Coliving in Portugal at Bela Vista Retreat
Despite its undeniable beauty, the Algarve hasn’t been somewhere that I’ve spent a lot of time in.
I’m not a fan of overcrowded resort towns, and after I returned from Albufeira, I suspected that perhaps the Algarve wasn’t geared towards people like me (Albufeira is a beautiful town, but not the kind of authentic Portugal that I’d been hoping for).
I figured that any hidden gems in the Algarve had long since been degraded by mass tourism, and didn’t make any plans to return.
Until, that is, I was contacted on Instagram by a woman called Sara, who told me about her rural coliving in the Algarve, and invited me to come and stay for a week.
I weighed my options.
I could stay in drizzly Manchester, working from my couch and surviving on instant coffee, or I could book a cheap flight to Faro and enjoy a sun-drenched winter in Portugal.
I’m no Einstein, but the choice seemed obvious.
At this point, I should point out that my stay at Bela Vista was complementary in exchange for some social media content and this review. However, I am not obliged to give Bela Vista a glowing review.
Of course, Sara would like me to, but she is not paying me to do so, and you can rest assured that my opinions are not ‘influenced’ by the fact that my stay was comped.
So, now that all that’s out of the way, here’s my review of Bela Vista Retreat, a coliving space in Portugal.
Coliving in Portugal at Bela Vista Coliving & Retreat
Tucked away in a rural spot of the Algarve, Bela Vista combines coliving, nature, and sustainability into a unique experience for digital nomads, slow travellers, and wellness enthusiasts alike.
After our flight landed in Faro at about midday, Ethan and I hopped straight into an Uber and headed to Bela Vista.
Within 20-minutes, we were pulling up the gravel path to Bela Vista and being greeted with a bottle of local wine and freshly-baked pastéis de nata by Sara.
As the sun warmed my skin for the first time in months, I knew that we’d made the right decision (as though it was ever in question).
The Accommodation
Bela Vista Coliving is a beautifully restored traditional house, and surrounded by 4 hectares of forest and lush greenery.
Ethan and I stayed in a large double room in the main house with a sea view, table suitable for use as a work desk, and a super comfortable bed with a firm mattress and fluffy white duvet.
We shared a spacious bathroom with one other guest, while the downstairs bathroom catered to the other two bedrooms in the house.
Downstairs is a large communal living room and dining area, as well as a kitchen and laundry room.
In addition to the four bedrooms in the main house, there are also two self-contained apartments just behind the main house, for guests who want a little more privacy.
What I loved the most about Bela Vista, however, was the gorgeous garden.
Taking centre stage is a large swimming pool, freshly tiled with blue and white tiles inspired by Portuguese calçada (traditional Portuguese pavements).
There’s a wooden shala where guests can practice yoga, tai chi, and meditation, ample seating areas (including sheltered areas for those who prefer a bit of shade), and a BBQ that is perfect for communal dinners on balmy summer evenings.
Also on the property is an old barn that has been converted into a gym and co-working area with its own WiFi (it goes without saying that every digital nomad accommodation needs a co-working area!).
During our stay at Bela Vista, the weather was mild enough that Ethan and I preferred to work outside, but I can definitely see myself opting for the co-working space during hotter days (or during busier periods).
The Community
Of course, the real reason why people opt for coliving spaces over other accommodation types is community.
Hostels, while fantastic for meeting people, are not always conducive to getting work done, and they tend to attract a much younger crowd.
Coliving spaces, on the other hand, offer more privacy without sacrificing the community element.
We visited the Algarve in February, and so the coliving was pretty quiet. However, we did end up meeting a German graphic designer called Angelika and an Irishman named John, who were both more than happy to keep us company in the evenings (with a glass of wine or two!).
In addition to our cosy evenings in, Sara also arranged a trip to a local winery for a tasting, a group lunch at an incredible seafood restaurant, and a visit to the picturesque village of Cacela Velha.
Bela Vista Retreat is home to two cats, Oscar and Kiki, as well as a friendly dog named Flora, who made sure we felt part of the family from day one.
The Location
If you want to discover some hidden gems in the Algarve, Bela Vista is ideal.
The closest beach is a 25 minute walk away, and it’s wonderfully rugged and wild.
Another option is to cycle through the Ria Formosa nature reserve to nearby Fuseta, a picturesque fishing village with some great cafes and restaurants.
A little further afield is Tavira (30 minutes by bus), with its picturesque river and dreamy old town, as well as Olhão, where you can enjoy sunset cocktails and soak up the authentic atmosphere.
For a change of pace, head to Faro, a lively tourist hub that is home to a beautiful cathedral and the eerie Capela dos Ossos (a chapel decorated with the bones of over 5000 corpses, similar to the ossuary in Brno, Czechia).
If you’re the active type (my exercise only stretches to lifting my wine glass), the ample hiking and cycling trails in the area are sure to keep you occupied, and if you’d prefer something a little more daring, you can even learn to surf or kitesurf.
Sustainable Coliving: A Commitment to the Future
Sustainable travel is important to me (and it should be to you, too!), and I loved Sara’s dedication to creating a sustainable coliving space.
Rainwater collection meets a significant portion of the garden’s needs, and the retreat is working towards running entirely on solar power in the near future.
Much of the furniture you see in Bela Vista is upcycled, with Sara’s mother, Margarida, lovingly restoring antique pieces back to their former glory.
The lush gardens also help to make this a sustainable coliving, providing lemons, oranges, olives, figs, pomegranates, guavas, and almonds, all of which guests are encouraged to take.
Is Bela Vista the Best Place in Portugal for Digital Nomads?
Bela Vista is not as ‘polished’ as some of the fancy coliving spaces in Lisbon, which have had millions of foreign dollars pumped into them.
If you’re looking for a big budget, established coliving space with all the bells and whistles, Bela Vista Coliving might not be what you’re looking for.
However, if you want to stay in a traditional home that has been in the same family for over 80 years, with all the facilities you need to work remotely, and some of the most beautiful nature in the Algarve, Bela Vista is the place for you.
Bela Vista Retreat isn’t just another digital nomad accommodation – it’s a place where work and relaxation blend seamlessly, where nature and sustainability are celebrated, and where strangers quickly become friends.
Whether you’re seeking a productive workation, an active outdoor escape, or a tranquil retreat in nature, Bela Vista delivers in every way. Ethan and I left feeling recharged, inspired, and already planning our return.
For more information and to book your stay at Bela Vista Retreat, you can visit their website.
That’s about all I’ve got for today, but as always, if you have any questions, let me know in the comments section and I will do my best to help!
Until next time,
XOXO
If you liked this article and would like to support my work, please click the button above to donate a couple of bucks and buy me a coffee. The ad revenue that I receive on this website is minimal, so support from my readers enables me to keep creating content that you (hopefully!) love to read.
