Nature house in Casal dos Feros

Sustainable, eco-friendly stays on Lugar do Sol, a peaceful rural spot just under two kilometres from Santa Cruz beach.Stays here are in a natural retreat that provides a peaceful haven on a small farm well away from the noise of the resort. The place is set up according to ecological, sustainable and self-sufficient practices – water comes from a well, energy is generated through solar panels and food is harvested from the organic garden.Guests are welcome to help themselves to a little bit of whatever’s available in the garden and take it over to the covered outdoor kitchen. There are plenty of shops, cafés and restaurants for other ingredients, or times when you’d prefer to eat out.Compost toilets, solar-heated showers, a washing-up area and recycling facilities are also available for guests – and, for a little downtime on site, there’s also a plunge pool, a small play area and hammocks hung among the trees for a lovely shaded siesta.

The nearest is Praia de Santa Cruz, about a 10-minute bike ride/25-minute walk from the site. The long sandy stretch is great for strolls, sunbathing and surfing, but the waves might be a bit too much for many swimmers. If it’s calmer waters you're after, head a little way north to Praia de Porto Novo (10 minutes’ drive/20 minutes’ cycle), which is a more sheltered spot for swims, paddleboarding and canoeing. If, on the other hand, you’re more in search of an adrenaline hit, you can have a go at paragliding over the cliffs at Praia de Santa Rita (10 minutes’ drive/20 minutes’ cycle) or try flying a plane from Aérodromo de Santa Cruz (five minutes’ drive or cycle ride). To expand your horizons a little further, it’s certainly possible to sort day trips to places like Sintra and Lisbon (both an hour's drive away), visit the castle and churches of medieval Óbidos (45 minutes) or take tours of the area’s wineries (several within a half-hour drive).