Recently restored and architecturally alive, this former fisherman’s home now possesses a distinctly mid-century modern vibe and offers a sleek space to spread out and relax or work, only meters from the beachfront with its historic harbor. Comfortable, period-inspired furnishings dress up interior spaces, as do creative wood accents, chevron parquet floors, and the mod, built-in cabinets. This home’s exterior wood detailing really sets it apart, another nod to mid-century styling, cladding the walls around the outdoor dining deck.

A recently updated former fisherman’s home, this house, walking distance from the beach, feels decidedly mid-century modern with its generous interior use of golden wood, its rectilinear volumes, and its unique, vertically louvered wooden exterior wall. The home’s modest street-front façade doesn’t reveal the easygoing style and convenience that awaits behind the door.

Inside, a bright wall of windowed doors is the backdrop to the home’s cheery social areas and divides the open-plan communal space, with its built-in kitchen, from the outdoor dining patio. The living room is comfy and well-furnished with mid-century inspired chairs and a chaise-like couch, with plants to soak up the ample sunlight, and a wood-burning stove tucked up against a concrete brick wall (also a cool, mid-century mod look). 

A dining area lies adjacent to the stove. Five bedroom suites continue the clean-lined design theme, with simple double beds, side tables and sconces atop chevron wood floors. Four bedrooms fill the home’s upper story, and one is located downstairs. In addition to the dining patio, there is a terrace attached to one of the bedrooms.

Located south of Porto in an area that has become a favorite of digital nomads, this vacation home for rent in Portugal sits on an original street in a historically classified neighborhood. The area once buzzed with fishermen, fishmongers, and maritime merchants and now offers bright, youthful homes within walking distance of the wide golden beach and its easygoing restaurants, cafes, and surf shacks.

AROUND

This vacation home for rent in Portugal is located in Arcozelo. It's a quick commuter train ride from Porto and located south of the city along a wide expanse of sandy coast that has long been a favorite destination of writers, artists and religious pilgrims. Its historic enclosed harbor is unique to the area, and fishermen’s boats still fill the area and offer a daily catch. Some of the colorful boats moor on the beach, and there are multiple monuments celebrating the area’s maritime history. 

More than a dozen Blue Flag beaches, chosen for their accessibility, cleanliness and sustainability are located in and around Arcozelo, and the climate is temperate and the water cool for surfing, swimming, boating and fishing. Several historic chapels dot the small city, and the town was inspiration for 19th-century writers and artists who summered in the area. Today, it’s a favorite spot for digital nomads though also a long-established local fishing community, with a fleet that still operates today using the same techniques passed down for generations.

LOCATION

Acozelo, Porto, Portugal. Nearest airport: Porto (40 mins).

BEST TIME TO VISIT: June to September