Gardener's Cottage (Quinta da Granja)

Restored Portuguese Poolside Cottage

This vacation home rental in Portugal is a destination in itself. Close to the beautiful historical university town of Coimbra, it's also conveniently located in between Porto and Lisbon. But the real appeal is its setting. This restored 400-year-old cottage is surrounded in expansive gardens, which have been tended for decades and featured in Christopher Woods' book Gardenlust, a survey of the world's best gardens.

Once you've arrived, there's no need to leave. You can spend days by the pool, lounge in a hammock with a good book, stroll through the woodlands, and pick fruit and vegetables from the garden beds and 18 different kinds of fruit trees.

The cottage, with its vaulted wood-beam ceiling, has been refurbished in the style of a New York loft, with a large open-plan bedroom and lounge. Patio doors open onto the pool area.

This is a great home for one or two, with enough space for two additional small children. However, the cottage is adjacent to a larger house that is also available for rent (here). They can be rented together or separately, but either way, the grounds and pool are yours.

This restored cottage is set on nine acres of land and surrounded by forests. Hand-carved wooden steps connect the open-plan living area with the modern, paved kitchen and dining area (complete with a decorative bicycle on its wall). There's a wet-room shower, crafted from slate by local artisans. 

The outside space is made up of a walled barbecue terrace directly outside of the kitchen, a large dining space sheltered by vines, with space for six. And, of course, direct access to the lovely pool.

The cottage's owners invite guests to soak up the sun poolside, take a book from the library and climb into a hammock, pluck fruit from the trees, and pick vegetables from the garden beds. Then, as the night closes in, watch shooting stars.

A lovely vacation home rental in Portugal which sleeps up to four guests.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Wifi, heating, washer, dryer, indoor fireplace, TV, and hairdryer. There is free parking, and breakfast is provided.

AROUND

If you decide to leave the grounds, there's plenty do and see in the surrounding region. The nearest town Miranda do Corvo is only 3km or five minutes' drive, and has plenty of amenities: a market, a bank, shops, street cafes, restaurants, a pharmacy and a hairdresser.

A little farther afield (25 mins by car) is the city of Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities and host to a variety of festivals throughout the year. Other places worth day trips include the  ancient Roman ruins at Conimbriga, Condeixa Old Roman Town, Penela Medieval castle, the famous beach resort Figueira da Foz, and the iconic old town of Óbidos.

Activities include windsurfing at Nazaré beach, horse riding at Miranda Do Corvo, swimming and canoeing at local river beaches, boat trips along the Mondego River, and hiking in the stunning Serra Lousã mountains.

For golf lovers there are two notable courses: Golf Montebelo with its  great views and, closer to home Quintadas Lagrimas.

LOCATION

Lobazes, Coimbra, Portugal. Nearest airports: Porto, Lisbon.

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round