A lovely old Quinta hidden away near Azoia. We stumbled across it on our honeymoon (which we had to change due to the ashcloud) and loved it. They gave us the suite in the old library, which was fantastic.

The owners were lovely and full of advice for the continuation of our trip and for things to do in the area.

I thoroughly recommend this place

We stayed in the Quinta for six days in early April and cannot recommend it highly enough. Gabriela and Fernando have created a wonderful farm and home for themselves and their guests, and it was a delight to enjoy their hospitality at the Quinta.
The location of the Quinta is excellent, just off a fairly decent road that runs from Sintra to Cascais, but in the middle of countryside with beautiful views. The track down to the Quinta itself is fine to drive - have to do some reversing if you meet another car but we never did and in fact I enjoyed several very pleasant walks along the track. There's a really good bar / restaurant within about five minutes walk from the Quinta. The bar is suprisingingly cool and I'd imagine fairly lively at night (unfortunately didn't get to see it). There are other good restaurants just a little further away that wouldn't require a car.
We stayed in the guesthouse (Limao and Lima) and found the accomodation perfect. The furnishings were very comfortable and attractive and while the days were warm we really appreciated the log fire in the evenings (which was lit for us while we were out on our first night so we'd have a cosy home to return to after the evening meal). The cooking facilities were fine, good fridge & preparation area with all necessary utensils. We didn't use the hob but I think it may have been a 2 or 3 ring rather than full size. The upstairs terrace has a good table & six chairs for outdoor eating. It's also ideal for yoga / pilates (possibly the best view I've had while practising).
The swimming pool is beautifully sited and very relaxing. We had it to ourselves for the six days and swam a bit, although given that it was early April it was a slightly chilly experience - would imagine it's heaven from May onwards. Re. TV I didn't locate anything English language and child-friendly on the satellite so if you've got children perhaps bring a portable dvd player for evenings, but it should be added that board games were available which kept our 10 year old amused.
The beds were really comfortable and housekeeping each day was faultless. It was lovely to lie in bed each morning and just look out at the green view. And overall the accommodation was very private, with the upstairs terrace completely so – we were on our own at the Quinta for most of the week but I think other guests staying wouldn't have impinged on us in any way.
Breakfast was possibly the best we've had anywhere and included honey and fruit produced on the farm - excellent strawberries and Portuguese bananas in particular!
The Quinta is a really lovely place and perfect for any holiday. But the absolutely best thing about it are the hosts, Gabriela and Fernando. We had a car-related problem at the start of the week and they went far out of their way to help us. And throughout our stay they provided very many small kindnesses - a walking stick when needed, a yoga mat when mentioned in passing and much more. We were always very glad to see them and through their friendliness and advice they enhanced our holiday greatly. They really are the essence of hospitality and personally provide a tremendous example of how to live after “retirement”. Very many thanks to them for facilitating such a pleasant holiday.

This was our second visit to Quinta do Rio Touro, and I hope there will be a third before too long. Like last year, we stayed in a suite with our two small children, and it was difficult to find any faults at all.
Total peace, beautiful house and perfect garden for kids, and delightful service. You could travel many miles and spend a lot of euros before you find anything else quite so right!
The location is also ideal with beaches (less than 10 min drive), walks and picnics in the forest, and visits to Sintra and Cascais (and even a day out by train to the superb aquarium on the site of Lisbon's Expo).

Breathing the serra and feeling the waving ocean. .. this place has the signs of my inner Portugal, not the material one, but the portugal of the “imaginal“ (Corbin), which is very real for me. If you are looking for that kind of roots of this land you will get some answers walking to places like Sintra or the Quinta of Regaleira. Just hear at the voice of the trembling sea and the sound of the wind telling the truth about the lost stone of the “port du gral“. Jeremias saw in his predictions, the land of the messias, the world in Pessoa `s “messages“.
The service and the rooms were very good. I will come back seeking for the images of my land and my people. The real one behind this illusionary Portugal you can see with your outer eyes.

Raulfreire

Raulfreire