Moorish Townhouse

The Moorish History Of Faro

This lovely vacation home rental in Portugal was once a fisherman's house. Like much of the old town of Olhão, it's Moorish in style, but it was recently given a sleek, contemporary makeover. We particularly love the rooftop terrace, with its lounge chairs and dipping pool - and spectacular views across the rooftops of the old town. 

An elegant white cube with a green shuttered doorway, this Moorish fisherman's house is located on a narrow street in the historical heart of Olhão and combines a traditional exterior with a cool contemporary interior.

We love the high ceilings, tall windows, white walls, polished floors, and the abundant use of wood panels in the kitchen and lining the interior staircase. Decor is simple with fun features like a decorative sea urchin sculpture and rough-hewn wooden footstools. This is a home made for relaxing, with its two outdoor spaces - a dining terrace plus a rooftop garden with lounge chairs, a dipping pool, an outdoor shower, as well as lovely views over the old town. 

The house sleeps four comfortably in two bedrooms (one with en-suite bathroom). In the living area, there are two sofa beds that offer flexibility for different sleeping configurations (or extra space for a small child). There is also a modern open-plan kitchen that opens onto the dining terrace. This is a beautiful vacation home rental in Portugal, perfect for a family or friends sharing. 

Read more in our Stories section here.

OLHAO'S LIFE OF THE SEA

Olhão is the largest fishing port in the Algarve, and has great character. Its buildings are Moorish in style, and there is a beautiful long, paved promenade along the waterfront. 

Two market buildings sit side-by-side nearby, offering fish fresh from the sea, as well as local fruit and vegetables. There are also plenty of pavement cafes, perfect for hanging out and watching the marina.

The town is surrounded by ilhas, or sand-split island beaches (like Ilha da Culatra and Ilha da Armona) reached by ferry, and a marshy lagoon, the Reserva Natural da Ria Formosa, a conservation area for birds and marine life.

LOCATION

Olhão, Faro, Algarve, Portugal. Nearest airport: Faro (10 mins).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Peak period is summer, but the property is great year-round.