Ampersand Residence

An Artistic Urban Sanctuary

This 500-square-meter townhouse serves as a bridge between Portimão's maritime heritage and contemporary creative life. The architecture balances technical precision with a playful, riad-style interior courtyard, where a 11-meter private pool is framed by lush cacti and vibrant calcarenite-inspired hues. The residence offers a seamless infrastructure for large groups, featuring a dedicated art studio, professional-grade kitchens, and a rooftop lounge designed for long, coastal evenings.

Once a shipyard, as evidenced by the high ceilings and hooks in the ceiling where boats used to hang, the property has been reimagined as a gallery you can live in. The owners have infused every corner with curated art pieces, blending industrial heritage with modern whimsy. The ground floor houses an elegant art studio and a chef-standard kitchen equipped with high-end appliances and an espresso station. Upstairs, a dedicated television room and secondary kitchen offer space for multi-generational guests.

The courtyard features a 2.5x11-meter pool, an outdoor shower, and shaded dining areas. Outdoor cooking facilities facilitate effortless entertaining. Above, the expansive roof terrace serves as a private sky-lounge that overlooks the terracotta rooftops of Portimão's historic center.

What we love

We love how the modest city façade hides such a creative, gallery-like interior that feels like a personal art collection you can actually live in. The mix of bold artwork and those surprisingly huge, open rooms makes the whole place feel more like a private sanctuary than a standard rental. A team favorite is definitely the courtyard pool, the coolest spot to cool off after grabbing a coffee on the local streets.

Layout

This vacation home for rent in Portimão sleeps up to 12 guests in six bedrooms, with three full bathrooms plus an additional separate toilet. The ground floor offers a suite with two double beds and en-suite access. The upper floor contains five bedrooms: four with double beds and one with two twin beds. The layout is interconnected by both internal and external staircases, leading to expansive living areas and a 500-square-meter footprint that affords significant privacy.

Experiences

Guests can book private boat excursions from the nearby harbor to the caves of Benagil or the village of Ferragudo. Professional-grade art supplies are available for creative workshops within the studio.

Good to know

While the historic street is walkable, free street parking is available nearby. The multi-level layout includes several staircases.

Amenities

Private pool, rooftop terrace, outdoor kitchen, art studio, Sonos sound system, mood lighting, air conditioning, induction cooker, espresso machine, dishwasher, washing machine, beach towels, high chair, baby cot, wifi

Around

The residence is situated in the historic center of Portimão, a five-minute walk from the riverside promenade and the Museu de Portimão, housed in a former sardine factory. The iconic Praia da Rocha beach is a 15-minute walk or short drive away. Across the river lies the picturesque fishing village of Ferragudo, accessible via a local water taxi. For nature enthusiasts, the Alvor boardwalk is six kilometers away, offering five kilometers of wooden paths through protected dunes. The area is rich in culinary history, with traditional sardine grill houses and modern cafes within immediate walking distance.