Certified Permaculture Design Course in Sintra – Hands-On PDC Training

Join our Certified Permaculture Design Course in Sintra for an immersive, two-week experience at the eco-village Aldeia do Vale, nestled between Sintra and Mafra. This intensive Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) course combines over 100 hours of theoretical lessons, practical workshops, field trips, and interactive activities designed to teach you sustainable living, regenerative design, and ecological stewardship. Guided by experienced permaculture instructors Sílvia Floresta and Orlando Pereira, you will learn to observe landscapes, understand natural patterns and cycles, and design productive, resilient systems that integrate soil, water, plants, animals, and humans harmoniously. This course is ideal for future permaculture designers, ecological enthusiasts, sustainability advocates, and anyone seeking hands-on experience in regenerative living systems.

By combining traditional permaculture ethics with practical application, participants will acquire skills to implement eco-village projects, sustainable gardening, agroforestry, water management systems, and community design, while experiencing the beauty and biodiversity of the Sintra region.

Course Dates and Location

• Dates: April 1st to 14th, 2026

• Location: Agroecological Project Aldeia do Vale, Sintra

• Schedule: 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM daily, dinner at 8 PM

Course Highlights
This intensive permaculture course in Portugal follows the original PDC curriculum designed by Bill Mollison, blending immersive theory with hands-on design practice. Participants will learn:

🌱 Principles and ethics of permaculture and their application in modern ecological projects
🌱 Landscape reading and observation skills to understand natural cycles and energy flows
🌱 Ecosystem design for gardens, forests, agroforests, and permaculture systems
🌱 Water management, rainwater harvesting, ponds, dams, and ecological swimming pools
🌱 Soil building, composting, and organic gardening techniques
🌱 Seed collection, conservation, and propagation methods
🌱 Zoning, energy planning, and resource-efficient design strategies
🌱 Natural building, eco-technologies, and sustainable housing
🌱 Community design, eco-village planning, and regenerative lifestyle integration
🌱 Permaculture implementation on personal or professional projects

Participants will apply these skills directly through hands-on workshops, collaborative design exercises, and field trips to explore real-world examples of permaculture systems in action.

Certification
To earn the Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC), participants must attend at least 80% of the course. The certification includes completing a final design project, demonstrating knowledge of permaculture principles applied to a real property or ecological system.

Accommodation and Community Living

• Free camping for all participants; bring your own tent or gear

• Fully integrated experience within a welcoming eco-village community

• Connect with like-minded sustainability advocates while practicing permaculture principles in daily life

• Enjoy evening gatherings, campfire discussions, and music sessions to foster social connection and inspiration

Why Join This Permaculture Design Course
This intensive permaculture course in Sintra is perfect for those looking to:

• Gain a recognized permaculture certification in Portugal

• Learn practical and hands-on permaculture techniques

• Apply regenerative design principles in gardens, homes, and communities

• Explore the Sintra-Mafra eco-region while living sustainably in nature

• Connect with a global community of permaculture practitioners

This course provides a transformative learning experience for anyone seeking to implement sustainable systems, reduce environmental impact, and create resilient ecological designs.

What’s Included
🌱 Over 100 hours of training with 40% practical workshops
🌱 Access to hot showers and Wi-Fi
🌱 Nutritious vegetarian meals prepared locally
🌱 Guided hikes to waterfalls, rivers, and scenic locations
🌱 Evening campfire sessions with music, storytelling, and community interaction
🌱 Comprehensive study materials, worksheets, and design resources
🌱 Participation in an active eco-village community, experiencing real permaculture implementation

Final Call to Action
Take your sustainability and ecological design skills to the next level with our Certified Permaculture Design Course in Sintra. Learn from expert instructors, gain hands-on experience with permaculture systems, and receive a globally recognized PDC certificate. Secure your spot now for a transformative experience in one of Portugal’s most beautiful ecological regions and start creating a regenerative future today.