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PERMACULTURE DESIGN COURSES  PORTUGAL

Explore the world of permaculture and regenerative farming at our educational center in Portugal, nestled in the coastal mountain range of Sintra, just 45 minutes away from Lisbon Airport.

Expect to gain practical answers and solutions for the challenges of today, and immerse yourself in a transformative lifestyle designed for yourself, the global community and our planet to thrive.

From those looking to build communities to those simply looking to connect more with nature or reduce their ecological footprint our course is designed for everyone with no prior experience needed.

Permaculture Courses: Headliner
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Terra Alta is one of the most established Permaculture projects in Europe. With 15 years as a permaculture site-in-development, and a centre for research and education with over 50 Permaculture Design Certificate Courses (PDCs) taught, we offer Permaculture education at the highest level, led by artist and certified Permaculture teacher, Pedro Valdjiu.

Upcoming Courses

  • 25 May 2025, 14:00 WEST – 07 Jun 2025, 10:30 WEST
    Ulgueira, 2705-349 Colares, Portugal
    A 2-week immersive course about living, creating and designing in harmony with nature. Scroll down for more detailed information, and secure your place by clicking RSVP. >Early-bird discount ends 21st February
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  • 15 Jun 2025, 14:00 WEST – 28 Jun 2025, 10:30 WEST
    Ulgueira, 2705-349 Colares, Portugal
    A 2-week immersive course about living, creating and designing in harmony with nature. Scroll down for more detailed information, and secure your place by clicking RSVP. >Early-bird discount ends 12th March
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  • 06 Jul 2025, 14:00 WEST – 19 Jul 2025, 10:30 WEST
    Ulgueira, 2705-349 Colares, Portugal
    A 2-week immersive course about living, creating and designing in harmony with nature. Scroll down for more detailed information, and secure your place by clicking RSVP. >Early-bird discount ends 3rd April
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  • 27 Jul 2025, 14:00 WEST – 09 Aug 2025, 10:30 WEST
    Ulgueira, 2705-349 Colares, Portugal
    A 2-week immersive course about living, creating and designing in harmony with nature. Scroll down for more detailed information, and secure your place by clicking RSVP. >Early-bird discount ends 24th April
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  • 17 Aug 2025, 14:00 WEST – 30 Aug 2025, 10:30 WEST
    Ulgueira, 2705-349 Colares, Portugal
    A 2-week immersive course about living, creating and designing in harmony with nature. Scroll down for more detailed information, and secure your place by clicking RSVP. >Early-bird discount ends 14th May
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  • 07 Sept 2025, 14:00 WEST – 20 Sept 2025, 10:30 WEST
    Ulgueira, 2705-349 Colares, Portugal
    A 2-week immersive course about living, creating and designing in harmony with nature. Scroll down for more detailed information, and secure your place by clicking RSVP. >Early-bird discount ends 4th June
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  • 28 Sept 2025, 14:00 WEST – 11 Oct 2025, 10:30 WEST
    Ulgueira, 2705-349 Colares, Portugal
    A 2-week immersive course about living, creating and designing in harmony with nature. Scroll down for more detailed information, and secure your place by clicking RSVP. >Early-bird discount ends 25th June
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Permaculture Course Dates
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COURSE OVERVIEW

​This Permaculture Design Course is an internationally recognised intensive program that equips students with:

  • a comprehensive understanding of the concepts of Permaculture

  • tools and know-how to design your own regenerative projects

  • the basics for land design, and whole-systems thinking tools to better navigate society as well as your own inner landscape
     

It is about 50% practical, with plenty of hands-on activities. We create a participatory learning environment and use interactive, embodied learning methods.

Permaculture Courses: Who We Are

PROGRAM INFORMATION

COURSE FEE
 

Early bird: 840 euros *only applies to sliding scale "fair"*
 

Sliding scale price:

- fair: 890€

- regular: 990€

- supportive: 1090€

This includes food. Upon registering you will be asked for your details and a registration fee of 200 € to secure your spot. This is a deposit and part of the course fee. You just pay the balance when you arrive. Please make sure to read our refund policy.

 

COURSE LANGUAGE

All our courses are conducted in English.

 

ACCOMMODATION

See accommodation section below

 

FOOD

Three vegetarian (mostly vegan with optional butter and occasional cheese and eggs ) meals per day with ingredients sourced from our gardens. Students are part of the preparation of meals and cleaning as this experience is a component of the course.

We also offer regular camping tents (60€ including a camping mat, not including a sleeping bag) and spots to pitch your own tent for free. 


The campsite is a semi-wild area where we have created level terraces among the trees and stones for people to pitch their tents out of view from the rest of the garden.

You can choose your preferred accommodation option upon registration.

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MEET THE TEAM

Get to know program facilitators, guest teachers, and the Terra Alta crew

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • The seven domains of permaculture action from David Holmgren

  • The principles and ethics of permaculture

  • Permaculture design method for planning a project and designing a homestead - Schematic design 

  • Orientation to Terra Alta as home and land resource system

  • Appropriate technology and sustainable energy systems

  • Animals in permaculture systems

  • Introduction to plant care and seed saving

  • Community and social tools for project and personal development

  • Regenerative landscape design

  • Water retention and regeneration

  • Composting and Soil Science

  • Bio-intensive techniques for kitchen and market gardening

  • Introduction to Regenerative Agriculture

  • Vermicomposting flush toilet system

  • Zero Waste strategies

  • Introduction to natural building

  • Food harvesting, preservation, and fermentation

  • Food Forest design, management, and implementation

A Glimpse Within
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STUDENT TESTIMONIALS

The time at Terra Alta was incredibly valuable to me. Being a bit insecure in the beginning I opened up to the people and found that they were all wonderful, without exceptions. It felt very good to meet so many people who are open-minded and who deeply care about the Earth. The teachings were great, easy to follow and accessible, regardless of the present level of knowledge you have.

Jan-Hendrik Pfleging

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CONTACT US

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©2019 Terra Alta Permaculture Education & Research Centre

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