Penela, Beira Litoral, Portugal

Live in a house of flowers in a sensitive area of protected beauty.

3 individual properties and creative/social/business spaces, providing immediate income opportunities.
Includes a separate, newly renovated apartment, fully furnished and set up for rental use, ready to welcome guests. Two workspaces are also ready for use and can accommodate a variety of activities .Previously, the smaller space was used as a clinic/therapy room, and the larger space was a shop/school.

Extensive mature gardens with over 200 varieties of medicinal plants.
Developed by the owner, a herbalist and permaculturist, these established plants are ready to bloom this spring. The gardens are low-maintenance, primarily hardy, requiring minimal watering.

Located within the Sicó Protected Landscape Classification Project in the district of Coimbra.
This property benefits from conservation measures designed to reduce environmental impact, preserve rare natural resources, and enhance quality of life for its inhabitants.

Included in the sale:
Some main furniture pieces, appliances, and a storage room with tools, equipment, and building materials.

The Property

Total size: 1,188m2

Three separate homes:

Two apartments: one serving as the main residence and the other as rental accommodation.
A separate two-storey house next door, ready for renovation.
Two work/business spaces:
A therapy/office/storage room.
A converted garage with bi-fold doors and a large pergola providing an outdoor seating/dining area with views.

Seven outdoor spaces:
Terrace, decking, pergola, medicinal herb garden, vegetable garden and polytunnel (with chicken buildings), back garden, and a separate walled garden.

Additional storage areas:
Includes an undercover utility/parking/wood shed area, large storage rooms, a converted loft, built-in cupboards, and a storage room accessed via a hatch and staircase.

Energy-efficient features:
Recently renovated with an energy rating of C. Traditional thick stone walls provide excellent temperature regulation, with added insulation in the roof and walls. A new roof was installed in 2023. Heating includes a high-efficiency log burner with an oven (using just 3m³ of firewood annually) and a fireplace in the downstairs apartment. The plumbing system features a professional water filter, providing filtered water throughout the property.

Off-grid potential:
Options include connecting an existing water tank to the guttering or utilising a nearby public well. Borehole installation is also low-cost due to abundant surface water availability.

Position:
Elevated on a mountainside with diverse, beautiful views of the village and valley. Locally known for its spectacular vantage points.

Gardens and landscaping:
Separate areas include a vegetable garden with a polytunnel, a medicinal herb garden, and family garden spaces. A map listing 170+ perennial medicinal plants will be provided to the buyer.

Relevant Distances
Located in the Penela countryside, offering both tranquillity and access to modern conveniences:

Lisbon: <2-hour drive
Porto: <1.5-hour drive
Coimbra: 20-minute drive
Espinhal village: 3.5km
Coast: <1 hour

Walkthrough

Approaching the house along 'Beco da Bela Vista' ('Lane with the Beautiful View'), you are welcomed by stunning views and a variety of plants.

The walled and gated property is highly elevated, with gardens surrounding it, extending down towards the main road. The property comprises three separate homes: two apartments (the upstairs serving as the main residence and the downstairs as a guest apartment) and a traditional two-storey house, ready for renovation.

The workspaces and pergola area are situated in front of the house. Below this are the polytunnel and gardens, including the medicinal herb garden, accessible from the main road.

Key viewpoints include:

The terrace/kitchen (east-facing).
The decking (north-side, east-facing).
The pergola (east-facing).
All offer spectacular views of the valley.

Main living space (upstairs apartment):
The newly renovated kitchen includes a fridge-freezer, under-counter freezer, dishwasher, oven/hob, and bar seating, with breathtaking views. The hallway leads to a dining/living area with a log burner, dining table, sofa, and access to the back garden.

The apartment features a modern bathroom, two small bedrooms (with storage), and a master bedroom with built-in wardrobes and a converted loft. The master bedroom, with high ceilings and beams, has been fully insulated and includes a king-size bed and handmade furniture.

The back garden, accessible via the living room or hallway, serves as a family space with a trampoline, sandpit, and swings. From the garden, you can access the undercover decking area with a traditional pizza oven and more stunning views.

Outdoor spaces:
The property includes terraced vegetable gardens with stone pathways, a composting area, small storage rooms, and a medicinal herb garden with ancient olive trees, gravelled pathways, and a central seating area.

Information about the Sicó Project
The Sicó mountains are a limestone-rich region identified for their ecological, scientific, and scenic value. Conservation measures include:

Protection of local flora and fauna.
Promotion of sustainable tourism and rural business opportunities.
Support for soil regeneration and the clearing of waterways.
Preservation of historical trails, villages, and rural centres.
Establishment of a thermal spring destination.
Ongoing efforts to promote harmonious interaction between humans and nature.
This property benefits directly from these initiatives, ensuring long-term environmental and quality-of-life enhancements.