Faq’s

Is Casa Meranka suitable for families with small children?

Casa Meranka in our summer guesthouse season, from June - Jan, is very suitable for families of all ages but parents must be aware that the outside spaces are  shared by all the other guests and we try to maintain a calm and peaceful environment. Although we try to provide a child-friendly garden and cottages, parents must not leave small children unattended. 

Retreat yourself season is from February - April and we are currently running an adults only program.  

How far is the nearest beach?

Our nearest beach is about a  10 - 15 minute walk from us and is an absolute must for anyone staying here, it’s truly stunning. There are an an additional wide range of different beaches in the surrounding area, between 5 min-20 min drive away from Casa Meranka. You can see more here.

Do you have wifi?

We have a good wifi connection available in all the cottages,  the main house and courtyards.

When is the best time of year to come for surfing?

For beginner surfers the best time to come is from May to October when the waves are smaller and the water is warmer. For more advanced level surfers you can find good waves all year round but from October to May the swells are bigger and more consistent.

Is the surf also suitable for beginners?

The surf here is great for beginners. We have so many beaches to choose from to find the correct conditions for your level of surfing. Also, in the summer months most of the popular beaches are life guarded. Let us know if you need more information.

Can we find nice restaurants close by?

We have a very popular, simple, Portuguese restaurant just 100 metres from Casa Meranka, a vegetarian cafe and a delicious local pizza restaurant just 5 mins walk away. Within a short drive you can find everything ranging from vegan food, to traditional Portuguese cuisine and an array of seafood restaurants on the beach. Check out more details here.

Is it necessary to rent a car or can we use public transport?

We advise you to rent a car if you would like to explore different beaches in the area and to have the freedom to move around as and when you feel like. Alternatively some people do choose to take it very easy and use the local shop in the village for supplies and walk to the nearby beaches. We also have a good bus service that runs directly through the village that connects all the way from Faro along the coast to Sagres. You can also take a bus or train service to and from Lisbon to Lagos for around €35 which takes about 4 hours. 

How far is the nearest supermarket?

We have one small local shop just a short walk through our village, they offer a basic selection of dry goods, some fresh fruit and vegetables, snacks and drinks. Andorinho da Mar, our vegetarian cafe in the village sells some local produced fruit and organic vegetables but make sure you check the opening times first as their opening times change and they are always closed Saturday, Sunday and Mondays.

For local, fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, meat and bread we highly recommend  the daily market in the nearby village of Villa do Bispo. One of our favourites is an organic fruit and vegetable stall from a local farm. Please note, the market is closed on Sundays and there will be no fish available on Mondays.

The nearest big supermarket is Intermarche, just two minutes drive from the village on the main road. We also have a Lidl in the nearby village of Villa do Bispo which is about 10 minutes drive from us and is more basic but a lot cheaper.

Do you have a lifeguard for your pool?

No, we do not have a lifeguard for our pool. Children must be not left unattended at the swimming pool.

Are towels, kitchen towels and bed sheets included within the stay?

Bath towels, kitchen towels and bed sheet are included. Beach towels can be rented for your stay.

Is there a washing machine for guests to use?

Yes, we have a shared washing machine available. Please not there is a small fee for each use.

Can I arrive in the middle of the month to Retreat yourself?

Retreat Yourself runs from the first week until the last week of  the month , this is to create an opening and a closure for every Retreat Yourself month.