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Welcome to todays diary entry! As we inch closer to the next wave of chaos—two shows, a packed schedule, and no days off until the end of May—my thoughts continue to drift toward Portugal. Not just the dream, but the place. The roots of it all. I’ve been doing more research into the region we’re most drawn to: Castelo Branco. And the more I read, the more fascinated I become—not just by the land, but by the story that soil has told for centuries.
Castelo Branco, nestled in the heart of central Portugal, has long been a magnet for people seeking a quieter life, a slice of self-sufficiency, and a reconnection with the earth. But why here, exactly?
Historically, Castelo Branco was established during Roman times, strategically located on the route between Lisbon and Spain. The area’s name—Castelo Branco, or “White Castle”—comes from a medieval fortress built from light-coloured granite, much of which still stands proudly today. Walking through the town, you’re surrounded by echoes of the past: cobbled alleys, baroque architecture, ancient walls that once stood guard over the town, and a 12th-century castle overlooking it all.
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But beyond the aesthetic, this region has always been a land of resilience. The terrain is rugged and sunbaked, the summers are hot, and the winters can bite. Yet this has created a culture of people who know how to live in harmony with the seasons, with a strong agricultural heritage that goes back generations.
That’s what draws people like us. Modern-day homesteaders, eco-dreamers, digital nomads. Castelo Branco offers affordability and space you simply can’t get in western Europe’s more developed regions. Plots with ruins, often complete with wells, olive groves, and sweeping views, can still be found for a fraction of the price you’d pay in Spain or France.
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The influx of foreigners looking to live off-grid has only grown since the pandemic. The region offers a genuine chance to build a life that isn’t dictated by mortgage stress or urban sprawl. Here, life can be simple, solar-powered, and rich in ways that don’t rely on a bank balance.
The town of Castelo Branco itself is no ghost town either—it’s bustling enough to have all the essentials: hospitals, schools, cafes, and supermarkets, but not so busy that you feel swallowed by it. Just outside, the landscape shifts quickly to hills, pine forests, and river valleys. It’s these quiet corners that call to us—the places where you can build a life slowly and intentionally.
There’s also a strong community of like-minded people. Brits, Germans, Dutch, and more have found their way to the region over the last decade. Forums are full of stories of people who bought their dream piece of land and are slowly turning ruins into homes, fields into farms, lives into legacies.
It isn’t all romantic, of course. The region faces challenges, including the growing threat of wildfires, which have intensified in recent years due to climate change. Portugal, particularly central regions like Castelo Branco, has had to adopt strict fire prevention laws. Landowners must clear a buffer of 50 metres around homes and structures by May 31st each year.
Penalties for non-compliance can be steep—sometimes reaching €10,000 for individuals. It’s a vital safety measure, though, considering the region’s history. In 2017, wildfires in neighbouring areas claimed over 60 lives and scorched thousands of hectares. These rules might seem strict, but they’re a small price to pay for protecting what you’re building.
Despite these considerations, the vision hasn’t dimmed. If anything, it’s sharpened. I can already picture a quiet spot among the pines, a small stone ruin slowly transformed into a home, a veg patch sprouting in the corner, the sound of chickens fussing about. As a dad, that image feels even more powerful—building something real, something enduring, something I can leave behind.
And so, while May may demand every ounce of energy, while the next few weeks may be pure chaos, this dream keeps ticking over quietly in the background. When I close my eyes, that little patch of Portuguese earth doesn’t feel so far away.
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