A warm welcome
The lowdown
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Best for
Families should opt for a two or three bed villa at this rural retreat, and rooms in the manor house are ideal for couples.
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Combine with
Casa Palmela makes a perfect stop on a road trip of Portugal, in between Lisbon and the Alentejo.
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Top tip
Ask the hotel to take you by boat to a deserted beach, accessible only by sea. Staff will set up loungers and parasols and provide a cool box with a picnic and cold drinks.
For those seeking an off-the-radar peaceful place to stay where genuine hospitality and regional, authentic food and wine shine through, you might find what you’re looking at Hotel Casa Palmela, a 400-year old property in the heart of rural Portugal, yet minutes from the beach.
Located in the middle of Arrábida National Park, Casa Palmela is surrounded by 170 acres of vineyards, Mediterranean scrub and olive trees. It’s beautifully rural and family-run Casa Palmela give a warm welcome to families and couples alike. Those travelling with children may prefer to take one of the villas, where there is a shared pool. There are also thoughtful, imaginative kids’ activities during the summer months, which focus on craft and wellbeing. Kids can plant trees, and the hotel will even send photos to update your family on its growth.
Classic Portugal
Elsewhere on the estate you can spend your days walking, riding or biking around the centuries-old pathways of the Quinta, stopping for picnics in the meadows. Oenophiles will be fascinated by this historic wine region and its famous Moscatel grape, and can enjoy a tour of a nearby vineyards, accompanied by a wine tasting and lunch of local cheese and hams. A great draw to this hotel is the sheltered white-sand beach, just 15 minutes’ walk through the National Park. Take a boat trip to explore the coastline’s pretty coves and perhaps even spot dolphins frolicking in the water.
Casa Palmela has a lovely restaurant and we’d recommend booking in for gourmet dining. Expect Portuguese classic such as braised octopus, cuttlefish risotto and local cheeses. Foodies should visit pretty harbour town Setubal for just-caught seafood in upmarket restaurants. This historic seaside town is a pleasant place for a wander, and if you’re a fan of Portuguese glazed tiles, visit the chapel at the Fort of Sao Filipe.
Whether you’re coming to Casa Palmela for a peaceful break or as part of a Portuguese road trip taking in Lisbon, Comporta, World Heritage Sites Évora or Sintra, and the Alentejo, you’ll find this hotel to be a scene of tranquil authenticity.
