Quinta da Estaca (sheep farm and cheese)

Quinta da Estaca is a sheep farm and cheese dairy in Vilar Seco, a village in the municipality of Nelas, south of Viseu. It lies inside the protected designation (DOP) area for Queijo Serra da Estrela, the soft sheep’s cheese that central Portugal is famous for. This is a working farm, with a flock that is milked every day, and it opens up its routines to visitors who book.

The farm appears on the Rota dos Queijos do Centro de Portugal (the Centre of Portugal cheese route), and its visits are listed there. When we checked in September 2026, the farm’s own website wouldn’t load, so the cheese route’s page is the best place to find current details. Phone or email before you go.

Farm visit and shepherding

The Visita à Quinta e Pastoreio (farm visit and shepherding) runs all year and takes about 30 minutes. Children see the flock’s daily routine, meet the lambs and find out what a shepherd’s day involves. When checked, it started from €1. For young children, this is the part to book: real sheep, real lambs and someone who can answer every question about them.

Milking

The shepherds milk the flock every day at sunrise and at sunset. From November to May, visitors can join them and learn to get the milk out themselves. The timing follows the animals, so it changes with the time of sunrise and sunset through the season. It takes about 30 minutes and started from €1 when checked.

That makes it a good winter activity, and a memorable one for children who have never seen where milk comes from. Dress warmly for an early or late milking in the colder months.

Serra da Estrela cheese workshop

From November to May, the farm runs a Serra da Estrela DOP cheese workshop. Visitors follow the traditional cheese-making process alongside the farm’s cheesemaker. It lasts 60 to 75 minutes, needs at least two people and started from €15 when checked. Days and times are arranged when you book.

For older children and teenagers, this is where the science comes in: how milk turns into curd, and what the cheesemaker does to turn it into a cheese that will keep.

Cheese-making video

Outside the cheese season, or for families with less time, the farm shows a video of the whole traditional process of making Serra da Estrela cheese, with an explanation. It’s available all year, takes 20 to 25 minutes and started from €2.50.

Tasting of regional products

The farm also offers a tasting basket of Serra da Estrela DOP cheese, cured sheep’s cheese, requeijão (a soft, fresh whey cheese), and cured sausages, served with broa (cornbread), pão de ló (sponge cake), sweets, honey, Dão wine and fresh juice. It runs all year, takes about 30 minutes and started from €8. What’s in the basket changes with the season.

Timing matters here. The milking and the cheese workshop only run from November to May, which is the season for Serra da Estrela cheese. From June to October you can still visit the flock, see the lambs if there are any, watch the video and do the tasting, but you won’t see milking or cheese being made. If your child’s main wish is to milk a sheep, plan a winter or spring trip.

Every activity needs booking in advance. The farm’s contacts are Leandra Ricardo and Aurélio Pinto, on 934 095 808 or 961 614 719, or by email at quintadaestaca@gmail.com. The address is Rua das Bocas 28, Vilar Seco, 3520-225 Nelas.

This is a working farm rather than a visitor attraction. Expect mud, animal smells and outdoor time in all weathers, and wear old shoes. The sources don’t mention toilets, cafés or accessibility, so ask about anything you need when you book. You’ll need a car to get there.

The cheese route suggests a one-day itinerary called Um dia para ser Pastor e ser Queijeiro (“a day to be a shepherd and a cheesemaker”): start with the farm visit and shepherding at Quinta da Estaca, then visit the Vale da Estrela cheese dairy in Mangualde, have lunch in Celorico da Beira and finish at another dairy there. Every stop needs booking.

With children, a shorter version often works better. Nearby, Casa das Palmeiras near Mangualde is a teaching farm with ponies and animal feeding, and Parador Casa da Ínsua in Penalva do Castelo runs a hands-on cheese-making workshop on weekdays in the same season.

Can children milk a sheep at Quinta da Estaca?

Yes, from November to May, at sunrise or sunset milking. Book ahead.

How much does it cost?

When checked in September 2026, the farm visit and the milking each started from €1, the cheese workshop from €15, the video from €2.50 and the tasting from €8.

Do you need to book?

Yes. Every activity is by booking only.

What’s the best time of year to visit?

November to May, when the milking and the cheese workshop run.