

This cool rustic loft is located on the Attic of a 2 level traditional building and has a rustic wood feeling with ceiling windows that provide beautiful natural light.

The space has a  private double bedroom with top-quality linens, 1 full bathroom, and a spacious living room with a fully equipped kitchenette.  The fun decor is made of sustainable local materials, some modern art pieces, and plants. 

In order to maintain a serene and safe environment,  children under the age of 12 are not admitted to Quinta Camarena.

Rustic Charm Room

Cozy room with double or 2 single beds, each with a private bathroom.  The room has been curated with many handmade pieces and local art crafts following sustainable principles.

The beds have top-quality linens made in Portugal. Rooms  have a hairdryer and local, artisanal soaps made with organic ingredients.

The 4 available bedrooms are located inside Villa do Laranjal (below) and give access to a shared kitchen, living room, and outdoor patio.

Sobreiro Double Suite

One of our newest rooms secluded in our private forest and further away from the pool and common space for privacy and tranquility. This particular room is the only one of it's size, as it's double the size of a regular Hillside Cuarto equipped with a clawfoot tub and reading chairs.  Note there is an approximate 250mt (4min) hike to this room. But the payoff with the view is spectacular. Multilevel rooms and a private terrace with a view of the Alentejo sunset. Every room is a duplex with a private bathroom, AC, soap/shampoo, hairdryer and large sliding glass window opening to the terrace. These rooms are for adults only.

Vila do Laranjal

A great option for the whole family or a group of friends.

This is a 4 bedroom country house with a living room and kitchenette. It's located right near the pool and every bedroom has large windows, first quality linens and it's own private restroom. The kitchen is fully equipped with an electric stove and oven and there is even a grill outside. A large table inside and a private patio outside with a lounge area makes this house perfect for a group of friends that like to cook and spend time enjoying meals together.

The decor has been meticulously curated with antiques, art pieces, and local sustainable craftsmanship. 

In order to maintain a serene and safe environment,  children under the age of 12 are not admitted to Quinta Camarena.

The Whole Quinta

Book the whole property for your group event  for a maximum of 23 people. More people can be accommodated in similar proprieties walking distance. We can support you in the organization of your event, retreat, meeting or wedding. 

Healthy & Delicious

Book our Brunches and Dinners all with local, artisanal and organic products. Healthy meals full of flavors. Influences from all over the world in a cuisine with seasonal and local produce

Visit to Wineries -local, family owned and sustainable

Visit to producers – cheese makers, organic farms

Try our cocktails

Cooking classes

SURF COURSE AND ACTIVITIES

A family gathering, a social function, or hosting your retreat...

Host your next retreat or event at Quinta Camarena—whether it’s a family gathering, celebration, corporate offsite, or a wellness retreat. You can reserve the entire property for a private experience, and we’ll support the planning and logistics as much (or as little) as you need.

To get started, send us an inquiry and we’ll share a detailed PDF with spaces, capacities, sample setups, and key details—this usually answers most questions (and may spark a few new ideas). Either way, we’re happy to start a conversation and help you shape something that fits your group.

Our calm setting, thoughtful design, and nature all around make it easy to create a meaningful experience—from yoga, meditation, fitness, and surf retreats to birthdays, anniversaries, small weddings, workshops, and team sessions. You’ll also have access to The Ground—our hilltop platform set among the trees with panoramic views—ideal for movement practices, brainstorming and presentations, sunset dinners, or even a dance floor.

MORE INFO, HOW TO GET THERE & FAQ

-

PACKAGES & PRICES

This package includes:

Stretch, Splash, Repeat – No Gurus, Just Good Vibes

Ready to swap stress for sunsets and perfect poses for playful wipeouts? Our Not So Serious Yoga & Surf Retreat is all about movement, laughter, and letting go. You'll stretch, breathe, and build strength on the mat—then take that flow straight to the waves. Whether you're new to yoga, surfing, or both, this is your space to learn, laugh, and feel good. 

Yoga and surfing are such complementary activities as they both improve your overall strength, balance and focus. But most important here , they're fun and they're supposed to make you feel great. 

But this retreat is also about connection: to nature, to community, and to the laid-back rhythm of local life. We’ll hike stunning coastal trails, explore charming villages, and get a real taste of Portuguese culture along the way.

What’s Included with your stay:

6 nights at Quinta Camarena with access to all the common areas, pool, gym, gardens, and trails

Tour of the property and introduction to the region, local plants, wildlife and our sustainable practices.

Delicious and healthy daily ?brunch and dinner with local, seasonal and organic products.

Yoga sessions at The Ground, our studio in the forest. Our certified instructors will personalize the class to accommodate all levels. The classes will be mixing different yoga styles (mostly Hatha and Vinyasa based). 

4 Surf classes in the beautiful beaches of Costa Vicentina. Wetsuit and boards included.

1 guided coastal hike along the Fishermans trail with a stop to swim in the ocean and time to relax on the beach.

Wine tasting : Every evening we will present a different wine from a local small sustainable producer

Gift bag and welcome cocktail

Coffee, tea, fruit and (healthy) cake all day

What´s the program like?

Our daily schedule flows with the tides to make the most of the best surf conditions. Most mornings kick off with either an energizing yoga session or a beach trip for a morning surf—never too early though, this is your vacation. Afterward, we refuel with a delicious, healthy brunch to keep the good vibes (and energy) going.

Afternoons usually bring the other main activity—yoga or surf, depending on the day. In between, we’ll mix in a wonderful hike along the stunning landscapes of the protected natural park of Vicentina Coast. ,There’s also time built in to do absolutely nothing. But if staying still isn’t your thing, don’t worry— there's a gym, bikes and plenty of hiking trails to explore. You can find quaint rural towns, green pastures, century old windmills, lakes, waterfalls..

You can also treat yourself with a massage, a sauna session or a Forrest bath. 

Food & wine are part of our culture and play an important role in Quinta Camarena. Our concept is healthy, delicious and sustainable. We avoid industrialized  and refined ingredients. We use what´s coming from our garden, local farmers and small regional producers. You´ll find lots of organic veggies and fruits , sourdough freshly baked breads, eggs from our chickens, natural cheeses, homemade jams and cakes , wholegrains and no lack of gluten free and vegan options..