Experiences

Because we're in the heart of the Dão Demarcated Region, wine tastings couldn't be missing. You can do them either in the panoramic kiosk at Vinha da Onda, overlooking the Serra da Estrela, or in the winery itself, with the presence of a winemaker - but always in the company of a gourmet board. Tastings are by appointment only and focus on the wines produced by Santar Vila Jardim (Memórias de Santar).

Experience the Dão in full through this grape harvest experience. The day begins with hand-picking the grapes, followed by a visit to the Santar Vila Jardim winery, where Memórias de Santar wines are produced, so you can learn all about the wine-making process. The program ends with a tasting overlooking the vineyard. Tastings are by appointment only and focus on the wines produced by Santar Vila Jardim (Memórias de Santar).

Picnics with regional, natural and organic products, to experience the various romantic corners of the gardens and vineyards.

Gastronomic experiences consisting of a guided tour of the hotel's vegetable garden or Santar Vila Jardim's Community Garden, learning about the ingredients available and collecting them for later cooking. Talk to us and find out if chef Luís Almeida could be your guide.

Indulge in the knowledge and flavours of the region in a personalised or group cooking class with chef Luís Almeida.

Gather family and friends and enjoy a game of croquet on the hotel lawn.

Enjoy a personalised massage in the open air, with the vineyards as a backdrop.  The massage takes place in the panoramic kiosk of the Wave Vineyard.

Book an individual or group Pilates class in the lush gardens of Casa das Fidalgas.

Start the day in the best way possible with an individual or group yoga class in one of the many corners of our gardens.

The Valverde Santar Hotel & Spa offers a series of walking tours so that you can venture out into the verdant landscape of Beira Alta and discover mountains and valleys, historic villages, river beaches and secret streams.

If you're passionate about nature and equestrian art, don't miss the opportunity to discover Santar on one of the horseback rides we have for you. The ride takes place on a tame horse, always accompanied by an experienced instructor, and can be preceded by a beginner's lesson in the riding arena at Quinta do Azevinho, in Santar, where it is possible to take riding lessons for various levels of experience and ages.

The Valverde Santar Hotel & Spa has electric bikes so you can discover Santar and the other towns and villages in the region, especially the Dão and Vouga Ecotrails. 

Located just a 20-minute drive from Santar, the city of Viseu is known for its immense historical and cultural heritage. Its network of museums includes: Casa da Ribeira; Almeida Moreira House Museum; Misericórdia Museum; Museum of the History of the City of Viseu...

Known for its diversity and unique scenic beauty, as well as its vast cultural and gastronomic heritage, Seia is a city where you can visit, among others:
- Toy Museum
- Bread Museum
- Natural Museum of Electricity
- Serra da Estrela Interpretation Center

Discover a unique cultural landscape in central Portugal. Mountains as far as the eye can see, water flowing from the earth in countless rivers and streams, and one of the most starry skies in the world. Here, nature reigns, the diversity of the villages stands out and the human touch of its people reigns supreme. The territory of the Schist Villages is divided into four Territorial Units (Serra da Lousã, Serra do Açor, Zêzere, Tejo-Ocreza), reflecting the geomorphological characteristics of these landscape units, as well as the architectural features and urban typologies of this group of villages.

Venture into this network of 41 Mountain Villages, geographically distributed between the Serra da Estrela Natural Park and adjacent areas and the Serra da Gardunha Protected Landscape, comprising 9 municipalities: Covilhã, Seia, Guarda, Manteigas, Celorico da Beira, Oliveira do Hospital, Gouveia, Fundão and Fornos de Algodres.

Aldeia de Pena is a typical schist village with 13 inhabitants and 10 houses. Nestled at the bottom of a valley in the Serra de São Macário, the village blends in with the nature that surrounds it in a dreamlike setting, with a crystal-clear stream running through it. The village has two restaurants, a small cemetery and a small chapel (Capela de Santo Inácio de Utopia), most of whose houses have been restored.

To get a closer look at the region's cultural heritage and its ancestral traditions, Valverde Santar Hotel & Spa organises visits to the villages and their respective crafts, from field work to the grape harvest, from herding animals to handmade cheese, from the operation of mills to embroidery, pottery and ceramics.

Because we're inland, that doesn't mean this isn't a destination of choice for nautical activities. How about a boat trip on the Criz, Dão or Mondego rivers? Or a stroll along extensive reservoirs such as the Aguieira, ending with a dip in a refreshing river beach? Here, as well as boat trips, you can go canyoning, go down water courses with ropes and jump into the water, go down slides and waterfalls or, in a more peaceful version, go kayaking or stand up paddle in more serene waters, such as those of the Mondego river or the Aguieira reservoir. Talk to us and we'll be happy to design the best program for you.