Bustling city streets, sprawling vineyards, whitewashed villages, vast rivers, glistening coastlines – Portugal is a land of contrasts, a medley of landscapes and terrains. Finding the right place to explore it all from is the trick; somewhere that welcomes you home but inspires you to explore. These are the best Airbnbs from which to base yourself in Portugal, from a smart Lisbon apartment to a converted farmhouse in the Douro Valley.

  • Converted farmhouse, Douro Valley
    CONVERTED FARMHOUSE, DOURO VALLEYThis loft farmhouse sits in the heart of the Douro Valley, a country escape deep in the hills of the UNESCO world heritage site. On the ground floor, there’s an open-plan living area with worn, rustic cabinets housing piles of well-thumbed books and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the valley. The olive-green-timber exterior distinctly divides the lower floor and loft from the outside, but inside there’s a unified aesthetic of whitewashed walls hung with quirky artwork and brightly patterned rugs on wooden floors. Wake up for breakfast with a view before spending the day lazing by the pool. The hosts offer several extra services – ask to arrange a boat trip along the Douro River, book a massage with a local therapist, or order farm room service for homemade lunch or dinner delivered to the house.Sleeps: 14
    Price: £345 a night (minimum two nights)
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
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  • Terracotta urban studio, Porto
    TERRACOTTA URBAN STUDIO, PORTOFrom the street, this stone house looks like most of the other buildings lining the streets of Porto. But behind the navy-blue door lie five studio apartments sharing a tranquil outdoor deck, with high terracotta-painted walls hiding a square-shaped pool from neighbours, with comfortable sunbeds and an olive tree. Each studio comes with a double bed, bathroom (with walk-in shower), dining and work area and fully equipped kitchen, and guests share a living-room space creaking with antiques, from well-worn leather sofas and vintage clocks to piles of books and vintage luggage used as tables.Sleeps: two per studio
    Price: £99 a night (minimum two nights)
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
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  • Historic roundhouse, Setúbal
    HISTORIC ROUNDHOUSE, SETÚBALSometimes a holiday villa just won’t do the trick. If you’re looking for something a bit more out of the ordinary, book into this renovated windmill in the outskirts of Setúbal. Explore the small towns of Casal das Figueiras, Grelhal and Troino or hike around Arrábida natural park, before returning to your remote windmill hideout. Enter through giant double gates to access the property, in which eclectic decor reveals a mishmash of architectural influences. Stone staircases wind around the different floors, with vintage lamps and wooden beams converging with floral-patterned armchairs, multicoloured rugs and curtains, and structural remnants of the original building – the bed is set underneath a giant wooden mill wheel, and shelves have been worked into ancient pillars to hold books, lamps and other antique paraphernalia. Dine on the top-floor terrace, with views across the sea.Sleeps: three
    Price: £108 a night
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
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  • Peaceful townhouse, Lagos
    PEACEFUL TOWNHOUSE, LAGOSThis property emanates tranquillity from all corners with a cream-toned interior that blends light wooden furnishings, linen fabrics, rattan fixtures and hanging plants. The rustic kitchen has a homely feel, with a traditional Portuguese-tiled splashback, blue-and-white painted china and fully stocked shelves hidden behind chequered curtains, while bedrooms carpeted with thick, soft rugs have coffee-coloured bedding and are adorned with dreamlike bird sculptures. But the best part of this peaceful escape is the patio. The door from the kitchen opens up to a hidden suntrap with striped sun loungers, tiled flagstone floors, wooden tables for alfresco dining, an outdoor rain shower and a private pool for cooling down after a day spent exploring the city.Sleeps: four
    Price: £280 a night (minimum two nights)
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
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  • Palatial villa, Vale Formoso, near Faro
    PALATIAL VILLA, VALE FORMOSO, NEAR FAROThere are plenty of holiday homes to rent in the area, but this mansion in the former civil parish town of Vale Formoso, on the outskirts of the Natural Park and mountain range of Serra da Estrela, is our favourite – a cream-coloured villa with a terracotta-tiled roof, rugged interiors and multiple outdoor areas. In the living room, a giant brick fireplace takes centre stage, surrounded by stone walls, roughly hewn wooden tables and vintage Portuguese ornaments. The kitchen is more modern, with marble flooring, pendant lights and a sleek dining area, while a marble staircase with a glass balcony leads to the bedrooms upstairs, all draped in cosy fabrics in soft hues, with traditional tiled bathrooms and views of the sea. Outside there are plenty of shady corners with tables and chairs for alfresco meals or evening drinks, plus a ginormous pool surrounded by thick greenery, gnarled olive trees and lots of sunbeds.Sleeps: 10
    Price: £959 a night (minimum seven nights)
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
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  • Remote riad, Budens, near Faro
    REMOTE RIAD, BUDENS, NEAR FAROA Moroccan-style riad rising up between typical Portuguese houses, this grand Airbnb is an excellent option for an alternative stay outside Faro. Rough wooden beams and red-brick archways contrast with crisp white walls and delicately carved furniture in the living areas, while splashes of bright colours and carefully designed mosaic tiling in the bathroom and bedrooms show Portuguese influences. Spend days exploring the small beach town of Budens before returning to the villa for an afternoon relaxing by the jagged-edged polygon pool, reading and sipping on coffee on the outdoor wicker chairs or taking a snooze in the lemon-coloured bedroom.Sleeps: four
    Price: £133 a night
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
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  • Riverview windmill, Almada
    RIVERVIEW WINDMILL, ALMADAThe perfect spot for those looking for a countryside escape within easy reach of the city. Just across from Lisbon on the banks of the Tagus, this historic windmill has been converted into a unique getaway. The dome-roofed structure has a cosy, wrapped-up feel, with a snug living area on the top floor and a window looking out over the river and towards the capital. Downstairs, rustic wooden ceilings and stone skirting blend with minimal design and pared-back tones. If you can’t get enough of the view, head outside to discover a treehouse hidden amid branches and leaves, great for a sunset supper or lazy breakfast soaking up the surroundings. During the summer months, request a small swimming pool, explore the beaches, feast on pastéis de nata or go for a cycle through the city.Sleeps: four
    Price: from £77 a night
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
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  • Seaside retreat, Lisbon
    SEASIDE RETREAT, LISBONSet inside a vast villa, this charming house has everything you need for a soothing retreat between towering mountains and sprawling sea. Interiors are laidback and minimal, using lots of neutral shades, lamp lighting and light wooden details. The bathrooms are sleek with grey marble walls, double sinks and tiling, while the kitchen has modern appliances and an open-plan dining-room layout. But the real selling point is the location – step outside to discover a pristine pool looking out to the ocean with plenty of sunbeds to go around plus a manicured garden, barbecue and views of the Sintra Mountains. The space is also available for exclusive rental – just get in touch with the host for information on rates.Sleeps: four
    Price: from £86 a night (minimum two to five nights)
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
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  • Retro campervan, Leiria
    RETRO CAMPERVAN, LEIRIALooking for the airiness of an apartment with a more remote and relaxed vibe? This retro campervan is the best of both worlds. Inside a renovated double-decker bus lie two floors with a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, bathroom, double bedroom and upstairs living room that can be made up into another bedroom. Opening out onto a deck, the bus comes with a private pool, barbecue and shaded seating, plus a hammock and sunbeds on which you can while away the hours. Get into the Portuguese hippie spirit in this secluded spot or head to the nearby beaches about a 40-minute drive away.Sleeps: four
    Price: from £91 a night (minimum two nights)
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
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  • Rooftop terrace apartment, Lisbon
    ROOFTOP TERRACE APARTMENT, LISBONThis colourful apartment is the ultimate city-break base. The monochrome interiors, decorated in a range of greens from darker olive tones in the bedroom to mint in the living area, are offset by a large grey sofa, black-and-white rug and plenty of artwork on the walls. The surprising exception to the rule is the second bedroom – a burst of crimson inspired by the deep colours of Portuguese red wines. Loll in the open-plan living space or kick back on the terrace, taking in views across Lisbon’s rooftops and aqueduct. Plus, it’s close to Rato station and the Tram 24 stop, perfectly placed to explore the city.Sleeps: four
    Price: from £73 a night (minimum three nights)
    Website: airbnb.co.uk
    BOOK NOW

Source: cntraveller.com