Frequently Asked Questions
Accommodation
How late can I check-in / check-out?
You can check in between 15pm. and 9pm. We ask our visitors to arrive on time, because we don’t have a 24-hour reception. Beyond 9p.m., we charge an additional check-in fee of € 10 / hour.
You must Check-out until 11am. Beyond 11am, with prior approval of reception, you can stay until 2pm for an additional fee of € 30.
Where can I park?
Parking is at the entrance of the village and it’s free. Once your vehicle is parked, you will have to walk about 100 meters until you reach the Café da Videira where we make our reception. Inside the village there is no car traffic.
Is breakfast included?
Breakfast is included for bookings of individual houses every morning at the Café da Videira between 8.30am and 10.30am. Breakfast is not included in the Hostel (shared accommodation) but can be added.
Do you allow pets?
We accept dogs at Casa da Escada, Casa do Forno, Casa da Janela, Casa do Sol, Casa do Vale and Casa das Estórias. If your pet is a cat, you can stay at Casa do Forno, Casa da Janela or Casa da Escada. Don't forget to indicate them on your reservation. We charge a flat fee of €20 per stay for each pet. We can accept other pets on request.
Are the houses accessible to people with reduced mobility?
For geographic reasons, the village is not easily accessible to people with reduced mobility, however, we can prepare CASA DAS VIZINHAS for your stay. This house has an adapted bathroom and a bed on the ground floor, and we are here to help in what is needed.
The village of Lousã is a pioneer in terms of Accessible Tourism. Almost all buildings and equipment have good accessibility and there is even the possibility of requesting equipment adapted for outdoor activities (water sports, trail running, hiking, etc).
Can I access the Internet and use my cell phone in the village?
All of our houses have free Wi-fi. It is also possible to access the internet at Café da Videira.
At the moment, only Vodafone has mobile network coverage in the village. If you use another mobile operator, you may be unable to make calls or send SMS.
How can I change or cancel my reservation?
To change your reservation, please email us at reservations@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com, and you’ll be reimbursed for 100% of the value of the reservation in cancellations made up to 15 days before the entry date.
Changing the booking date is only possible with prior approval and not less than 10 days before the check-in date. When approved, this change has an additional cost of € 30.
No date changes or returns are made for cancellations made less than 10 days in advance and on special dates such as Christmas, New Year, Cerdeira Events, Carnival, Easter, and other Holidays.
Do the houses have central heating?
Yes, all houses have central heating. In addition, the independent houses have a wood burning stove for which we offer baskets of wood for you to use freely.
Are the kitchens of the houses fully equipped?
Yes, all kitchens are equipped with appliances, crockery, cooking utensils and a basic ingredients kit (olive oil, vinegar, tea, coffee, sugar, salt and spices).
I don't want to cook, where can I eat?
If you want to eat something light, go to the Café da Videira where we serve snacks and light meals. Here you can sample our homemade cakes, cheese / meat boards, chorizo and craft beer, among other things.
Is there a grocery store in the village?
We offer some basic products for sale in the Gallery. In Café da Videira you can also buy regional cheese and sausages, homemade sweets, honey and homemade canned goods of various flavours.
Where can I shop before I arrive?
You can do your shopping in Lousã. We advise you to buy everything you need before arriving at Cerdeira. Do not worry about buying bottled water, because water in the village is potable, of excellent taste and quality. On Wednesday and Saturday mornings, you can go to the food market in Lousã, an excellent opportunity to get fresh fish, vegetables and fruit!
Do you offer special packages or promotional prices?
Yes, we've created different packages for you to fully enjoy your stay. Just visit https://www.cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com/packages-cerdeira to consult the packages we have available at the moment.
Is there a shuttle service to Cerdeira?
Yes, you can request a shuttle service to and from Lisbon airport, Porto, or any other location. To use the service to and from the airport, access the link: https://cerdeira.airportshuttle.pt/ and follow the steps. On the Airport Shuttle, the price is individual, 38 € from Coimbra to Porto Airport, 45 € to Lisbon Airport, plus the Pickup fee in Cerdeira (per reservation and not per person), and 26 € for one or for more people. Cost of transfer Porto-Cerdeira: 64€/person Value of the Lisbon-Cerdeira transfer: 71€/person It is also possible to use it for other destinations of your choice. This modality's price is not per person but per group. Ex: A trip from Cerdeira to Coimbra, for one person or a group of people, will cost x €. The same van can transport up to 8 people, and the group shares the price. You must contact us by email with your request so we can send you a quote.
Can I charge my electric car?
Yes, our parking lot has a charging station for electric cars.
Activities
What kind of activities are available during my stay?
During your stay you can take advantage of one of our creative experiences (if booked in advance), attend a workshop / course that is taking place during those days, go for a guided hike or get to know the surroundings better by following one of the 9 unique itineraries we have developed for you.
Can I take a guided hike?
Yes, we work with a local organisation with experienced guides in Serra da Lousã. You can check the possibilities in "WALKING CYCLING AND OTHER ADVENTURES" or contact us by email. The hikes can be made with lunch box or with a proper meal in a restaurant with typical regional food.
When do I have to schedule the activities?
You should let us know as soon as possible so we can check the availability of our guides, teachers and partners. The availability of creative experiences depends on the availability of our staff.
Do I need to have experience to participate in your creative experiences?
No, the creative experiences are designed to be a first contact with the technique, but it can also be adapted to more advanced levels. We can adapt the experiences to your needs or the needs of your company.
School
Where is the Arts and Crafts School?
The Arts and Crafts School is in the village of Cerdeira, in the workshop facilities. When you arrive at the village, you must go down through the main street until you find the "Ateliers" sign.
Does the course or workshop fee include accommodation?
The course or workshop fee does not include accommodation unless mentioned on the respective pages on the website. Some courses may offer accommodation in our shared Residences, but limited to their availability.
How can I register for an Arts and Crafts School training?
To register in a training (course or workshop), you must complete the form on the training page on the website. To complete the registration, you must pay the total amount of the training fee in advance.
Who can register for an Arts and Crafts School training?
The training is adapted to all ages and levels. You can enrol in the courses or workshops adapted to your age and formation level in the artistic area that you want to develop.
I need to change or unsubscribe from a training course or workshop. What should I do?
You may withdraw within 14 days of registration, paying the correspondent transfer fees. Following the EU consumer protection legislation, payments are not refunded past 14 days of registration. The payment will be fully reimbursed if the training cannot be held because of insufficient students. Suppose the training is canceled by Cerdeira - Home For Creativity for reasons of significant force such as a pandemic, civil disorder, a natural catastrophe, medical or family issues of the teacher, and others beyond our control. In that case, Cerdeira will offer a voucher for a different workshop of your choice. The voucher is valid for two years.
Who can register for an Arts and Crafts School training?
The training is adapted to all ages and levels. You can enrol in the courses or workshops adapted to your age and formation level in the artistic area that you want to develop.
When are the next courses and workshops?
To keep up with our school program you can subscribe our newsletter or access to the school calendar in our site.
Who are the teachers of the Escola de Arts and Crafts?
Our masters are professional artists from Portugal and other countries, specialists in their areas, with a special care for Cerdeira and that love to share their knowledge with those who look for our courses.
Artistic Residencies
Who can book an Artistic Residency?
Every artist or investigator from Portugal or other countries from the areas of Ceramics, Photography, Plastic Arts, Architecture, Wood, Drawing, Painting, Writing, Video, disciplinary crossings, among others.
Do I need to present a project?
It’s not necessary to present a project, but you should send us a small description of what you intend to develop. We prefer experienced proposers.
Do you offer any kind of financial support?
No funding is foreseen, but we can help you look for it.
How long can I stay in artistic residency?
A minimum of 2 weeks. We can agree on longer periods depending on the availability of our premises.
What kind of accommodation is available?
You can find all the information about our individual houses and shared residências directly in our website. The availability of both spaces depends on the activities that are going on at that time. When we get the dates for your artistic residence we’ll confirm if the space is available.
I need to change or cancel my artistic residence. What can I do?
To cancel or change your Artistic Residency, please email us to reservations@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com.
In case of cancellation, you will be returned 100% of the amount paid for the Artistic Residence in cancellations made up to 8 weeks before the date of entry and 50% of the amount paid for the Artistic Residence in cancellations made up to 6 weeks before the date of entry.
Changing the date of the Artistic Residency is only possible up to 8 weeks before the date of entry. No date changes or returns are made for cancellations/alterations made less than 8 weeks in advance or during the Artistic Residency.
If the Artistic Residencies is canceled by Cerdeira Home For Creativity due to force majeure reasons, 100% of the registration fee will be returned.
How many artists can be at the residence simultaneously?
Depends on the time of year and other factors.
Are the materials included in the use of the spaces (accommodation and studio)?
No. The use of the space includes only its use and equipment available on request.
What equipment is available at the studio?
Our studio is divided in three working areas and equipped with working tables, basic and power tools, ceramics equipment (potter wheels, electric kiln, Sasukenei- Smokeless wood firing kiln), basic wood carving tools, chainsaws, easels for painting, boards, data show and wifi.
Where can I buy material?
If you need materials, please tell us in advance so we can inform you where and how to get it. The responsibility for the acquisition of these materials is exclusively of the artist.
Can you give technical assistance?
If requested in advance, we can organize specialized technical support with the equipment (extra fee).
What’s the Studio schedule?
The studio does not have a defined schedule; the artist will have free access to the studio in order to practice the work Schedule of his choice. You must inform us in advance of the schedule that you want so we can manage the opening of the studio.
How do meals work?
The meals are the responsibility of the artist. There is a common kitchen in the shared residencies and an independent kitchen in the individual accommodations. You can cook your meals respecting the spaces rules.
Does the Artistic Residence include insurance?
Yes, we have a Liability insurance for any accidents. If the artist wants another type of insurance, he must to do it by himself.
What are the extras fees?
The artist is responsible for the purchase of the project materials and meals. To know thr price for firing in the electric or wood kiln please send an email to artsandcrafts@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com.
What is the social media policy?
We are on Instagram, Tripadvisor, Facebook. Residents are free to share photos identifying Cerdeira Home For Creativity. We ask you that before you share photos you ensure that other residents authorize their image on social media.
Do you allow pets?
Same policy as Accommodation.
Company retreats
How can I get more information about facilities, prices and conditions?
You can send us an e-mail to sergio.alves@cerdeirahomeforcreativity.com with your request.
What is the maximum number of people for a retreat?
The limit of individual beds is 36, and the limit with beds shared between couples is 51. If your retreat includes meals at Casa das Artes, it shouldn’t be of more than 25 people so we can ensure all the comfort we can, to make it an enjoyable experience.
Can I have special conditions for my company?
We partner with companies to provide discounts on accommodation for retreats and employee stays. Contact us for more information.
When should I book my retreat?
You should contact us as far in advance as possible so we can secure a date for your retreat. The confirmation of the date can only be made with the payment of 30% of the total cost.
What are the dining options?
We prepare meals for groups that are served at Casa das Artes, for a maximum number of 25 people.