We have a soft spot for places where everyday life means picking a watermelon or fig straight from the tree, where the biggest attraction is watching bees at work, and where the menu changes with the seasons. Mornings start with herbal tea made from freshly picked leaves, and evenings taste like wine from grapes grown just beyond the fence.

Long ago, this was a self-sufficient farm—growing vegetables, pressing olive oil, making wine, raising animals, and even sewing clothes. 200 years later, much has stayed the same—and that’s a good thing. The only difference? Now you sleep in a comfy bed with soft linens. The charm of this rustic Portuguese farm remains untouched.

In the morning, you’ll hear cows passing by, and by afternoon, the rhythmic gallop of horses. You can try your hand at olive harvesting, paint with plant-based pigments, or shape your own pottery from clay. In the evening, there’s nothing better than sitting on the terrace with a piece of homemade bread dipped in freshly pressed olive oil. Oh, and did we mention the sun shines here 275 days a year?

Photos: barrocal.pt