Portugal - Quinta do Rol
Great instruction on top-quality pure-bred Lusitano horses at this riding centre near Lisbon. Instructors João Gouveia and Miguel Preira are experienced riders and trainers – so your dressage is sure to improve.
The equestrian centre at Quinta do Rol has been carefully planned from the light and airy stables to the beautiful tack room. Facilities include a 20 x 40 metre indoor arena with mirrors, 20 x 60 metre outdoor covered arena, working equitation paddock, lunge pen and wash-boxes. The horses are groomed to perfection before each session, long flowing manes and tails brushed, hoof dressing applied and brushing boots fitted. Regular turn-out in the paddocks keeps the horses healthy and happy. These are not your ordinary dressage schoolmasters; they are well-muscled horses so bursting with health that you just can’t wait to ride.
Guests are also well-catered for with a wonderful Riders’ Lounge. The viewing gallery to the indoor arena has sliding windows so you can feel part of the action and continue to learn even when you are not riding. After your lesson you can relax on the terrace with a refreshing drink from the bar or perhaps in cooler months sit by the fire with a coffee.
The horses at Quinta do Rol are purebred Lusitanos. Lessons are always on a one to one basis enabling you to concentrate wholly on what you wish to achieve whether it be to strengthen your position, improve your lateral work or get the hang of one-time changes.
Dressage saddles with double bridles are used. You can also request to try the traditional Portuguese saddles.
You may warm-up with one instructor and then switch to another instructor for the remainder of your lesson. There may be more than one lesson being conducted at the same time but headsets are often used to ensure that instructions to each rider are clearly received.
You can choose an intensive programme with two lessons per day or a more relaxed schedule with one lesson a day. When you are not riding there is a great deal to be gained from watching other guests have lessons or perhaps watching the Quinta do Rol staff training the horses.
Between October and the end of May, it is sometimes possible for experienced guests to ride the dressage horses on Areia Beach. This activity cannot be guaranteed because it is subject to experience levels, availability, tide and weather conditions and so can only be arranged once you arrive (c. €190 per person - payable locally).
Dependent on availability and riding level, you might be able to take a tour of the estate on horseback - this needs to be booked and paid for locally (c. €95 per person).
Experienced dressage riders may be able to swap a lesson for a session in the traditional Portuguese discipline of Working Equitation. If you think you might like to try Working Equitation during your stay, then please let us know at the time of booking. WE lessons are dependent on availability and your ability, so you will also need to reiterate your request to your instructor at Quinta do Rol.
Hard hats are mandatory.
Quinta do Rol has four spacious guest cottages. Each cottage is equipped with a fireplace, television and music player and there are air conditioning units fitted for the warmer months. There is a kitchen where guests can help themselves to tea, coffee and cold drinks. Each cottage has a garden or terrace area. Guests may share a cottage, but they are not expected to share a bedroom or a bathroom.
There is a swimming pool (not heated) with BBQ and gym area as well as tennis and basketball courts for guests to enjoy. The riding centre is a few minutes' walk from the main quinta down a private drive and across a country road.
Open all year. You can arrive and depart on any day the minimum stay is 3 nights (3 lessons).
Sample Itinerary for Quinta do Rol 
Select your preferred arrival date:
It is possible to have 1 or 2 lessons per day. The following prices are a guideline and we will send you a quote for the number of nights you wish to stay and the number of lessons you wish. If you stay 6 nights or more and have 10 lessons or more in total there is a discount which is reflected in the rates below.
| Per Rider (sharing a room) |
Per Rider (single room) |
Non-Rider (sharing) | ||
| 1 Sep-15 Nov 2023 | 6 nights / 10 lessons | $2,033.22 | $2,361.16 | $1,049.40 |
| 6 nights / 5 lessons | $1,568.64 | $1,896.58 | $1,049.40 | |
| 3 nights / 5 lessons | $1,060.33 | $1,240.70 | $541.10 | |
| 3 nights / 3 lessons | $852.64 | $1,033.01 | $541.10 | |
| 16 Nov-31 Dec 2023 | 6 nights / 10 lessons | $1,626.57 | $1,888.93 | $839.52 |
| 6 nights / 5 lessons | $1,254.91 | $1,517.26 | $839.52 | |
| 3 nights / 5 lessons | $848.27 | $992.56 | $432.88 | |
| 3 nights / 3 lessons | $682.11 | $826.40 | $432.88 | |
| 1 Jan-28 Feb 2024 | 6 nights / 10 lessons | $1,670.30 | $1,853.95 | $839.52 |
| 6 nights / 5 lessons | $1,254.91 | $1,438.56 | $839.52 | |
| 3 nights / 5 lessons | $861.38 | $966.33 | $446.00 | |
| 3 nights / 3 lessons | $708.35 | $813.29 | $446.00 | |
| 1 Mar-30 Nov 2024 | 6 nights / 10 lessons | $2,087.87 | $2,317.43 | $1,049.40 |
| 6 nights / 5 lessons | $1,568.64 | $1,798.20 | $1,049.40 | |
| 3 nights / 5 lessons | $1,076.73 | $1,207.91 | $557.50 | |
| 3 nights / 3 lessons | $885.43 | $1,016.61 | $557.50 | |
| 1 Dec-31 Dec 2024 | 6 nights / 10 lessons | $1,670.30 | $1,853.95 | $839.52 |
| 6 nights / 5 lessons | $1,254.91 | $1,438.56 | $839.52 | |
| 3 nights / 5 lessons | $861.38 | $966.33 | $446.00 | |
| 3 nights / 3 lessons | $708.35 | $813.29 | $446.00 |
INCLUDES Accommodation; all meals from dinner on day of arrival through to lunch on day of departure; coffee/tea with meals and in guest cottages; riding as per programme.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Payable for those in a single room.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Additional alcoholic, soft and hot beverages; gratuities; off-site excursions; massages.
NEAREST AIRPORT Lisbon.
TRANSFERS from Lisbon airport are €120 per vehicle each way (maximum of four people) - payable locally.
We can arrange transfers from Lisbon airport or Lisbon city.
Alternatively, you could hire a car and drive to Quinta do Rol, which is recommended if you wish to explore the area between riding sessions. The journey time from Lisbon airport is approximately 45 minutes.
Check-in to your room is possible from 16:00. You may arrive earlier and pre-book to have lunch if you wish. If you are not riding on arrival day, then we recommend you check-in before 18:00 so that you can settle into your room and be in time for dinner. The absolute latest check-in time is 20:00.
On your departure day you may book to ride, but you will need to vacate your room by midday so that it can be made ready for arriving guests.
Quinta do Rol is located 45 minutes' drive north of Lisbon.
Warm and dry for most of the year, with hot summer days. The wettest months are usually October to January. November to February can also feel cold, particularly in the evenings.
The standard of teaching and horses was amazing and made the holiday. Exceeded my expectations. It was brilliant, and I loved the brochure.
Harriet ,London
Overall rating: 5/5
