Perfolie Arte

Perfolie is an aerial acrobatics, yoga and dance academy in Abóboda, part of São Domingos de Rana in the municipality of Cascais. It was set up by Dina Costa, a professional circus artist who is now its artistic director and one of its aerial teachers. She writes that she chose to share aerial acrobatics through her own school rather than chase a career with the big touring companies, and that her teaching adapts to each student’s fears and weak spots.

The academy describes itself as a supportive, non-competitive place to build confidence, physical ability and creativity.

Perfolie’s children’s timetable is split by age:

• Mini Acrobats, ages 4 to 5. A beginners’ introduction to circus: juggling and object manipulation, balance work, floor acrobatics and the vertical fabric (aerial silks).
• Aerials, ages 6 to 14. Training on three suspended apparatus: aerial silk, aerial hoop (called lira) and aerial sling, a fabric hammock. The class works on strength, flexibility and coordination and takes everyone from beginners to advanced students.
• Floor Acrobatics, ages 6 to 14. Acrobatics done for performance rather than competition, with a skill list that runs from forward rolls, cartwheels, round-offs and handstands up to the flic-flac, the aerial cartwheel and the somersault.
• Musical Theatre, ages 6 to 14, listed on the price page.

Teenagers can move on to the teens-and-adults aerials class, and there’s aerial yoga and a flexibility class for teens and adults too. The 2026/27 timetables for children and adults are on the website as images, so look up your child’s age group there.

Monthly fees depend on age and how many classes a week your child does:

• Mini Acrobats (4 to 5): €39 for one class a week, €51 for two
• Aerials or Floor Acrobatics (6 to 14): €42 for one, €57 for two, €69 for three, €81 for four
• Musical Theatre (6 to 14): €45 for one class a week
• Teens and adults, aerials: from €48 for one class a week

Mixed packages combining disciplines cost €63 to €90 a month. Everyone pays €35 registration and €33 a year for personal accident insurance, which is compulsory and renewed each September. A second family member gets 5% off and a third 10%, and paying for the year in one go saves 5%.

A trial class costs €10 and must be booked in advance through the website. If you enrol within seven days, the €10 is taken off. Each person can try each activity once. No experience or particular fitness level is needed; the teachers adapt to where your child is.

Parents don’t watch classes. The academy wants children to build independence, so you drop off and collect. With the Mini Acrobats group, a teacher may ask a parent to help at first if a young child needs it.

Send your child in leggings or tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt, ideally with long sleeves. No jewellery, watches or clothes with zips or buckles that could damage the equipment.

Perfolie’s summer camp is for ages 6 to 12 and runs in weekly blocks. In 2026 there were five weeks, from 29 June to 31 July. A typical day:

• 08:30 arrival
• 09:15 to 12:30 activities
• 12:30 to 14:30 lunch and free time
• 14:30 to 17:00 activities
• 17:00 home time, with the building open until 19:00

The programme mixes aerial and floor acrobatics with theatre games, sport, art workshops, balance, juggling and dance. It cost €215 a week in 2026, with 8% off for a second child or a second week and €15 a week off for children already enrolled in classes. Book at reception or by emailing info@perfoliearte.pt; places are limited and paying by bank transfer confirms the booking. The camp page doesn’t explain lunch clearly, so ask whether to send a packed lunch.

The 2027 dates weren’t published when we checked.

Perfolie also puts on an Aerial Musical and hosts birthday parties at the academy. Details of both are on its website.

The age-banded classes make Perfolie a good first circus school for a four-year-old, and the long skills list in floor acrobatics gives older children clear goals. The no-parents rule helps independent children and may be hard for a clingy one at first. Children frightened of heights can start with floor acrobatics and move up when ready.

Jaya Aerial Lab in central Lisbon also runs a holiday camp in Christmas, Easter and summer. Armazém Aério teaches aerial circus from age 6 in Carnide and Almada, Chapitô has children’s workshops below the castle, and Gato Ruim in Loures starts at age 3. For a beach day on the same side of Lisbon, the Carcavelos surf camp is another drop-off option in the holidays.

What age can children start at Perfolie?

From age 4, in the Mini Acrobats group. Aerial and floor acrobatics classes start at 6.

How much does the Perfolie summer camp cost?

€215 a week in 2026, with 8% off a second child or second week and €15 a week off for current students.

What are the summer camp hours?

Arrival at 08:30, activities until 17:00, and the building stays open until 19:00 for later pick-up.

Can parents watch the classes?

No. Perfolie keeps parents out of classes to help children become independent, though a teacher may ask a parent to help a very young Mini Acrobat settle.

Is there a trial class?

Yes, for €10, booked in advance online. It’s refunded against the fees if you enrol within seven days.