Sustainable Eco Retreat Center

Coimbra
Sustainable Eco Retreat Center
Where you will sleep Sustainable Eco Retreat Center
4 Updated 2 days ago
We are three people living on a Quinta in nature, creating a small retreat space where people come to reconnect — with themselves, with others, and with the land. At the moment we are in the preparation phase for the season that starts in May, so the main focus is practical, hands-on work outdoors. Most of the help we need is with gardening and getting the land into shape. This includes sowing and planting, harvesting, watering, composting, clearing and cleaning areas, cutting branches, mowing paths, and generally bringing structure and care to spaces that are still quite wild. There are also ongoing maintenance and small building projects — simple things like sanding, painting, repairing, setting up structures, or helping to make places more beautiful and functional. Sometimes the work is steady and repetitive, sometimes creative and project-based. Because the property is large and still developing, we are looking for people who can see what needs to be done and work independently, not only wait for instructions. Experience with gardening, permaculture, handcraft, natural building, or tools is very welcome, but more important is a grounded attitude and a willingness to be part of the process. The exchange is 5 hours per day, 5 days per week, leaving you plenty of time for yourself. You will stay in one of our glamping domes, which are comfortable, quiet, and surrounded by nature. Food is shared — we cook and eat together, and we are flexible with diets and preferences. Daily life here is simple and follows the rhythm of the land. Outside of retreat days it is calm and spacious, with a lot of room for your own practice, rest, or creative projects. We value meaningful conversations, shared meals, and moments of working together in a focused way. Even though only the three of us live on the land, there is a strong and supportive community in the area. Many international people and families live nearby, often off-grid or in alternative ways, and there are regular informal gatherings, skill-sharing, small events, and visits between neighbors. The surrounding villages also host local markets and celebrations from time to time. So there is both the possibility to go inward and be in silence, and to connect and feel part of something wider. This experience is best for people who: - enjoy physical work and being outdoors - are self-motivated and practical - appreciate simple living and shared responsibility - feel comfortable in a quiet, nature-based environment If the energy matches, we are open to longer stays, as continuity is very valuable for us while the place is growing.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Forestry
Wild foraging
Flower farming
Meat processing
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Green Building
Renewable energy production
Methods or systems
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
3 Hectares | 7.4 Acres
Accommodation
2 WWOOFers
Bedroom
Campsite
Yurt / Tipi
Cabin / Mobile-home
Children accepted
Pets accepted
Meals
Omnivore
Vegetarian
Vegan
Length of stay
1-2 weeks
3-4 weeks
Over a month
Tae-Ho
Tae-Ho
Member since 2025
Languages spoken: English, German, Polish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100% Response time: typically within 2 days
Coimbra
Porto, Lisbon, Coimbra, Moita da Serra, Cepos
Feedback
Emma
Emma
Belgium • July 2026
We had a great experience at Libelula! We enjoyed helping out with the many tasks around the farm, such as painting the temple, tidying the garden, and watering the various plants. The work can be a bit physical at times, but it's a great way to stay active. Tae-Ho and Kuba are both very chill and flexible about the working hours. The goal is simply to get things done without any pressure, which actually made us want to help even more. The dorms are very comfortable, Even though there are a lot of spiders and the cats are adorable! We could cook for ourselves, but we also had the chance to enjoy Kuba's delicious sushi, vegetables curry, and pizzas. He's an amazing cook, along with having many other impressive talents! We also had the chance to meet his smart son, Casimir, and since we could speak Dutch with him, that was really nice. Some of our favourite moments were going to the river with Kuba, Casimir, and his friend, playing on the floating mattresses in the water, going to the beach with Tae-Ho and when Emma beat Teo at Monopoly! Even though Tae-Ho sometimes complimented our looks more often than we were comfortable with, he is a very interesting person who enjoys talking and sharing knowledge about all kinds of topics, from science to spirituality. He even taught us a form of yoga based on prana. Even after just one week, we felt comfortableenough to really open up, and the peacefulatmosphere of this place made us feelcompletely at ease.
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Rivka
Rivka
Czechia • June 2026
The few weeks I spent at Quinta da Libélula were such a valuable and nourishing experience. Enni and Kuba are beautiful people who made me feel so welcome from the very first day. The work was varied, mainly involving land clearing and tending to the outdoor areas to prepare them for the upcoming season. I gained a lot of new knowledge in this regard, for which I’m very grateful. The place itself has such a healing atmosphere. The days were filled with quiet moments and plenty of time for personal projects and needs, as well as moments of connection, shared meals, yoga, and much more. I can highly recommend this place to anyone wanting to spend time in a supportive environment while doing something meaningful. Thank you for everything—I carry those moments in my heart! 💗
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Helena
Helena
Netherlands • April 2026
I had a great experience at Quinta La Libélula. The place is really special, peaceful and surrounded by nature. The domes are lovely, the food was always delicious and the hosts are very kind and made me feel at home from the beginning. Each day brought something different, from preparing garden beds and planting to helping get everything ready for the new retreat season. Varied and enjoyable :). There was also plenty of space for connection and shared moments, which made the experience really special! I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a unique and meaningful volunteer experience in nature!
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Enni
Enni
Germany • March 2026
Had an amazing stay at Quinta da Libélula! The food was delicious, the Quinta itself is beautiful, and staying in the Dome was such a unique experience. Loved being part of the community – from yoga and cooking together to the shared market stalls, everything felt so welcoming. Truly grateful for this time!