A serene retreat on five wooded hectares north of the Costa Brava near the enchanting medieval waterway city of Girona, this sophisticated country perch offers unrivaled refinement, unassuming luxury, and an unusual eye for gorgeous interior décor details, plus a luxuriously landscaped park-like garden. It’s the kind of rustic chic place we love—uncontrived, effortlessly elegant, and naturally-inspired.

Completely unassuming and refreshingly natural, this villa for rent in Spain is at once polished and easygoing, a genteel place that embodies the very best of the “rustic chic” style movement.

Artful and elegant, the estate features three houses and a studio set in an elegant garden, with a saltwater pool, wisteria-laden pergola, and peaceful, inviting interiors made extra cozy and stylish by smooth stucco walls, well-patinaed wooden doors, one-of-a-kind wicker ceilings, and plenty of textured, natural fiber décor. Interesting art fills walls and shelves, a softly faded color palette invites relaxation, and cypress-lined pathways and trim hedgerows surround the turquoise swimming pool.

The estate is made up of a trio of structures, the main house, pool house, and guest house. Contemporary, metal French doors open from the main house out to the garden and beds dotted with cacti, giving the dominant, two-bedroom space a distinctively modern appeal. Yet all of the structure’s hard lines and sharp edges are softened indoors by a soft coat of matte stucco in a gentle shade of ecru, country-style wood floors, beautifully aged wooden doors, and a panoply of textural linens, rugs, and pillows. A classic hearth makes up the centerpiece of one of the home’s two living areas, and spacious bathrooms equipped with giant mirrors and deep soaking tubs add to the barefoot elegance.

The neighboring two-bedroom pool house expands the home’s sleeping spaces and offers an open-plan kitchenette and dining area with a kiva-styled fireplace and soft, desert-sand stucco on the walls. The standout features here are the artisanal wicker ceilings, laid by local craftsmen. With an overall décor palette inspired by Moroccan desert homes, the space’s living area features sizeable wooden doors and built-in sofas lined with cushions.

The charming guest house is the estate’s third zone, a more intimate-feeling, whitewashed, two-bedroom retreat filled with natural light and decorated breezily in wood, rattan and cane. A kiva fireplace anchors the compact, open-concept living, dining, and galley kitchen, all of it topped by wicker ceilings. The bedrooms here are minimal and serene, whitewashed and brighter than the others throughout the home, set with neutral linens and sharing a simple, minimal bath with a shower.

AROUND

Located about 40 minutes’ drive north of the city of Girona and an hour and half from buzzing Barcelona, this villa for rent in Spain fills a rural landscape of hills and valleys, some covered by olive groves and vineyards, others wooded and reminiscent of the nearby Pyrenees mountains. The closest village is Bascará, a small community with all necessary services, such as a supermarket, pharmacy, bakery and a handful of local cafes and taverns. 

The Mas itself offers ample space for walks and bicycle rides and features on-site recreation such as a weight room, foosball and pingpong tables, bikes, and the large lap pool and outdoor shower. An organic vegetable garden is open to guests as is the chicken coop, and hiking is possible immediately outside the estate’s gate into the surrounding countryside. 

Kite and wind surfers will love the nearby beach of Sant Pere Pescador, while families will prefer Sant d’Empuries’ sweet waterfront. A great base for exploring the region’s iconic coast, the turquoise waters of Roses and the beaches of the Cap de Creus peninsula, including the whitewashed bay city of Cadaqués, are accessible easily by car, as are the much-loved Catalonian waterfront regions of Aiguablava, Begur and Pals. The town of Figueres, birthplace of artist Salvador Dalí and site of his much-celebrated Dalí Theater-Museum showcasing the world’s largest collection of the artist’s works, is located about 20 minutes away from the home.

LOCATION

Empordà, Catalunya, Spain. Nearest airports: Girona, Barcelona

BEST TIME TO VISIT: April to November