Aldeia da Pedralva – Nature & Village Experience

Could this be the way that eco tourism develops in future? Aldeia da Pedralva is not just a single accommodation or boutique hotel. It’s a complete village with its own ecosystem in the heart of Portugal’s Vicentine coast - and not an ordinary one at that. It’s the brainchild of Antonio Ferreira who was looking for a different type of place that met his lofty requirements for an eco resort.

A quiet place, close to everything but at the same time away from the confusion, near nature and the sea, near the greatest number of beaches, and space for children.

The answer, after many years of searching in vain, was the Aldeia da Pedralva. Before Antonio arrived the village was completely deserted, but after he set eyes on it the idea hit him that given its location and natural attributes, this could make a fabulous active tourism resort. And so he set about buying all the houses individually.

Nowadays, Aldeia da Pedralva comes complete with its own gourmet store, restaurant, outlet and it even has its own business centre equipped with audiovisual technology and computers. Except that in this village there are no traffic lights!

After two years hard graft the “village” now boasts 31 houses in all - 13 with one bedroom, 8 with two bedrooms and 2 with three bedrooms. There are dozens of things to do here, it’s not a sleepy village. In fact, part of this new eco concept is that Aldeia da Pedralva can help you in numerous nature activities. From surfing, biking and fishing, to trekking, bird watching and golf – amongst many other things to do.