{"id":36292,"date":"2026-04-07T15:39:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T13:39:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/niet-gecategoriseerd\/wheat\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T09:38:56","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T07:38:56","slug":"wheat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/nature-stay\/wheat\/","title":{"rendered":"Wheat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Gandum Village: a sustainable boutique hotel in the heart of the Alentejo<\/h1>\n\n

An hour\u2019s drive from Lisbon. Fourteen hectares of Alentejo countryside. Eighteen hundred years of human history in the soil. And a hotel that doesn\u2019t try to appear greener than it is, but was simply built that way. <\/p>\n\n

Gandum Village, near Montemor-o-Novo, is no ordinary country inn. It is a thoughtfully designed place where architecture, sustainability, and good food come together\u2014without feeling like a manifesto. You\u2019ll sleep between adobe walls that stay naturally cool, dine in a restaurant that sources ingredients from its own agroforestry garden, and sit outside in the evening as the Alentejo slowly grows dark. That\u2019s it. It doesn\u2019t need to be anything more. <\/p>\n\n

Montemor-o-Novo: The Alentejo at Its Best<\/h2>\n\n

Montemor-o-Novo<\/a> isn\u2019t on everyone\u2019s bucket list. And that\u2019s exactly why you should go there. No mass tourism, no cookie-cutter tourist route. Instead, a lively city center, a castle on the hill that you can see from kilometers away, and surrounding countryside that still feels authentic: green in the winter, dry and fragrant in the summer. <\/p>\n\n

From Gandum Village, you\u2019re three kilometers from the city center, with a view of that same castle. Plus, you\u2019re in the Monfurado protected area\u2014one of the few places in the Alentejo where the cork oaks still grow densely and biodiversity is high. What\u2019s more: \u00c9vora is just half an hour away, and Comporta (with its wild beaches on the Atlantic coast) is an hour away. It\u2019s secretly the perfect base for exploring the region. <\/p>\n\n

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Gandum is an hour away from Lisbon. But as soon as you arrive, the city feels miles away. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

<\/div>\n\n

The hotel: adobe walls and authentic design<\/h2>\n\n

Gandum was built using rammed earth (taipa). An ancient technique that has been used in the Alentejo<\/a> for centuries. Not out of nostalgia, but as a deliberate choice: the thick adobe walls create thermal mass, which means the rooms stay cool in the summer without aggressive air conditioning and retain heat in the winter. The architecture works with the climate, rather than against it. <\/p>\n\n

Earth Rooms<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

The hotel consists of two buildings. The Claustro building houses the 18 Earth Rooms: spacious rooms measuring about 35 m\u00b2, featuring organic materials, a private terrace overlooking the Alentejo countryside, and a private bathroom. The adobe walls regulate temperature and humidity in a way you only notice when you wake up: feeling well-rested, without immediately understanding why. <\/p>\n\n

Casas do Monte<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

The Monte building houses three apartments (sleeping up to 6 people); ideal for families or small groups, each with a kitchenette and a balcony. All rooms are simply yet thoughtfully furnished: Scandinavian furniture alongside Portuguese handicrafts and organic mattresses. <\/p>\n\n

Provenance Restaurant: Cooking Inspired by the Local Area<\/h2>\n\n

The restaurant is no afterthought. Chef Miguel Ara\u00fajo cooks with whatever the season and the restaurant\u2019s own agroforestry garden have to offer: vegetables, legumes, herbs, and grains take center stage. Meat and fish are served when appropriate, not as standard fare. The menu changes with the seasons, allowing guests to discover something new every time. <\/p>\n\n

The reviews are unanimous: the food is exceptional. Guests describe it as \u201cfarm-to-table,\u201d \u201cabsolutely top-notch,\u201d and \u201cthe reason to come back.\u201d The breakfast spread (fresh bread, local cheese, seasonal fruit, good coffee) sets the tone for the rest of the day. <\/p>\n\n

Sustainability You Can Touch<\/h2>\n\n

Gandum was founded by Jo\u00e3o Almeida and Martina Wiedemar. Both have backgrounds in sustainable development and climatology. They\u2019ve put theory into practice, and it shows. Gandum runs entirely on solar power (170 solar panels), uses rainwater for irrigation, composts all organic waste, and has established three agroforestry systems with more than 50,000 native trees. <\/p>\n\n

So sustainability isn’t just a marketing pitch, but a structural choice. What that means in practice: <\/p>\n\n

    \n
  • Built with taipa (rammed earth): requires less energy for heating and cooling<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Powered entirely by solar energy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • On-site food production through three agroforestry garden systems<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Regenerative agriculture: soil restoration, water management, no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Rainwater and graywater systems for irrigation<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sheep and chickens as part of the daily routine on the farm<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Employees from the local community of Montemor-o-Novo<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

    Gandum is located within the Monfurado protected area. Storks, birds of prey, amphibians, and small mammals live on and around the property. Not because it was planned that way, but because the land is managed in a way that makes it a place they enjoy living in. <\/p>\n\n

    Activities: No set program, but plenty of options<\/h2>\n\n

    Gandum isn\u2019t an activity resort. But if you want, there\u2019s plenty to do. The grounds feature four swimming pools (including children\u2019s pools), bike rentals, a coworking space, and hiking trails through the agroforestry garden and along the Gandum Creek. Yoga classes are available. Near the hotel: hiking and biking through the Monfurado Reserve, a day trip to \u00c9vora (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, half an hour away), or the wild beaches of Comporta. <\/p>\n\n

    Montemor-o-Novo itself is worth exploring: a lively town center with castle ruins, local taverns, and a wine tradition you won’t find in the tourist guides.<\/p>\n\n

    Practical Information<\/h2>\n\n
      \n
    • Address: Fazenda do Gandum, Rua de S\u00e3o Domingos (EM 537), 7050-352 Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Rooms: 18 Earth Rooms and 3 family homes (Monte), max. 6 people per home<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Restaurant: Provenance. Seasonal, local ingredients; vegetarian & vegan options <\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Breakfast: Included (fresh bread, local cheese, seasonal fruit, coffee)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Swimming pools: 4 outdoor pools (including 2 children’s pools)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Pets: Welcome (upon request; additional fee may apply)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Parking: Free on-site<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Accessibility: 1-hour drive from Lisbon; 30 min. from \u00c9vora; 1 hour from Comporta (beach)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

      Frequently Asked Questions About Gandum Village<\/h2>\n\n

      Is Gandum Village truly sustainable?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

      It’s true. The hotel is built with taipa (rammed earth), is powered by 260 solar panels, has three agroforestry systems, and produces some of its own food. Founders Jo\u00e3o and Martina have backgrounds in sustainable development and climatology. <\/p>\n\n

      How far is Gandum Village from Lisbon?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

      Gandum is about 104 kilometers from downtown Lisbon. Outside of rush hour, you can get there in just over an hour. If you head out around 7:00 p.m. on Friday, you\u2019ll avoid the crowds and be out on the terrace by 10:00 p.m. <\/p>\n\n

      Is Gandum suitable for families?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

      Yes. The three Casas do Monte are specifically designed for families or groups (up to 6 people), with a kitchenette and separate living areas. There are two children\u2019s pools, and pets are welcome. The grounds offer plenty of space for walking, biking, and playing. <\/p>\n\n

      Do you need to make a reservation for the restaurant?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

      The Provenance restaurant is open to hotel guests and outside visitors. Due to its small size and popularity, reservations are recommended, especially during peak season. <\/p>\n\n

      When is the best time to visit Gandum?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n

      The Alentejo is beautiful all year round, but spring (March\u2013May) and early fall (September\u2013October) are ideal: pleasantly warm, less crowded, and nature at its best. In winter, the landscape is surprisingly green. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        \n
      • Sustainable Boutique Hotel in Alentejo <\/li>\n
      • An hour from Lisbon <\/li>\n
      • An excellent restaurant serving local cuisine <\/li>\n
      • 18 Earth Rooms and 3 apartments <\/li>\n
      • 4 swimming pools <\/li>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":36294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[225,194,189,190],"tags":[229,233,234,235,236,246,226,227,228,206,207,208,209,202,204],"class_list":["post-36292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nature-stay","category-accommodation","category-portugal","category-alentejo","tag-sustainability-certification","tag-organic-cuisine","tag-architecture","tag-electric-charging-station","tag-charging-station","tag-boutique-hotel","tag-surroundings","tag-vacation-rental","tag-bicycle-rental","tag-swimming-pool","tag-walking-tours","tag-vegetarian-vegan-cuisine","tag-bnb","tag-wellbeing-en","tag-yoga-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=36292"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36292\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/36294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=36292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=36292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/naturetravellab.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=36292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}