My stay at Casas do Juízo, near Pinhel, Portugal, happened at the end of last year, at the time of an ABVP – Portuguese Travel Bloggers Association get together. Still, I was saving the introductions for this summer. It’s like I was guessing it since the pandemic caused by COVID-19 makes this a perfect place to maintain social distance.
Casas do Juízo are located in a village of the same name — Aldeia do Juízo —, a small town that was on the verge of almost abandonment. But the owners decided to renovate it and develop this rural tourism.
What I like most about this place is that, although it has all the facilities of excellent accommodation, it didn’t ignore its roots. On the contrary, it embraced them and made them one of its greatest attractions.
Casas do Juízo includes eight rustic houses, many of them favoring stone, ranging from T0 to T4, perfect for families.
In my case, I stayed at Casa do Palheiro. A bedroom with a couple bed, a sofa bed, and a bathroom (prepared for people with reduced mobility). Everything on the ground floor. With stairs leading to the upper level, there’s a kitchen/living room in a mezzanine style.
It was perfect! An ample space, with air conditioning, super comfortable and cozy even though we are in the heart of Guarda, and it was cold when I was there.
Lots of things to do at Casas do Juízo
In total, Casas do Juízo only takes 30 people, who also have at their disposal a covered outdoor pool, a small farm with animals, and a greenhouse. There’s also a village tavern and an oil press house that has transformed into a small museum space.
The accommodation itself organizes various activities for guests. You can go on a picnic with traditional snacks, make sweets, and homemade bread, participate in agricultural activities or stroll through cattle trails or to the Carrascal do Juízo.
In addition to the village being super quiet and rustic, other attractions are within a small distance. Casas do Juízo are located at the intersection between the Route of the Historical Villages of Portugal, and the Great Route of the Vale do Côa. It’s only a 30-minute drive to the Vale do Côa Archaeological Park.
I hope you enjoyed this accommodation suggestion and can wait to hear what you think of it.
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