Where We Will Gather - Salema Eco Camp

Salema Eco Camp is a regenerative tourism project located on Portugal’s Algarve coast, near the fishing village of Salema. Set across 12 hectares of natural surroundings, the camp brings together camping, comfort, wellbeing, and a commitment to ecological regeneration. It offers a welcoming environment for connecting with nature, meeting others, and taking time to slow down. The site includes spaces for gatherings, workshops, relaxation, and everyday community life.

Participants will have a range of accommodation options to choose from, with different levels of comfort and price. These include traditional camping for tents, caravans, and motorhomes, as well as glamping tents, lodges, apartments, studios, and mobile homes. People can bring their own tents on the site.

The lodges, for example, are wooden accommodations situated higher up on the campsite, with views across the surrounding landscape and access to a walking trail leading towards Salema Beach. They include private bathrooms, kitchens, and terraces. Accommodation prices vary depending on the type of stay and availability, so participants will be able to select what best suits their needs and budget.

Salema Eco Camp offers a mix of accessible facilities and accommodation, while its natural, terraced landscape includes slopes and uneven terrain in some areas.

Participants with mobility or other accessibility needs are encouraged to consider the location of their accommodation and the routes between gathering spaces when making their arrangements. We will share further information about accessibility and work to support participants in identifying suitable options.

Salema Eco Camp is accessible by car and public transport. The nearest major airport is Faro, with onward connections available by train and bus.

For those travelling without a car, public transport connections from Faro and Lisbon lead towards Lagos. From Lagos, Vamus Algarve bus line 47 connects to Salema, with a bus stop directly in front of the campsite. Salema village is approximately 15 minutes away on foot, while the camp also offers a free shuttle service to Salema Beach, which is around five minutes by car or 15 minutes walking.

We encourage participants to consider shared transport, public transport, and other lower-carbon travel options where possible. More detailed travel guidance will be shared closer to the gathering.

The on-site Nazari Restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, alongside drinks, snacks, and other food options throughout the day. The restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired food and includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

For our gathering, meals at the on-site restaurant and café will be included in the registration price, with further details about the menu and dietary requirements to follow. Participants will also have access to the Eco Store, which stocks everyday essentials, including bread, fruit, vegetables, and other food supplies.

Regeneration is central to Salema Eco Camp’s approach. Rather than focusing solely on reducing environmental harm, the project aims to contribute to the recovery of local ecosystems and develop more conscious ways of living and travelling.

The camp calculates its carbon footprint annually and invests in decarbonisation projects. Its sustainability work includes a wastewater treatment system that recycles water, composting for organic waste, recycling facilities, and the use of non-toxic cleaning products.

The Nazari Restaurant also calculates the carbon footprint of its dishes, helping visitors make more informed food choices and prioritising local products where possible.

Salema Eco Camp has held Green Key certification since 2022 and has been working towards Zero Waste certification since 2024, alongside its wider regeneration, biodiversity, water conservation, and circular economy initiatives. These efforts offer an opportunity for us to explore how the gathering itself can contribute to a more regenerative relationship with place.