Casa Joana

A Ruined Stable Gloriously Reborn

Hidden behind a traditional facade that's tucked into a quiet street in Silves, this former stable has been brought back to life as a gleaming white, tiered contemporary home. The transformation was the work of architect Joana Dalmau Pinto from one of our favorite agencies, studioarte. And the home is named in her honor.

Open the door from the street outside, and a private world is revealed, a gorgeous, airy space that feels like it's open to the elements. We love the soaring, double-height ceiling in the living room, the polished concrete floors, and the sliding windows that open the house up to its two ground-floor terraces, one of which features a pretty dipping pool. 

Throughout the space are beautifully handcrafted ceramics by one of the owners and eye-catching abstract paintings by their friend Narouz Moltzer. But perhaps the most dazzling feature of all is the staircase that ascends steeply from the courtyard onto the roof terrace, where you can watch the terracotta rooftops of Silves, complete with nesting storks.

This vacation home for rent in Portugal sleeps six in three en-suite bedrooms, one on the ground floor, and two on the next level up. Eat breakfast on the rear terrace, around the table lined with cobalt blue Portuguese ceramic tiles, and you'll be accompanied by a chorus of birds. 

The open-plan kitchen has everything you'll need for food preparation, including a large American-style fridge, but you can also throw fresh fish on the barbecue that's found on the rear terrace. Cool off in the plunge pool and relax on sun loungers on the front terrace. Alternatively, head up the stairs to the roof lounge. It's the best spot for aperitifs and stork-watching as the sun goes down, and in late 2022 it'll have an outdoor kitchen, complete with mini-bar.

Discover more about the art in Casa Joana in our Stories section here.

AROUND

Casa Joana is located on a quiet street in the town of Silves, which offers a mix of lively cultural activities and easygoing village life, well suited to those wanting a relaxing break. Situated along the Arade river at the foot of the Serra de Monchique Mountains, it's one of the oldest and most historically significant cities of the Algarve. From the ancient Moorish castle near the house and the 12th-century Gothic cathedral to the great cafes and outdoor markets, the village is compact and walkable. In high season, you can often catch intimate live performances in the evenings. The nine-day Feira Medieval, with its concerts and food stalls, takes place at the castle in August.

This is also a great spot from which to explore the coast, which is 15-20 minutes by car. Or switch gears and make the short hop over to Lagos for a vibrant bustling town awash in surfers and great food and nightlife. If you ever wanted to learn to surf, there are some great breaks here. There are also 40 golf courses in the region, half of which are within 30 minutes' drive of this vacation home for rent in Portugal.

LOCATION

Silves, Algarve, Portugal. Nearest airport: Faro (45 mins). 

BEST TIME TO VISIT: The house is well suited for all seasons.