Permaculture project in the north of Portugal
Porto
Olá and hello!
We, Johannes and Claudia, warmly welcome you to Valdonedo, a unique place in the green north of Portugal. Here, we are building a sustainable project focused on self-sufficiency, permaculture, and living with nature since 2023. Our wish is to create a place by people - for people. A place full of life, exchange, learning, and joy.
Valdonedo is not only a place for rural living and farming – it is also developing into a space for events. In the future, we would like to give external organizers the opportunity to hold seminars, workshops, small-scale arts, and cultural activities that bring new energy and inspiration to the countryside.
There are three other people living here as well, whom you get to know during your stay. They support us alongside their own individual business.
**What We Do (and Why)**
We’re simply doing what makes sense to us – a way of living that feels more connected, honest, and meaningful than the city lives we left behind.
At the moment, we’re in the process of building up the foundations: working the land, developing our gardens, and setting things up so we can live as self-sufficiently as possible.
In the future, we hope to open the doors of our seminar house for workshops, talks, seminars and gatherings. That vision will take some time – but step by step.
Until then, we're here, creating and living the change we want to see – and we hope to inspire others along the way.
**Our Place**
Our quinta is a peaceful 2.3-hectare property with sweeping views over a beautiful valley.
It includes:
- a large, charming mansion under renovation – the future space for workshops and retreats
- a second building gives space for living
- an improvised service building with two compost toilets, a hot shower, and a shared outdoor kitchen
- the official outdoor kitchen is currently being renovated and still needs some time
- a vegetable garden, mandala beds, and over 130 fruit and nut trees
- a food forest
- a flat parking area for vans and caravans
- a camping site
- washing machines and dryer
- plenty of nature, silence, and starlit nights
As accommodation, there is the option to camp, and depending on availability, we also offer a caravan and a small holiday apartment.
**Who We’re Looking For**
We welcome open-hearted, hands-on people who are inspired by sustainable living, farming and growth. Whether you're skilled in gardening, building, woodwork, permaculture, or simply curious to learn and contribute – you're welcome.
**Ideal are people who**
Have a practical mindset and love working outdoors
Are self-responsible, respectful, and flexible
Enjoy sharing lunch together
Are happy to be part of a still-evolving place
Languages:
We speak German as our mother tongue and English.
We learn portuguese.
**On a regular day** we meet at 7:30h for breakfast. Then we work from 8:00h until Lunch which is around 12:30h. The food is always prepared by small, rotating teams from 11:30 onwards. We try to live vegan. On special occasions, we often revert to vegetarianism. After Lunch we are having a break, because especially in summer, the sun doesn't allow you to work after lunch anymore. After we finish our break we continue to work on the farm from 5 until dinner at around 7:30. On Saturday is our relaxed day and on Sundays we are having our regular meeting where we discussing the shedule for the next week and other things that need to be discussed. On wednesdays we are doing a big weekly grocery shopping in Marco de Canaveses.
**Our meals** are all vegetarian (at the moment mostly vegan). The breakfast consists usually of porige, our lunch is a warm meal and for dinner we are usually having the leftovers from lunch, bread and a salad.
**Explore the Area Around Valdonedo**
Valdonedo is not only a place of peaceful nature and creative work – it’s also wonderfully connected to the vibrant cultural and natural surroundings of northern Portugal.
There are some charming cafés just around the corner from our quinta – perfect for a sunny break with a Pastel de Nata, Portugal’s famous custard tart, or a glass of local Douro wine while soaking in the views of the stunning landscape.
We’re located near Marco de Canaveses, a small town where we regularly go shopping and are happy to take you along when we head into town. There, you can enjoy a relaxed afternoon: sip a coffee in a cozy café, try some delicious local food, or explore small shops for anything you might need.
From Marco you can catch a train straight into the heart of Porto – a buzzing city full of culture, history, markets, traditional boats, churches, and excellent food. The Atlantic coast with its wide sandy beaches is also not far if you’re up for a seaside day trip.
If you’re curious to connect also with others farms, there are several neighboring projects and farms run by like-minded people. Some offer:
- Portuguese language classes
- Documentary film evenings
- Open workshops, skill-sharing, and social gatherings
**For nature lovers** the surrounding region offers some possibilities:
- Hidden waterfalls and secluded river beaches along the Douro and Tâmega rivers
- Winding hiking trails through green hills and valleys
- The world-renowned Douro Valley wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its dramatic terraced vineyards and full-bodied red wines
Whether you're looking for inspiration, adventure, or simply a good coffee with a view – the area around Valdonedo has something to offer for everyone.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Methods or systems
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
2.3
Hectares
|
5.7
Acres
Johannes
Member since 2024
Languages spoken:
English, German
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 81%
Response time: typically within 4 days
Porto
Marco de Canaveses Train Station / Airport Francisco Sá Carneiro in Porto (OPO)
Reviews
Emma
France
•
August 2025
We stayed almost 3 weeks in Valdonedo with Johannes, Claudia and the others members that contribute to this project. How to say it was 3 wonderful weeks by their sides, and shared with 3 other great woofers. We were warm welcomed by everyone, and we worked along these weeks in a good mood, laughing, sharing one an other experiences and learning a lot. We played music, danced and talked a lot.
It was for us our first woofing experience and we could never have imagined a better one than this one. This place is quiet and peaceful but also a lively place where everyone feel included. Thanks to everyone for everything we learned and lived by your sides during this summer :))
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Emma
Germany
•
April 2025
I spent two wonderful weeks at this magical place and felt completely at home. We worked together in the garden, cooked fresh meals, laughed a lot, and shared warm, thoughtful conversations. The people here are open-hearted, courageous, and full of curiosity—they made it so easy to feel welcome.
The work was varied and meaningful, with space for everyone to bring their strengths. Everything was well organized, and in return, I got to stay in one of the most beautiful and peaceful places I’ve ever been.
Valdonedo is full of life and love—surrounded by fruit trees, herbs, flowers, and wide open fields. You can truly feel the care and passion in every part of it. I’m so inspired by what’s being created here and can’t wait to come back.
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Leonie
Germany
•
November 2024
Valdonedo ist eine Farm, die sich noch im Aufbau befindet. Man kann sicher aber jetzt schon sehr gut vorstellen wie wundervoll dieser Ort einmal sein wird und welch großes Potenzial darin steckt. Die Menschen dort haben mich sehr freundlich empfangen und ich durfte mich von Anfang an als Teil der Gemeinschaft fühlen. Valdonedo ist ein Ort an dem man nicht nur körperlich, sondern auch emotional über sich hinauswachsen kann, wenn man es möchte. Ich bin sehr dankbar für meine Zeit dort, die Erfahrungen, die ich machen durfte und dass ich diese wunderbaren Menschen kennen lernen durfte. Ich werde auf jeden Fall wieder kommen und kann es von Herzen empfehlen diesen Ort zu besuchen!
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Clara
France
•
August 2024
We stayed at Valdonedo for two weeks and we could not expect a better journey than we had ! Everyone was so welcoming and friendly, there are so many stuff to do everywhere that you can find absolutely what you like to do ! We were sharing all the meals together and making food was a very funny and good time ! Johana, Alia, Johannes, Franck, Petra, Filli and Darius are amazing people (and Claudia for sure but we didn't have the chance to meet her), they will take time to explain and showing you everything. We felt at home directly, with the feeling of being part of a big family ! Thank you again for everything and we really love to see you again !!!
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