Baraka
The magic of abundance
Baraka Forest is a syntropic agroforestry project and a farmstay in Azores,
São Miguel Island, built and run by a couple Irina and Jules.
Baraka Forest was established in 2023 on one hectare of abandoned land that was heavily overgrown with brush. We began by clearing it by hand, without using any heavy machinery. After the battle against invasive plants, we started planting with the goal of creating a food forest — a diverse garden of fruit trees, nuts, and berries. We follow syntropic agroforestry principles that respect natural cycles and the time and space needed for a healthy, productive ecosystem.
While our trees are still growing, we make use of the sunny areas by planting vegetables and herbs, and we sell our produce at a local farmers’ market.
While our trees are still growing, we make use of the sunny areas by planting vegetables and herbs, and we sell our produce at a local farmers’ market.
Happiness is only complete when shared. We truly love to meet people who enjoy and appreciate the same things we do: nature, meaningful work, and thoughtful, intentional living. For this reason we’ve built a small wooden house for ourselves, along with cozy wooden cabins for guests.
There is an open terrace with a shared kitchen where we process our farm products and gather with friends. Unlike mainland Portugal, we’re not at risk of wildfires, so we can enjoy barbecues and bonfires during the warm summer nights.
If you’re planning to visit the Azores and would like to stay with us, please contact us using the form below.
There is an open terrace with a shared kitchen where we process our farm products and gather with friends. Unlike mainland Portugal, we’re not at risk of wildfires, so we can enjoy barbecues and bonfires during the warm summer nights.
If you’re planning to visit the Azores and would like to stay with us, please contact us using the form below.
There is a special kind of joy in placing a seed into the soil and waiting for the first tiny green tip to break through the surface — or in rescuing pruned branches from the compost pile and watching life take hold and thrive again. At some point we slightly overdid it though, so we got licensed and became an official nursery. Today, we propagate fruit and ornamental trees as well as houseplants, carefully grown and adapted to our local climate.
Single plants for private gardens are available at the farmers’ market, or you’re welcome to arrange a visit to the nursery. We also offer wholesale quantities of fruit and support trees for agroforestry projects, and we’re happy to share our knowledge — from advice to planning support for your property. Feel free to reach out, let’s make the island green again!
Single plants for private gardens are available at the farmers’ market, or you’re welcome to arrange a visit to the nursery. We also offer wholesale quantities of fruit and support trees for agroforestry projects, and we’re happy to share our knowledge — from advice to planning support for your property. Feel free to reach out, let’s make the island green again!
Travel to Azores
Our sun soaked piece of land rests on the North Shore of São Miguel island, Açores, Portugal. We are located just a few minutes drive from the ocean and sheltered from the strong Western storms by the beautiful Sete Cidades volcano. The drive to the airport takes 15 minutes, not much longer it takes to get to surf spots, good restaurants and nice view points. Well, São Miguel is a small island, everything is basically a stone throw away.
Far from being professional tourist guides, we will share our favourite activities when you are here. In general you don't go to Açores for partying or beach holidays rather prepare yourself for hiking and exploring. And when your body needs a reward for taking you out, there are some good options like delicious food and relaxing hot springs.
Far from being professional tourist guides, we will share our favourite activities when you are here. In general you don't go to Açores for partying or beach holidays rather prepare yourself for hiking and exploring. And when your body needs a reward for taking you out, there are some good options like delicious food and relaxing hot springs.
You might be wondering...
- Is the Azores good for eco travel and sustainable tourism?São Miguel Island in the Azores is one of Europe’s hidden gems for nature-oriented travel. With volcanic landscapes, exceptional biodiversity, a mild year-round climate, and a growing community of people pursuing sustainable and regenerative ways of living, it offers something genuinely different from mainstream tourist destinations. The island rewards slow travel and curiosity.
- Where can I experience authentic farm life in the Azores?Baraka Forest is a working syntropic agroforestry farm on the north side of São Miguel Island, in the Capelas area. Guests can stay in handcrafted wooden bungalows, walk through the farm, observe the growing system in action, and connect with the people behind the project. It’s not a staged experience — it’s real farm life, with all the beauty and imperfection that comes with it.
- Can I meet local people doing interesting sustainable projects in the Azores?Yes — and this is one of the most rewarding parts of visiting São Miguel beyond the usual tourist trail. At Baraka Forest, you’ll meet Jules and Irina, who left conventional life behind to build a syntropic farm and off-grid home from scratch on volcanic land. Staying with them means genuine conversations, shared meals, and a window into what it actually takes to live close to nature.
- What is it like to stay at a farm in the Azores?Staying at Baraka Forest means waking up surrounded by banana plants, fruit trees, and the sounds of the Atlantic island countryside. The bungalows are small, carefully handcrafted, and designed to keep you connected to the outdoors — including an open-air tropical shower. It’s simple, beautiful, and intentional. Exactly the kind of place you’ll want to return to.
- What kind of traveler is Baraka Forest for?Baraka Forest is for people who travel to connect — with nature, with land, and with people who are doing something meaningful. If you are drawn to regenerative living, curious about how food actually grows, or simply tired of hotels and tourist crowds, this is a place where you will feel at home. You don’t need to be a farmer or an expert — just open and curious.
- Can I meet local people doing interesting sustainable projects in the Azores?Absolutely. After living on São Miguel for several years and building Baraka Forest, we’ve become part of a vibrant community of people doing meaningful work on the island. We know artists, writers, photographers, farmers, and other creators who are experimenting with sustainable living and regenerative practices. When you visit us, we love introducing guests to this community so you get a fuller, richer experience of what’s actually happening on the island — not just tourism, but real people building real projects.
- Which area of São Miguel is best for travel?São Miguel is a small island, so you’re never more than an hour’s drive from one side to the other. The choice between north and south is really just fifteen minutes apart. Our location in Capelas on the north side is strategically perfect: only fifteen minutes from the airport, twenty minutes from the iconic Sete Cidades volcano, and twenty minutes from the best beaches on both the north and south coasts. You can easily explore the whole island while staying based in one place.
- What kind of experience can I expect when visiting a working sustainable farm?You’ll experience real farm life — not a polished tour, but genuine work in progress. You’ll see what syntropic agroforestry actually looks like in different seasons, meet the people building it, and understand the daily rhythms of sustainable living. You might help with harvesting, learn about our off-grid systems, explore the forest we’re regenerating, or simply sit and absorb the slower pace of life here. It’s as much about connection — to the land, to the people, to a different way of living — as it is about learning.
- Is it worth visiting the Azores if I’m interested in regenerative farming?Yes, especially if you want to see how people are actually living these values rather than just reading about them. The Azores attracts people who are thinking differently about agriculture, energy, community, and their relationship with nature. It’s a place where you can meet farmers experimenting with regenerative systems, stay in sustainable accommodations, eat food grown locally, and be part of a genuine community exploring alternatives. It’s not a resort experience — it’s a chance to witness real transformation happening.
- What makes Baraka Forest different from a typical guesthouse?We’re not primarily in the hospitality business — we’re farmers living our values. Our guests stay in wooden bungalows we built ourselves using sustainable techniques, eat food we grow, and have access to our community and projects. You’re not just visiting a place; you’re stepping into a life we’ve chosen and are continuously building. That authenticity — the mistakes, the learning, the genuine connection to the land — is what makes it different.
- Can I eat food from the farm when I visit?Absolutely — one of the joys of staying at Baraka Forest is the freedom to harvest whatever you find ripe and ready. What’s available depends on the season. In summer, you’ll find an abundance of vegetables, herbs, and fresh greens. Year-round, we have bananas, and depending on the season, you might find passion fruit, winter vegetables like beetroot and cabbage, and whatever else the farm is producing. It’s a way of truly connecting with the food you eat and understanding where it comes from. There’s something deeply satisfying about picking your own breakfast from the trees and garden surrounding your bungalow.
- Can I get involved and help with farm or construction work during my stay?Yes, absolutely. We always have farming or construction projects underway at Baraka Forest — whether it’s planting, harvesting, building, or maintaining our systems. If you’re interested in getting your hands dirty and learning by doing, you’re very welcome to join us. Many guests find this is one of the most rewarding parts of their visit — working alongside us, understanding the real effort behind sustainable living, and leaving with practical knowledge and genuine accomplishment. It’s optional, of course, but those who participate often say it’s what made their stay truly memorable.
- Are pets welcome at Baraka Forest?Yes, we’re very animal-friendly here. We have two dogs and two cats that are always around the property — our dogs are outdoor animals and very much part of the farm life. If you have a pet and they’re socialized and able to make friends with ours, you’re absolutely welcome to bring them along. It’s a wonderful way for your pet to experience farm life too, and many guests love seeing how their animals interact with ours in this open, natural setting.
– Irina & Jules
If you want to visit us, have a question or idea, feel free to reach out using a form below, we will contact you back in short time. Thanks for visiting our website and hope to see you in Azores!
