Unusual vacations in Portugal: 12 addresses to remember

May 15, 2020

Have you always dreamed of staying in an unusual accommodation? Imagine sleeping in a bus, a train station, a wine barrel, a windmill… Well, it does exist! Today, in this article, I’d like to take you on a tour of these unusual places for an unusual vacation in Portugal. Experiences that are sure to create indelible travel memories. If you’re a nature lover dreaming of an unusual experience, I’m sure one or more of these accommodations will pique your curiosity.

Sleeping in a barrel in the middle of the Douro vineyards

If you love nature and wine tourism, I’ve got just the place for you! Imagine falling asleep in a wine barrel in the middle of the vineyards of the famous Douro wine region. Well … I can see you coming … the barrel is empty, you won’t be infused with wine in your bed, but the experience is still “crazy”!

You’ll be able to enjoy this crazy experience at the famous Quinta da Pacheca. Renowned for its excellent wine and magnificent vineyards, the Quinta da Pacheca offers you the unusual experience of sleeping in one of its 10 giant wine barrels.

Here’s what you need to know:

A little extra: wine tastings are available at Quinta da Pacheca, so why not take advantage! Also, the magnificent Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios is nearby, and believe me, it would be a shame not to discover it!
Prices: from €200 per night.
Number of guests: up to 2 people.
Linkhere to find out more about the Quinta da Pacheca barrels.
Address: Rua do Relógio do Sol, 261, 5100-424 Lamego.

The “Quinta da Pacheca” wine barrels in Lamego.

Sleeping on a bus between Leiria and Fátima

It was one of my childhood dreams to sleep in a bus! This is Ricardo’s curious adventure with his 60s bus. Located in Arrabal, in a rural area between Leiria and Fátima, this retro bus offers an immersive experience in nature. The bus was in operation in the 60s, then transformed into a bar, and is now converted into comfortable accommodation. A place for an unusual vacation in Portugal that will delight young and old alike.

What you need to know

A little extra: a swimming pool is available for bus guests to cool off in summer.
Price: from €105 per night.
Number of guests: up to 4 people.
Clickhere to find out more about the retro bus.
Address: Rua da padaria nº7, 2420-021 Arrabal, Leiria.

The retro bus near Leiria.

Sleeping in a “box” in the heart of nature near Porto

On a farm in Valongo, 15km from Porto, spend a night in the heart of nature in the Natura Box. The Natura Box is based on an ecological concept of sustainability, non-waste and reuse of materials. In line with these principles, the “box” is made from large glass panes and metal plates salvaged from South Korean boats. An atypical box in the middle of nature for a unique experience!

What you need to know:

A little extra: Suzão station, 3 minutes from the accommodation, has direct trains to the center of Porto, perfect for discovering Porto and taking a nature break for one or more nights.
Prices: from €50 per night.
Number of guests: up to 2 adults and 1 baby.
Link here to find out more about Natura Box
Address: Suzão, Valongo.

The Natura Box near Porto.

Sleeping under a dome in Madeira

Soul Glamping is located in Prazeres on Madeira Island and opened in March 2018. Soul Glamping offer to sleep in one of its 5 domes overlooking the ocean. They are very spacious and bathed in natural light thanks to 180-degree bay windows that offer extraordinary views of the ocean, mountains, sunrises and sunsets without even moving from your bed.

All you need to know

Little plus: private balcony with jacuzzi facing the ocean, pretty cool … isn’t it?
Price: from 120€ per night.
Number of guests: up to 2 adults and 2 children.
Link here to find out more about Soul Glamping
Address: Caminho do Jardim Pelado, 9370-630 Estreito da Calheta.

The Soul Glamping dome in Madeira.

Sleeping under a dome in Alentejo

Reserva Alecrim is located in Santiago do Cacém(130km south of Lisbon) and offers different types of accommodation, including incredible domes. Each dome offers a large terrace overlooking the Alentejo coast. You’ll be surrounded by olive groves and cork oaks, and can discover hiking and biking trails in the mountains or by the sea. Also nearby, you’ll find incredible cliffs for paragliding, vast deserted beaches and the lakes of the Santo André and Melides reserves, icons of the region.

What you need to know:

A little extra: two magnificent swimming pools are available to tenants of the domes: an infinity pool overlooking the ocean, and a natural pool where you can bathe amid the water lilies.
Prices: from €200 per night.
Number of guests: up to 4 people.
Link here to find out more about Reserva Alecrim.
Address: Alentejo Litoral, Santiago do Cacém.

The “Reserva Alecrim” dome in Alentejo.

Sleeping in a beach hut

Who hasn’t dreamed of playing “Robinson Crusoe”? It’s possible with this tastefully furnished beach hut on the Costa da Caparica coast, just a few kilometers from Lisbon. Cabana Azul is a typical beach hut, with large windows offering a privileged view of the ocean, and the sound of the ocean lulling you to sleep (if that’s not the ultimate luxury!). Last but not least, you can easily discover Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, just twenty minutes away by car.

What you need to know:

A little extra: traditional fishing boats regularly bring their nets back to the beach not far from the hut, giving you a great local experience.
Price: from €300 per night.
Number of guests: up to 8 people.
Linkhere to find out more about Cabana Azul.
Address: Costa da Caparica beach.

Cabana Azul on the Costa da Caparica.

Sleeping in a yurt in the Azores

Located in the heart of a plantation on the island of Faial, Azul Singular offers two comfortable yurts. These tents, inspired by the ancient shelters used by Central Asian nomads, are known for their circular shape. Built with a large skylight in the center, the yurts offer a view of the stars. So romantic, isn’t it? Each yurt has its own private garden and a hammock for that all-important siesta.

What you need to know:

Little extras: breakfast of regional produce delivered in a basket to the yurt door each morning.
Price: from €80 per night.
Number of guests: up to 2 people.
Linkhere to find out more about Azul Singular.
Address: Rua da Granja 61, 9900-361 Horta.

The Azul Singular yurt in the Azores.

Lodging with your feet in the sand, even indoors

Casas Na Areia means “houses in the sand”, and this perfectly expresses the concept of these unusual accommodations, where you can stay both indoors and outdoors with your feet in the white sand.

Located in Comporta(1h from Lisbon), Casas na areia offers 4 fishermen’s cabins tastefully renovated by architect Manuel Aires Mateus in 2013. These wood and thatch cabins with sandy floors blend in perfectly with the long sandy beaches and rice fields that so characterize Comporta.

What you need to know

Little extra: small swimming pool facing the rice fields available to tenants.
Price: from €350 per night.
Number of guests: up to 8 people.
Linkhere to find out more about Casas na areia.
Address: Sítio da Carrasqueira, 7580-613 Comporta.

The house in the sand at “Casas na areia” in Comporta.

Sleep in a windmill

“Meunier tu dors … ton moulin ton moulin va trop vite … Meunier tu dors … ton moulin ton moulin va trop fort….” What could be more unusual than sleeping in a windmill?

Moinho do Marco(Marco’s windmill) is an old windmill dating from 1855, located in Setùbal(40min south of Lisbon). Just a 15-minute drive from the magnificent beaches of the Serra da Arrábida, this mill still retains its original wooden gears and offers breathtaking views.

Here’s what you need to know:

A little extra: views of the ocean and the Sado, which you can admire from the mill’s private terrace as well as from the shared swimming pool accessible to mill tenants.
Price: from €115 per night.
Number of guests: up to 2 people.
Click here to find out more about Moinho do Marco.
Address: Estrada do Forte de Sao Filipe, 2900-300 Setúbal.

The windmill in Setúbal.

Abrigo do moleiro is an emblematic windmill of the town of Péniche and has been classified as a “national monument”. This 1895 mill is called “Abrigo do moleiro”, which means miller’s shelter. It has been tastefully renovated and offers an incredible experience.

What you need to know:

Little plus: located 15 minutes from the pretty walled town ofÓbidos.
Price: from €135 per night.
Number of guests: up to 4 people.
Link here to find out more about Abrigo do Moleiro
Address: Peniche.

The windmill in Peniche.

Glamping in the Algarve

We’re hearing more and more about “glamping”, a contraction of glamour camping. This concept refers to “luxury camping”, and that’s what Casa Tuia in Carvoeiro(Algarve) offers with its tents that look like safari tents. They also offer breathtaking views of the valley and the ocean.

All you need toknow:

A little extra: a communal swimming pool. The sleeping cabin in the tent is sure to delight your little ones! I like it too, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to get in :))))
Price: from 120€ per night.
Number of guests: up to 4 to 6 people.
Linkhere to find out more about Casa Tuia.
Address: Casa Tuia, Poço partido, 8400-557, Carvoeiro – Lagoa.

Casa Tuia’s luxury tent in Carvoeiro.

Sleeping in a train station

Why not try the experience of sleeping in a railway station? That’s what you can do at the former Marvão-Beirã station in Alentejo. This trip is offered by Train Spot, which welcomes you to this historic 19th-century station listed as an Architectural Heritage Site. This station, whose railroad line is no longer in operation (don’t worry, you’ll be in the peace and quiet), has been refurbished and offers several rooms for an atypical experience.

What you need to know:

Little plus: you’ll be just a few kilometers from the Parque Natural da Serra de S. Mamede, the medieval village of Marvão and the Spanish border.
Prices: from €40 per night.
Number of guests: up to 4 people.
Clickhere to find out more about Train Spot.
Address: Estação ferroviária de Beirã/Marvão, Largo da Alfândega,7330-012 Beirã.

The Train Spot station in Marvão.

Sleep in a tepee

A Terra is located in São Teotónio, in the south of the Alentejo and 1h30 by car from Faro airport(Algarve). Nestled in a valley of fruit trees, Aterra offers you an unusual experience, sleeping in a tipi. For one night, become “an Indian in Portugal” 🙂

What you need to know:

A little extra: Zambujeira beach and the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina are less than 15 minutes away by car.
Prices: from €80 per night.
Number of guests: up to 4 people.
Linkhere to find out more about A Terra.
Address: Carvalhal Das Figueiras, Corgo Da Casca, 57077630-635 São Teotoni.

A Terra’s tipi in Alentejo,

Casa Pura Vida is located in Odeceixe on the Vincentina coast, 1h10 by car from Faro airport(Algarve). Casa Pura Vida also offers the chance to sleep in a comfortable tepee with a terrace ideal for watching the sunset.

What you need to know

Little extras: homemade breakfast using organic, regional and seasonal produce.
Price: from €55 per night.
Number of guests: up to 2 people.
Linkhere to find out more about Casa Pura Vida.
Address: Moinho das Canas, 8670 Odeceixe.

The “Casa pura vida” tepee in Aljezur.

In conclusion

I really enjoyed writing this article and sharing with you these incredible accommodations for an unusual vacation in Portugal.

However, I’m curious … tell me … Which of these unusual accommodations appeals to you most?

Personally, I’m very intrigued by the idea of sleeping in a bus, so I think I’ll choose a night on the bus and invite my nephews, because I think the kids will find it a great experience too 🙂

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