A series of rectilinear structures and adjacent patios stands in geometric contrast to its pastoral surroundings, creating a contemporary outpost within a thickly wooded private acreage north of Porto. This sleek vacation home might be in the country, but it offers walls of glass, a lap pool off the library, and a gallery-quality entry behind which ultra-modern furnishings and mid-century modern classics combine to create a sophisticated, urban-inspired oasis.

Adjoining rectangles make up the living quarters of this villa for rent in Portugal, a sophisticated urban-feeling space tucked into a country landscape. Bright white accent walls stretch outward from the home’s geometric volumes, creating privacy boundaries that delineate the front lawn and back patio terrace with its alfresco dining area and lap pool. This getaway’s overall look is modular and modern, with elegant contemporary styling set on two wooded acres within Portugal’s pastoral countryside, less than an hour from bustling medieval Porto.

Inside the larger living module, back walls of floor-to-ceiling glass give the space its decidedly modern allure. The room’s operable double-sized glass doors pivot outward to the back terrace, rolling lawn and pool and the back yard is protected on two sides by whitewashed privacy walls. The bright, spacious common room holds a large library, a contemporary, hearth-less firebox, clean lined chrome, glass and leather mid-century and modern furnishings, and sleek polished concrete floors. 

Red is the dominant accent color, found in a fire-engine-hued support pillar in the living room, as well as in artworks, décor accents and rugs. The kitchen, practically indistinguishable within the open concept living room, presents another modular feature of the home. Built-in and ultra-sleek, the cooktop, sink and counterspace can be closed off via a trio of innovative folding, partition doors hung between it and the open-plan dining space.

The home’s smaller cube contains its sleeping quarters, three bedrooms and bathrooms, one bedroom with a soaking tub at the foot of the king-sized bed. The bedrooms are furnished simply in keeping with the modern vibe, minimally decorated with contemporary art pieces and area rugs set atop polished concrete floors. Baths with shower stalls are constructed of brut concrete, and outfitted with rain shower heads and wide, above-the-counter sinks.

Outside, a long, lean lap pool stretches from the living room windows outward. A whitewashed privacy wall separates the pool and back terrace from the home’s front lawn area, and a gently sloping hillside of grass extends into the lot’s wooded area where a creek burbles, and dense shrubs and trees give the home its country getaway feeling.

AROUND

Located in Briteiros, a village within the mountainous Ave River valley, this villa for rent in Portugal stands in modern contrast to the town’s archeological site known as Citania de Briteiros, formerly a community of about 1,000 ancient Celtic people called Castros, who occupied the area between 200 BC and 300 AD. Today, visits to the archeological site include exploration of stone ruins and fortifications, and discovery of this little-known culture. 

Nearby Braga is a small city regarded as Portugal’s religious heart, site of the country’s first cathedral and numerous churches as well as Gothic and Baroque architecture, grand plazas and a vibrant university community. Also easily accessible is the city of Guimaraes, known to be Portugal’s birthplace as the city where the country’s first king was born. The walled city is a World Heritage Site and features narrow medieval streets lined with granite balconies, arching passageways and noble palaces and mansions. 

Porto, with its lively tasting rooms and Port houses is a quick 45-minute drive from the home through green mountains and simple country roads with their small agricultural communities. All services as well as cafes, restaurants, and wine-tasting rooms are available in and around both Braga and Guimaraes.

LOCATION

Guimaraes, Braga, Portugal. Nearest airport: Porto (45 minutes).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: May to October