Casa Soenga

A Mountain Home in Serene Protected Landscape

This elegant villa for rent in Portugal sits on a hillside in the far north of the country, surrounded in forest, with impressive views across the mountains. 

Interiors have been updated recently in a minimalist style that puts comfort and relaxation front and center. Decor is simple, with warm light and earth tones, natural textiles, granite, wood and glass throughout.

The house sleeps six guests in three comfortable suites. A wooden staircase links the bedrooms with the open-plan living area above. The living, dining and kitchen areas sit under a high ceiling and lead to two terraces with sweeping views of the forests and hills around the house.

The garden spills down the hillside, with a dining terrace on one level and a saltwater swimming pool on another. It's a great space for entertaining, barbecuing, sunbathing by the pool, or relaxing by the stream in the shade of the trees.

The house has three bedrooms: one double suite with bathroom, plus one double and one twin, which share a bathroom. 

AROUND

This villa for rent in Portugal is located in Caniçada, just one hour from Porto by car, and 30 minutes from Braga. The region of Vieira do Minho is well-known for gastronomy and wines, as well as its natural beauty. The nearby Peneda-Gerês National Park is the oldest protected area and only national park in Portugal, and borders with Spain at its northernmost point. There are several hiking trails through its unspoilt forests, a popular waterfall at the old frontier station of Portela do Homem, and a monastery at Pitões das Júnias.

Braga is Portugal’s third largest city, well known for festivals including the elaborate Semana Santa. Its elegant historic center is closed to vehicles, offering a great opportunity to wander its maze of narrow lanes and explore the Baroque architecture and plazas lined with great cafes and shops. 

The UNESCO city of Guimarães is also within easy reach of the property and is similarly beautiful, with a picturesque medieval center, the thousand-year-old castle and the massive 15th-century palace perched opposite the town. Once the capital of Portugal, it was named the European Capital of Culture in 2012.

LOCATION

Caniçada, Vieira do Minho, Braga, Portugal. Nearest airports: Porto (1 hour), Braga (30 mins), Vigo (1 hour 30 mins).

BEST TIME TO VISIT:  Spring to fall