What if that two or three-day getaway to Gerês could last almost a week, without needing to use up more of your vacation days?
For those who can work remotely, it’s entirely possible. A computer, a good internet connection and peaceful accommodation make it possible to combine a few days of remote work in Gerês with time to rest and explore the region.
You could, for example, extend a getaway with a few days of remote work before or after your days off. This way, you can stay in the region longer without the entire stay having to come out of your vacation days.
At Quinta Lamosa, in Arcos de Valdevez, we have already welcomed guests who chose exactly this solution: staying more days in the region while keeping up their professional commitments and using their free time to discover Gerês and Alto Minho with greater ease.
If you’re thinking of doing the same, keep reading. You’ll find out how to organize this experience in the best way.
Why choose Gerês for remote work?
Gerês and the surrounding region are particularly interesting for those looking to combine remote work, nature and rest.
It’s the best of both worlds: during the day, you can keep your professional routine in a peaceful setting. When you finish work, you can spend your free time exploring Arcos de Valdevez, exploring nature, hiking trails, visiting villages, or simply resting.
- More peace and quiet during working hours.
Temporarily changing your environment can make your professional routine more pleasant. For those who spend several hours at the computer or regularly take part in online meetings, working in an independent property surrounded by nature provides a very different experience from what you would normally find in the city. This doesn’t mean turning a workday into a holiday! It means simply changing where you work and making better use of the time that comes afterward.
- Breaks away from your usual environment.
A coffee outdoors, a few minutes in the garden, or simply a break surrounded by nature. These are small differences that help make the experience of working remotely in Gerês distinct from working from home.
- When you close your laptop, you’re already at the destination.
When you finish your workday, you don’t need to face a trip to start enjoying the destination. You’re already there.
How can you extend a weekend in Gerês through remote work?
The ability to work remotely allows you to organize a stay in a much more flexible way. Instead of limiting the trip to just vacation days or days off, you can combine periods of remote work with moments dedicated to exploring the region.
There is no single formula. Depending on your professional availability, you can add a few days of remote work at the beginning or end of your stay, alternate between workdays and leisure, or stay in Gerês for a longer period while keeping up your professional routine.
The goal is not to work during vacation, but to take advantage of the flexibility of remote work to stay longer at the destination. This way, you can discover the region without rushing and spread out outings, activities and moments of rest throughout the stay.
What should accommodation for remote work in Gerês have?
Good accommodation for remote work should have fast internet, peace and quiet, privacy, and conditions that allow you to stay comfortably for several days.
When you’re also going to use the accommodation as a temporary workspace, certain features become especially important:
1. Fast and stable Wi-Fi
The quality of the internet connection is one of the first things to check when looking for a place to work remotely in Gerês, especially if you need to take part in online meetings, make video calls, use cloud platforms, or send files. A good connection is essential.
At Quinta Lamosa, all the holiday homes have high-speed Wi-Fi, allowing you to keep up your professional activity during your stay.
2. Peace and privacy
An important meeting or a task that requires concentration is easier in a peaceful setting. Quinta Lamosa’s houses are independent, offering greater privacy during the day and providing indoor and outdoor spaces where you can organize your routine.
3. Conditions for longer stays
Needs also change when you go from a weekend to four, five, or more nights. Having a kitchen available, a living room, and outdoor space makes the stay more self-sufficient and comfortable.
At Quinta Lamosa, the houses are set up to provide that independence, with an equipped kitchen, living and dining room, private bathroom, fiber-optic Wi-Fi, television, heating and air conditioning. Outside, guests can enjoy the garden and the different leisure areas, as well as the saltwater pool and, depending on the accommodation, a balcony, deck or barbecue.
The kitchen makes it possible to prepare meals without always relying on restaurants, while the living room and outdoor spaces allow you to organize your day between periods of work and rest. For those staying 8 nights or more, a cleaning service during the stay is also included.
Where to stay to work remotely in Gerês?
A Quinta Lamosa, located in Arcos de Valdevez, is an accommodation option for those looking to combine remote work with a stay close to Gerês and the nature of Alto Minho. The location allows you to enjoy a peaceful setting without being limited to the accommodation for the entire stay.
Arcos de Valdevez is an excellent starting point for discovering the region, allowing you to combine workdays with outings and activities during your free periods.
From here, you can visit different places such as: Arcos de Valdevez, Sistelo, Ponte de Lima and other areas of Alto Minho and the Gerês region.
This location is especially interesting for a longer stay: you can keep your routine during the week and set aside late afternoons and the weekend to explore different parts of the region.
Is Quinta Lamosa set up for remote work?
Yes. Quinta Lamosa has the right conditions for anyone wanting to work remotely for a few days, with high-speed Wi-Fi, independent holiday homes, and spaces that make it possible to combine work, rest and contact with nature.
For those looking for accommodation for remote work near Gerês, Quinta Lamosa also presents itself as a coworking and coliving option in Northern Portugal, especially interesting for digital nomads, freelancers and professionals who value peace and quiet, independence, and longer stays.
More than just a place to sleep, accommodation for remote work should allow you to stay comfortably throughout the day. At Quinta Lamosa, it’s possible to organize your professional routine in a calmer setting and enjoy the spaces and natural surroundings once your workday is over.
To learn more about this side of things, check out the Coliving & Coworking conditions at Quinta Lamosa and also see the article Coliving and Coworking in Northern Portugal: Quinta Lamosa, where we explain in more detail the advantages of combining accommodation, remote work and nature.
How to organize a day of remote work in Gerês?
The best way to balance remote work and leisure is to keep a defined professional schedule and set aside the time after work for exploring and resting. After all, being surrounded by nature doesn’t mean you have to completely change your routine.
If you normally start working at 9:00 a.m., keep that schedule. Organize your meetings, take your usual breaks, and also set an end time. The advantage begins precisely at that moment.
This way, you can clearly separate the two moments: you work during the day; you enjoy the region after work.
What to do after work in Arcos de Valdevez and Gerês?
After a day of remote work, you can take the opportunity to explore Arcos de Valdevez, walk along the Ecovia do Vez, visit Sistelo, or simply enjoy nature and the accommodation. If you’re looking for more ideas to organize your free time, also check out “What to do in Arcos de Valdevez?”.
A longer stay lets you discover the region at a different pace. Instead of trying to fit all your outings into a single Saturday or Sunday, you can spread different experiences across several days.
- Trails and nature in Gerês
On the days you’re not working, you can set aside more time to explore trails and different natural areas of Gerês. If you’re planning your trip, also check out our guide on the best trails in Gerês for exploring nature.
- River beaches and lagoons
In the warmer months, river beaches are another way to round out your stay. You can find some suggestions in our article on the best river beaches in Minho and Gerês.
- Enjoying the pool
And not every evening has to include an outing… After several hours at the computer, you can simply enjoy the saltwater pool and Quinta Lamosa’s outdoor space. For those looking for other moments of disconnection, yoga, Reiki, meditation and therapeutic movement experiences are also available.
Remote work in Gerês or a traditional getaway: which to choose?
You don’t necessarily need to choose, that’s exactly the point!
If you only have one weekend available, a traditional getaway still makes sense. But if you have the flexibility to work remotely, you can use that possibility to arrive earlier or head back later.
Swap “I only have two days to be in Gerês.” for “I have two days off, but I can stay in the region for five days.” and head to the north of the country. It’s the same number of vacation days, but a different experience.
Arrive earlier or head back later
Remote work has made it possible to separate two things that were, for a long time, necessarily linked: being away from home and being on vacation.
Today, for many professions, it’s possible to keep working even while temporarily somewhere else. And that opens up new possibilities for short trips.
Next time you’re in Gerês and think you’d like to stay a few more days, you might not have to pack your bags right away. If your job allows you that flexibility, you can extend your stay and keep working from a different environment.
Do you already know where you’ll be working from next week?
Book your stay at Quinta Lamosa, in Arcos de Valdevez, and combine remote work, nature and more time to discover Gerês and Alto Minho.
We answer the most frequently asked questions about remote work in Gerês:
Can the internet handle a Zoom or Teams meeting?
Quinta Lamosa has high-speed Wi-Fi in its holiday homes, suitable for the typical needs of those who need to work online, including video calls and meetings. If your job requires very specific connection requirements, we recommend confirming with us before booking.
Is there a desk, or do I have to work at the living room table?
The houses weren’t designed as coworking spaces, but they do have indoor areas where you can set up your computer and temporarily organize your workspace. If you need a specific setup to work, get in touch with us before your stay so we can find out which house best suits your needs.
What if it’s raining? Are there conditions to spend the day working inside the house?
Yes. The houses are independent and have a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and indoor spaces where you can stay comfortably throughout the day. In other words, remote work doesn’t depend on being able to use the outdoor spaces.
Can I work outdoors?
The houses have outdoor spaces you can enjoy during your stay. Working outdoors will naturally depend on the weather conditions, sun exposure, and the needs of your own work.
Will I have to go out every day for lunch?
No. All the houses have a fully equipped kitchen, so you can prepare your own meals and organize your lunch schedule just as you would at home. For those staying several days to work remotely, this independence becomes particularly useful.
I have an important meeting. Is there enough privacy?
Quinta Lamosa’s houses are independent, providing more privacy than a shared workspace.
I’ll be working several days. Is it worth bringing a monitor, keyboard, or other equipment?
It depends on how you usually work. For one or two days, a laptop may be enough. If you’re planning to spend a week or work several hours a day, bringing some of the accessories you normally use at home can make the experience more comfortable.
We’re a couple and we both work remotely. Is that possible?
It can be, but it will depend on each person’s professional needs. If you both have several meetings or need to work at the same time in separate spaces, we recommend speaking with Quinta Lamosa before booking to find out the most suitable solution.
Can I extend my stay after I’ve already arrived?
It depends on the house’s availability for the following nights. If you realize during your stay that you can work remotely and would like to stay a few more days, get in touch with us so we can check availability.
Do I need to take vacation days to stay several days in Gerês?
Not necessarily. If your company or professional activity allows you to work remotely, you can combine regular workdays with the weekend or with a few vacation days.
Can I bring my dog while I’m working?
Yes. Quinta Lamosa is pet-friendly and has outdoor space. If you’re traveling with your pet, you can also check out our guide on pet-friendly rural tourism in Gerês.
Quinta Lamosa – Your place in nature.