Azenha de São Mamede - Tranquility in the Serra de São Mamede Natural Park

Lovely converted watermill, with a working history. Complete privacy in a nature park but still fairly close to Portalegre for services. Nice terraces, a mini swimming pool for cooling down and a refreshing stream. The owners are very welcoming.

Jose and Clara were consummate hosts for whom nothing was too much trouble. The azenha was a home from home, comfortable and with everything one could need. The setting is idyllic, surrounded by trees and with streams flowing past the mill, on the smaller of which Jose has constructed an island of cemented stones, reached by a small wooden bridge. Watching the dragonflies and damselflies hawking up and down the stream was a delight, as were the clouds of white butterflies, including the handsome Iberian Marbled White. There are numerous tracks through the forests, some of which are signposted hiking trails. There are very large supermarkets in Portalegre, but we tended to use Pingo Doce in Castelo de Vide, which is our favourite Portuguese town! The mill (azenha) has been beautifully renovated and has all mod. cons. The bed is comfortable and there is a more than adequate supply of towels and high quality bed linen. If you love nature, it is paradise. On the first morning, at about 09:00, I stepped out onto the patio outside the front door and a pine marten trotted along the length of the dwarf wall which encloses the patio. We stayed for four weeks and were reluctant to leave, but I have my 1,500 photographs! Thank you Clara and Jose.

This place was incredible from every perspective. First of all Jose and his wife were generous, kind and thoughtful from booking right to meeting us (late at night) at the house and showing us around. The wine, beer and cookies were a lovely extra touch. The house was perfection. Cozy, comfortable, modern renovation but maintained all of its old charm. Beds we're comfortable, and a clothes rack provided for each of us. We felt like we were waking up in paradise every morning.