Casa da Abelha e do Mel

Casa da Abelha e do Mel (the House of the Bee and Honey) is a beekeeping and bee-education centre in Vila Meã, a small town in the municipality of Amarante, near the Serra do Marão mountains. Licínio Ramos and Paula Morais founded it in 2022 to teach people why bees matter and to sell the honey, pollen, royal jelly and propolis from their own hives. They also run beekeeping courses and a honey-tasting (sommelier) course for adults.

For families, the main event is “Apicultor por um dia”, which means beekeeper for a day. It lasts a full working day, from 08:30 to 17:30, and it is one of the few bee experiences in Portugal that goes beyond a short visit. Children aged 7 and over can take part.

The day starts with a “pequeno-almoço abelheiro”, a bee-keeper’s breakfast built around honey and other hive products. Then a guide gives a talk and demonstration on bees and beekeeping, covering how a colony works and what a beekeeper actually does through the year.

Lunch is at a local restaurant and isn’t included in the price, so budget for it. In the afternoon everyone puts on a full beekeeping suit and gloves and heads to the licensed apiary in Vila Meã to see the hives up close. There is honey and hive-product tasting along the way.

The group is small, between 4 and 12 people, and the day runs in Portuguese. If your child doesn’t speak Portuguese, check before booking whether the guide can help in another language.

A short hive visit shows children bees. A whole day lets them understand what they’re looking at. By the time they reach the hives in the afternoon, they’ve heard how the colony is organised and what the beekeeper checks for, so the frames make sense.

The centre’s own material explains the big picture well for a child: bees carry pollen between flowers so plants can make fruit and seeds, and in Europe bees handle around 80% of crop pollination. It also explains that bee numbers have fallen sharply, with habitat loss, intensive farming, climate change, parasites and pesticides among the causes. For a child who worries about nature, a day spent learning how people look after bees can be reassuring.

This works best for keen children of about 9 and over who already love bees, and for teenagers. The minimum age is 7, but a seven-year-old faces a long day that includes a talk and a restaurant lunch, so think about stamina and attention span honestly.

It isn’t a drop-off activity; children join alongside their parents. The centre says it is not recommended for people with limited mobility, and pets are not allowed. Tell the organisers about any allergies before you book. The price is high for a family, so it makes most sense as a special birthday present or a treat for a child who has asked for it.

When checked in September 2026, the day cost €123 for an adult and €61.50 for a child up to 12. The price covers the guide, the breakfast, the tastings, the loan of a suit and gloves, and the apiary visit. Private groups can ask for a quote, which is worth doing for a home-education group.

You book through the “Inscrever” (register) button on the page. The rules include long trousers and closed hiking-type boots, no sandals and no strong perfume. The page also reminds parents that children under 12 and shorter than 135 cm need an approved car seat, so if you’re moving between sites by car during the day, bring booster seats.

The centre runs a hive sponsorship scheme at €86.10 a year per hive. Sponsors get a name plate on the hive, a certificate, a hamper with a 250 g jar of honey and 250 g of pollen, and one booked visit a year to their hive. On that visit, the sponsor can bring one adult and up to two children aged 7 or over. It’s a good present for a grandparent to give a bee-mad grandchild.

The centre also marks World Bee Day on 20 May each year, and offers sessions for school groups and teachers on request.

Amarante is within reach of the Douro valley. The Douro river cruise through the Carrapatelo lock and the historic steam train on the Douro line are both good weekend pairings. Closer to Porto, the Parque Biológico de Gaia has trails and native wildlife. For a shorter bee visit near Lisbon, try As Colmeias da Joana, or A Apicultora in Coruche for a half-day version.

What is the minimum age for beekeeper for a day?

Children must be at least 7. The child price applies up to age 12.

How long does it last?

It’s a full day, from 08:30 to 17:30, with a break for lunch at a local restaurant.

Is lunch included?

No. Breakfast and the honey tastings are included, but lunch is paid separately.

Is it in English?

The listed language is Portuguese. Ask when booking if you need help in another language.

Is it safe for children around the hives?

Everyone wears a full suit and gloves provided by the centre, and a professional beekeeper leads the visit. Tell the organisers about any allergies before booking.