Casa da Vargem

Minimalist Styling and Island Views

A plot of two separate vacation homes in the sunniest spot on the island of Madeira, these villas were architect designed expressly for vacationing. Whitewashed, sun drenched and tropical, the geometric designs offer modern minimalism and urban styling, although they are located in a peaceful island haven surrounded by a lush tropical garden full of banana trees and flowering shrubs. 

The contemporary, clean-lined homes are vivid white, with ultra-crisp and clean lined interiors. One home is suited for four guests, the other for two, and they share a delicious, turquoise infinity pool and views out onto the maze of local plantations and the rugged coast in the distance.

Occupying an oceanfront valley on the island of Madeira, this vacation home complex is comprised of two separate units—a two-bedroom villa and a one-bedroom home—in the village of Ponto do Sol. The town was named for its location, known to be the sunniest point on Madeira. The region surrounding the homes is peaceful and calm, known for its small, picturesque banana plantations and simple single-family homes. Formerly a two-unit agricultural storage, Casas do Vargem have been beautifully updated by architects who specialize in the design of holiday homes.

Made up of two semi-detached houses, each geometric and vivid white against their rural backdrop, the houses have a distinctively tropical feel with their bright, rectilinear volumes, turquoise pool, private outdoor hot tubs, and green terraced gardens with views out to sea. The overall aesthetic at both units is modern minimalism. Wood floors, exposed stone accents, and traditional traeli, or small pebbled terraces add some local architectural flavor.

Inside both villas, each built on multiple levels to meet the location’s incline, light wood built-ins create sleek seating and lounging locations, and the cabinetry and small banks of stairs are constructed of the same wood for cohesiveness. Indoor planters and big double windows add to the seaside, tropical look. 

A natural color palette keeps both villas’ interiors pure and simple. One villa sleeps four in two queen bedrooms with en-suite baths. The smaller home, a garden studio connected by a stepping-stone-styled walkway, is ideal for couples, and has immediate access to an upper-level terrace with views out over the red tiled roofs and ocean. This villa for rent in Madeira can be rented as two separate units, or together, to fit up to six guests.

AROUND

Punto do Sol is so named because it’s Madeira Island’s sunniest spot. This villa for rent in Madeira is slightly outside of the village and private, but accessible to services with a quick, 5-minute drive. There are multiple options for fine and casual dining and tasting the island’s fortified wine. 

Rural and picturesque, the landscape is dotted with red tile roofed homes and crisscrossed by agricultural plots. Madeira’s coast is rugged and often steep, with black sand and pebble beaches and picturesque coastal roads and inlets. Levadas, or traditional irrigation channels, are part of the island’s rich agricultural history, and now offer unique paths for short hikes. 

A pinpoint in the Atlantic, Madeira offers dozens of natural, outdoorsy pursuits: biking, canyoning, trail running, hiking, boating of course, and even paragliding. Day trips to the UNESCO World Heritage Laurissilva Forest and the many surrounding waterfalls are also must dos.

LOCATION

Ponto do Sol, Madeira Island, Portugal. Nearest airport: Madeira.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: August and September