São Lourenço do Barrocal is a rural retreat, sensitive to the vastness of the land that welcomes it and the family legacy that gives rise to it, with an old Alentejo hill rejuvenated as an unpretentious luxury hotel, in the midst of vineyards, holm oaks and centuries-old olive trees in the landscape from Monsaraz, Portugal.
Inserted in a farm of 780 hectares with biological certification, owned by the same family for over 200 years, it is on the hill that has its functional and social heart, preserving the essence of its simplicity and the daily rhythms that have always marked its existence in the bosom of a productive agricultural property.
With 22 rooms, 2 suites and 16 houses, São Lourenço do Barrocal comprises a cellar for the creation of exclusive brand wines, two farm to table restaurants that focus on the ingredients and simplicity of Alentejo cuisine, a shop selling contemporary Portuguese crafts, regional delicacies and those from the estate itself and a spa by the Austrian brand of organic cosmetic products Susanne Kaufmann. It also has two outdoor swimming pools (adults and children), orchard, organic vegetable garden, stables with 8 boxes and a 420 m2 riding arena, as well as a wide range of activities.
Our experiences
Feel free, with the wind touching your face, while riding one of our horses and getting to know the estate in all its 780 hectares. Discover the ancient menhir, the Roman dam, the vineyards, the cereal fields and the storks’ nests. Cross paths with our cattle, which feed on grass-rich pastures, and watch the partridges darting through the trees and bushes. Take one of our guided tours and go up to the top of Monsaraz hill to watch the sunset over the large lake from the medieval castle.
- Herdade São Lourenço do Barrocal (1 to 2 hours)
Get to know some of the places of greatest natural and rural beauty in São Lourenço do Barrocal, riding on horseback along its trails, passing through its ancestral olive groves and unique barrows. - Barrows and large Alqueva Lake (3 hours)
Stroll through the landscape of the barrows of São Lourenço do Barrocal, passing by the menhir, vineyards and olive trees on the estate and going up to the village of Monsaraz to observe the view over Lake Alqueva. - Under the Full Moon in Summer (1 hour)
Here, where the stars shine brightest in the night sky, the moon also likes to appear full. Enjoy the warm summer nights, flooded by the light of this lunar phase, in a way like no other: ride your horse through the estate, with the night and the stars as your companions.
Have a little adventure and enjoy an hour’s carriage ride through our estate. Suitable for the rural landscape, this transport will take you and the children to some of the most beautiful places in São Lourenço do Barrocal, spotting birds, hares and cows grazing the fields. If you prefer, you can add a picnic in the countryside or a wine tasting to your tour. This will be one of the best ways to feel the essence of São Lourenço do Barrocal. Climb aboard our carriage and relax on this tour of the property and all its most important points: the ancient olive trees, the Neolithic menhir, our vineyards, Alqueva and much more. In the end, add to all this a picnic or a tasting of our wines in the heart of the Alentejo nature.
At your disposal we have Purebred Lusitano horses, the oldest saddle horses in the world. Suitable for galloping by experienced riders, they are also extremely gentle and ideal for vaulting lessons. Opt for initiation classes to the equestrian art with a vaulting guide, to learn, with the help of an accredited riding instructor, to follow the horse’s movements and to ride with relaxation, balance and safety, distinguishing step, trot and gallop. A package of 10 lessons, valid for a period of 6 months, is also available, which can be ideal for longer stays. If you prefer, you can also bring your horse and leave it in our stables, in the good hands of our team. For children, we have prepared a set of learning levels that will lead them from their first contact with the animal, to discovering relaxation, posture and balance exercises, cleaning techniques, anatomy and feeding.
For the little ones, São Lourenço do Barrocal offers a ride in a traditional donkey cart. Children will thus be able to come into close contact with one of the most beloved animals on the estate – Jerónimo, leave the ring towards the green meadow and say goodbye to their parents and other children while they stroll through the nearest barrows, the vegetable garden and the beehive, always safely and in the company of an instructor.
Horse rides
Cancellation policy: 4 hours before the activity.
- Herdade São Lourenço do Barrocal (1 to 2 hours)
Get to know some of the places of greatest natural and rural beauty in São Lourenço do Barrocal, riding on horseback along its trails, passing through its ancestral olive groves and unique barrows. - Barrows and large Alqueva Lake (3 hours)
Stroll through the landscape of the barrows of São Lourenço do Barrocal, passing by the menhir, vineyards and olive trees on the estate and going up to the village of Monsaraz to observe the view over Lake Alqueva. - Under the Full Moon in Summer (1 hour)
Here, where the stars shine brightest in the night sky, the moon also likes to appear full. Enjoy the warm summer nights, flooded by the light of this lunar phase, in a way like no other: ride your horse through the estate, with the night and the stars as your companions.
Carriage Rides
Price per tour
(for a maximum of 3 people): €115.00
Price per tour
(duration 1 hour)
with picnic for two: €170.00
Cancellation policy:
4 hours before the activity.
price per tour
(duration 1 hour)
with tasting of 5 wines
for two people: €250.00
Cancellation policy:
24 hours before the activity.
Vaulting Lessons
Price per person: €30.00 (15 min)
Price per person: €45.00 (30 min)
Pack of 10 lessons (45 min each): €495.00
Horse housing and care
(per month): €750.00
Horse housing and care
+ training (per month): €1100.00
Cancellation policy:
4 hours before the activity.
Donkey Cart Ride for kids
Price per tour: €30.00 (15 min)
Price per tour: €50.00 (30 min)
All our equestrian activities are available all year round, as long as the weather allows its realization.
Specific conditions, such as minimum age, number of participants or other possible constraints, must
be questioned with our reservations team.
Prices are subject to updates.
All activities must be booked in advance and are subject to hotel availability.