Without doubt we thought this one of the loveliest and most striking villas in the Algarve – a fusion of ancient farmhouse and outbuildings with a contemporary cubist wing, topped by multiple terraces with verdant roof gardens (one even has an olive tree growing in it!) and a gloriously sunny south-facing pool. Interiors are minimalist, light and very easy on the eye, the whole with a monastic Moorish vibe – possibly a bit too edgy for families with toddlers, but ideal for us with older kids, and a dream for design buffs. The whole property is buried among citrus and almond groves on the edge of the scattered village of Estiramantens, in striking distance of two of the Algarve's prettiest towns: bustling, river-fronted Tavira and fish-tastic Olhao. From there, it's a short hop by boat to the sandy island beaches of the Ria Formosa National Park.
So you'll need a car, but the villa is so spell-binding we found it hard to venture out at times! The original farm building is now a stylish yet comfy living room with wood burner, slouchy cream sofas and low chairs around a fibre-glass coffee table, and a white-washed thatched roof. The inner patio, once the barn, has an old bread oven (great for cooking pizzas), while the former stables have been transformed into an airy dining room with a glass-walled wine cellar. Finally, the four bedrooms – each of which can be kingsize or twin-bedded – are housed in a purpose-built lower level, all monastic calm for blissful sleep yet achingly chic. A real find!
Highs
- A perfect retreat for families or groups of friends: cool and calming, with loads of space inside and wonderful dry Mediterranean gardens with rosemary bushes, pomegranate and carob trees to explore
- The excellent concierge who fixed us up with boat trips, and advised on bike hire, guided hikes, restaurant bookings and more
- Just 10km from the coast, and you can glimpse the sea from the upper paddock
- Each bedroom has a private patio with hammock
- The pool is heated, plus there's a log burner (and central heating) in the house, so don't hesitate to come in shoulder season (as we did)
Lows
- It can get booked early – if it's full, try their townhouses
- It's not cheap, but if spread across two families or eight friends it's very fair value indeed
- The nearest shops and restaurants are 5-10 mins away, so you'll need a car
- Obviously, it can get hot in midsummer – but there's A/C indoors
- Weekly rentals only (Saturday-Saturday)
Best time to go
The best months are April/May for spring flowers and warm temperatures, when you can scent orange blossom all around, and September/October for sunshine and warm sea, and for plucking ripe fruit straight from the trees in the villa's garden. July and August can be uncomfortably hot (40C). Winter months are cold at night, and the wind can be chilly, although the sun still shines regularly.
Our top tips
The fish and seafood along this coast are fabulous – best seen in the amazing fish market in Olhao, which is well worth a visit. Don’t miss local specialities like grilled sardines and salted cod, washed down with a glass of crisp vinho verde.
Our guests' ratings...
Based on 1 independent review from i-escape guests
Feedback is only from guests who have booked and stayed through i-escape