There are plenty of vacation homes to rent in the area, but this mansion in the former civil parish town of Vale Formoso, on the outskirts of the Natural Park and mountain range of Serra da Estrela, is one of our favorites—a cream-colored villa with a terracotta-tiled roof, rugged interiors, and multiple outdoor areas. In the living room, a giant brick fireplace takes center stage, surrounded by stone walls, roughly hewn wooden tables, and vintage Portuguese ornaments. The kitchen is more modern, with marble flooring, pendant lights, and a sleek dining area, while a marble staircase with a glass balcony leads to the bedrooms upstairs, all draped in cozy fabrics in soft hues, with traditional tiled bathrooms and views of the sea. Outside, there are plenty of shady corners with tables and chairs for alfresco meals or evening drinks, plus a ginormous pool surrounded by thick greenery, gnarled olive trees, and lots of sunbeds. (Note, there is a seven-night minimum here.)
Sleeps: 10
