Herdade da Matinha is a small, family-run boutique hotel and it's our absolute favourite place to visit. It’s located about 2 hours south of Lisbon, close to the rugged and beautiful Atlantic coast. You can see a few images from the hotel and surroundings above.
HdM can only be reached by car so please follow the directions carefully and keep your eyes out for the signposts as you approach the hotel driveway.
Herdade da Matinha, Cercal, 7555-231, Portugal
Friday night: Phil Collins for boys, Tom Collins for girls
Saturday night: Summer smart (dresses for girls, jackets for boys)
It can get cooler in the evening, so please bring something to cover up
To Cercal:
From central Lisbon, follow local directions to the IP7 motorway, and cross over the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. Stay on the IP7, and continue south as the motorway becomes the A2. Around 120km south of Lisbon, take exit 10 from the A2, signposted for IP8 (Beja). After the toll booth, look for signs for the N262 to Algarve/Ourique and take this road. Remain on the N262 for around 55km until you enter the town of Cercal.
The motorway toll for the journey is around €10.
Continuing on to Herdade da Matinha:
At the center of Cercal you’ll find a large roundabout. To drive to Herdade, follow the signs for Rua 25 de Abril (N390), which is the second exit if you are coming into Cercal from Lisbon. Follow this road for just under 2kms out of town, and keep your eyes open for a signpost for “Herdade da Matinha” on the right hand side of the road. Take this turn off, and follow the track straight for around 3km until you reach the hotel and parking.
Located in the centre of Lisbon, Brown's is surrounded by major tourist sites and shopping. It offers well sized and good value rooms and is very family-friendly.
email: management@brownsapartments.com
phone: +351 213420078
Rates from €90, quote "Deeming/O'Meara" when booking
Towards the water on the west side of town, the LX has lovely rooms and is a short (uphill) walk from the busy neighbourhoods of Barrio Alto and Chaido.
email: book@lxboutiquehotel.com
phone: +351 213474394
Rates from €130, quote “Deeming/O’Meara” when booking*
Well located, this quiet and impeccably designed hotel offers incredible rooms and an outdoor infinity pool.
email: sales@memmohotels.com
phone: +351 213514368
Rates from €300, quote “Deeming/O’Meara” when booking
Ruguenguinho is 10kms from the wedding venue with well appointed rooms and two incredible suites. The beach is a little further from this property (15-20min drive).
email: reguenguinho@mail.telepac.pt
Rates from €110, quote “Deeming/O’Meara” when booking
Rural location in the middle of stunning wildflower meadows, Tres Marias is 7kms from the wedding venue and is very close to the best beaches.
email: turismotresmarias@gmail.com
Rates from €90, quote "Deeming/O’Meara" when booking
We also have details of local villas if anyone would like to group up and stay together.
Lisbon airport is very close to the city and a taxi to the center will cost about €15. There is also an efficient Metro system that connects out to the airport.
Lisbon is a great walking town and we recommend following the route of the 28 tram past the Cathedral to the monastery, and through Barrio Alto to Chaido. If you get tired, then the tram itself is a cheap and fun way to get around, and taxis are very affordable.
For dinner on Thursday night, we recommend 1300 Taberna and Decadente; reservations are essential at either place. For something more casual, Casanova has great pizzas down by the water.
We hope you will join us from 10pm at Park Bar for drinks and dancing. The bar is on the roof of the car park, located at Calcada do Combro 58. Take the lift to the 6th floor, climb the final flight of stairs and you’ll see the entrance to the bar.
If you want to go out late, the Lux club has a great DJ line-up, is part owned by John Malkovich, and stays open until the sun rises.
To get to Cercal on Friday, it’s best to hire a car or car pool with others as there isn’t any public transport. All major car rental companies have locations at the airport and in central Lisbon. There is plenty of parking available at the wedding venue and each hotel.
A stunning stretch of sand featuring amazing surfing and swimming in the Atlantic.
Taking the road from Cercal to Milfontes, turn right at the first roundabout in Brunheiras. Follow this road for 2.5km, and drive straight on when the road curves 90 degrees to the right. Follow the sandy track past a campsite and down the hill to the cliff top parking. The walk down to the beach is steep and sandy - take care, especially with children.
Porto CovoA lovely fishing village with a square with numerous terraces. Look out for the Miramar seafood restaurant right in the village, as well as the Ilha Pessegueiro on the road to the south, which is a great place to stop for a beer.
Ribeira da AzenhaBetween Praia Malhao and Porto Covo, you will find the this beautiful town beach with its thousands of round pebbles. Excellent for surfing, and the beach can be accessed easily on foot.
Walk through the historic center and visit the church and the 16th century castle fortress.
Fishermen TrailWalk a small section of the Rota Vicentina. Heading north from the town, you can walk for several hours.
ChoupanaExcellent restaurant right on the dunes specializing in line-caught grilled fish. The clams and tomato salad are also exceptional; an excellent place to see the sun set.
The simple fact that so many of you are coming from so far to join us for the weekend means a tremendous amount to both of us and we really don't expect gifts beyond that. However, if you would like to give us a wedding present, then we have created a small registry here. Just enter one of our surnames and the wedding date to find the list.
