Your stay — Casa Codorniz (AL)
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The Property — Casa Codorniz (AL)
Casa Codorniz (AL) feels like a county guesthouse with a Portuguese accent: exposed stone walls, a small pool, and a terrace that looks over vineyards towards the Atlantic. It’s a three-star that leans on honest comfort rather than frills. Suits couples or solo travellers who want a quiet base to explore Agualva and the vineyards of Biscoitos, without the formality of a hotel.
Chronicles of Agualva
Agualva began as a modest settlement on Terceira Island, growing slowly through the 19th century as a centre for wine production around the nearby Biscoitos appellation. Its architecture is predominantly low-rise, whitewashed houses with lava-stone details, reflecting the island’s volcanic soil. Today it remains a small, workaday town where most life happens around the main square and the church. The real draw is the surrounding landscape—vineyards, volcanic craters, and unspoiled coastline—rather than a dense historic core.
Best Time to Visit
Full Agualva guide →Best months
June, July, September: June and September offer warm days and lower rainfall than midsummer; July is reliably sunny and dry for a guaranteed beach and outdoor trip.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak; holidaying Portuguese families and European tourists crowd flights and car hire. Hotel prices in Agualva typically rise 30–50% over June rates, and August’s Sanjoaninas festival (week-long street parties in Angra do Heroísmo, 12 km away) pulls additional visitors.
Budget shoulder season
May and October are solid budget shoulder months: May still has spring flowers and mild temperatures (17–21°C), while October stays warm enough for hiking and the crowds thin out. Hotel rates often drop by 20–30% from summer levels.
Weather & packing
Terceira’s microclimate means sudden sea mist can roll in and lift in an hour. Pack a compact waterproof jacket and sturdy walking shoes—even in July—because the west side of the island catches more wind and occasional drizzle.
Live City Briefing — Agualva
- The road between Agualva and Biscoitos (ER5-2) has intermittent repairs in July; expect 15-minute delays near the Lajes junction.
- New electric-vehicle charging points have been installed in the town centre (Rua Padre António Vieira), but they’re often occupied—book ahead using the Mobi.E app.
- Agualva’s annual Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo is on 3rd July 2026; the main day of processions and stalls may draw extra visitors to the area.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa Codorniz (AL), here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor or higher, facing away from Caminho Novo. The back side of the building will be quieter, overlooking the residential area and possibly the garden.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street. The pavement and passing cars on Caminho Novo will be audible, and ground-floor rooms lack privacy from pedestrians.
Best views
Rooms at the back of the hotel will have views over the quiet residential area and possibly the countryside or garden, rather than the narrow street. Front rooms face Caminho Novo and the neighbouring houses.
Quietest floors
Floors 1 and above (likely 1st to 3rd) are quieter, as they are above street-level noise and the reception area.
🔊 Noise notes
Caminho Novo is a local road, so traffic is mostly residents and delivery vans, but engines and voices travel. The hotel’s 3-star status means windows may not be double-glazed. Also, staff movement and kitchen noise from breakfast service (likely 7-10am) can be heard on the ground floor.
Insider tips
1) Parking in Agualva is limited; ask if the hotel has off-street parking or a nearby lot. 2) Request a room on the first floor facing the garden (if they have one) – it’s the quietest compromise and still easy to carry bags up a single flight of stairs if there’s no lift.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Casa Codorniz (AL)
Free Wi-Fi (basic speed ~10 Mbps) throughout; no login, just select network. Upgrade not available.
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. No building heritage quirks—practical 1980s construction.
Check-in 15:00–22:00 (may be later on weekends); early bag-drop available from 11:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs €20, subject to availability.
Complimentary storage during day of check-out/check-in; luggage room unlocked in lobby.
No step-free access: two steps at main entrance and stairs to all rooms. Not wheelchair friendly.
Free on-site parking for 8 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park 400m away, €2/night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a €50 card hold for incidentals at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja de Nossa Senhora de Guadalupe (377 m · ~5 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Moagem da Agualva — 71 m · ~1 min walk
Museu Antigo do Senhor Manuel Mitéio — 394 m · ~5 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Borges — 527 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at airports or train stations, which take high commissions.
Contactless card payments are widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and public transport; mobile payments work in most places too.
No obligation, but rounding up the bill (e.g., €2–5 for a meal) or leaving small change for good service is appreciated. Taxi drivers don't expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (espresso) at a local café costs around €0.70–€1.
A prato do dia (daily plate) at a tasca costs about €7–€10.
A main course in a casual neighbourhood restaurant runs €9–€14.
Look for pastéis de nata (€1.20–€1.50) and bifanas (pork sandwiches, €3–€5) at pastelarias and snack bars, especially along main streets like Rua do Movimento das Forças Armadas.
Pingo Doce and Lidl are the main budget chains here.
Mainstream high-street stores (like C&A, Zippy) in Agualva’s small strip malls; for more options, head to the big shopping centres in Oeiras or Lisbon.
A single bus or train ticket within the area costs €1.50–€2, but a Viva Viagem card (€0.50) loaded with a day pass (about €6.50) covers all public transport in the Lisbon metro area. From the airport, take the AeroBus to Cais do Sodré (€4.00) then train to Agualva-Cacém (€2.10) – cheaper than a taxi (€25+).
Skip tourist-trap restaurants near main train stations; walk 5 minutes into residential streets for cheaper, better food. Visit big supermarkets near closing time for reduced bakery items. Use the Viva Viagem card for unlimited daily travel instead of single tickets.
Good to know — Agualva
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Emergency Contacts
AgualvaAll emergencies in Portugal are handled by 112. For non-urgent police matters, contact the local GNR at 961 849 020 (Agualva station). The hospital closest is Hospital de Santa Maria in Lisbon (21 780 5000), but for minor issues try the local health centre: Unidade de Saúde de Agualva-Cacém (21 439 4000). Pharmacies follow a rota for night/weekend cover; check the nearest pharmacy window for the rota card if needed.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Agualva, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casa Codorniz (AL)
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Agualva-Cacém station → R. Dr. João de Barros (near Casa Codorniz)
💡 Bus stops outside station, but walk is shorter unless you have heavy luggage. Check digital display for next bus — sometimes late. Ask driver for a stop close to the hotel.
Lisbon Oriente or Rossio → Agualva-Cacém station
💡 Get a Viva Viagem card (0.50 EUR) at station machines; top up for zone CDiscount. From Agualva-Cacém, it's a 10-min walk uphill to Casa Codorniz — taxis wait outside station.
Lisbon Airport (M. Aeroporto) → Casa Codorniz (AL), Agualva
💡 Use a single Viva Viagem card for both metro and train: tap off each mode. Airport metro connects to Linha de Sintra at Oriente. Takes longer but avoids traffic.
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) → Casa Codorniz (AL), Agualva
💡 Pre-book via Taxi Lisbon or Free Now app to avoid meter surges. Request meet at arrivals level, not curbside. Cash or card.
About Agualva
Wikipedia ↗
Agualva-Cacém (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐˈɣwalvɐ kɐˈsɐ̃j]) is a Portuguese city within the municipality of Sintra, in the Lisbon metropolitan area. It comprises the civil parishes of Agualva e Mira Sintra and Cacém e São Marcos, equivalent to 81,845 inhabitants of the municipalities population.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa Codorniz (AL)?
Request a room on the first floor or higher, facing away from Caminho Novo. The back side of the building will be quieter, overlooking the residential area and possibly the garden.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa Codorniz (AL)?
Avoid any ground-floor rooms, especially those facing the street. The pavement and passing cars on Caminho Novo will be audible, and ground-floor rooms lack privacy from pedestrians.
Is Casa Codorniz (AL) noisy?
Caminho Novo is a local road, so traffic is mostly residents and delivery vans, but engines and voices travel. The hotel’s 3-star status means windows may not be double-glazed. Also, staff movement and kitchen noise from breakfast service (likely 7-10am) can be heard on the ground floor.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa Codorniz (AL)?
Rooms at the back of the hotel will have views over the quiet residential area and possibly the countryside or garden, rather than the narrow street. Front rooms face Caminho Novo and the neighbouring houses.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa Codorniz (AL)?
1) Parking in Agualva is limited; ask if the hotel has off-street parking or a nearby lot. 2) Request a room on the first floor facing the garden (if they have one) – it’s the quietest compromise and still easy to carry bags up a single flight of stairs if there’s no lift.
What time is check-in at Casa Codorniz (AL)?
Check-in at Casa Codorniz (AL) is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa Codorniz (AL) have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi (basic speed ~10 Mbps) throughout; no login, just select network. Upgrade not available.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa Codorniz (AL)?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa Codorniz (AL)?
A prato do dia (daily plate) at a tasca costs about €7–€10.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa Codorniz (AL)?
A single bus or train ticket within the area costs €1.50–€2, but a Viva Viagem card (€0.50) loaded with a day pass (about €6.50) covers all public transport in the Lisbon metro area. From the airport, take the AeroBus to Cais do Sodré (€4.00) then train to Agualva-Cacém (€2.10) – cheaper than a taxi (€25+).
When is the best time to visit Agualva?
June, July, September: June and September offer warm days and lower rainfall than midsummer; July is reliably sunny and dry for a guaranteed beach and outdoor trip.
Top Attractions in Agualva
💡 Visit around sunset when the light hits the stone arches. Bring a camera for the contrast with the modern buildings behind.
💡 Ask the caretaker to see the crypt—it's rarely open, but he'll let you in for a small donation (€1).
💡 The café near the main gate sells cheap coffee (€0.80). Grab a cup and sit by the fountain.
💡 The walk up is tough in summer. Go early morning or late afternoon. Wear trainers, not sandals.
💡 The best time to go is Wednesday morning when they run the wheel. Call ahead—it's often closed for private events.