Have you always dreamt of staying in an un-usual accommodation ? Like sleeping in a bus, inside a train station or a wine barrel, or a windmill… Well, it exists ! Today, in this blog post, I take you to discover these atypical places for unusual vacations in Portugal.

Experiences, which are sure to create indelible travel memories. If you are a nature lover and you dream of living an atypical experience, I am sure that one or more of these accommodations will arouse your curiosity. Let’s go !

1 : Sleeping in a barrel in the middle of the Douro vineyards

If you love nature and wine tourism, I have the perfect place for you ! Imagine falling asleep in a wine barrel in the middle of the vineyards of the famous Douro wine region. Of course, the barrel is empty, you will not be infused with wine in your bed but the experience remains “crazy” !

This crazy experience is at the famous Quinta da Pacheca. Known for its fine wines and magnificent vineyards, Quinta da Pacheca offers you this unusual experience of sleeping in one of its 10 giant wine barrels. 

What you need to know ?

• Little extra : wine tastings are offered at Quinta da Pacheca, how not to pay a visit ? Also, the magnificent Santuário de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios is nearby and believe me … you need to go ! 
• Price : from 200€ per night.
• Number of guests : up to 2 people.
• Link here to learn more about the Quinta da Pacheca‘s barrels.
• Address : Rua do Relógio do Sol, 261, 5100-424 Lamego.

2 : Sleeping in a bus between Leiria and Fátima

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

What you need to know ?

• Little extra : swimming pool at disposal for the tenants of the bus, just to refresh a little in summer.
• Price : from 110€ per night.
• Number of guests : up to 4 people.
• Link here to know more about the retro bus.
• Address : Rua da padaria nº7, 2420-021 Arrabal, Leiria.

3 : Sleeping in a “box” in the middle of nature near Porto

In a farm in Valongo, 15km from Porto, spend a night in the middle 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 of large windows and metal plates recovered from South Korean boats. An atypical box in the middle of nature for a unique experience !

What you need to know ?

• Little extra : the Suzão train station, 3 minutes away 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.
• Price : from 50€ per night.
• Number of guests : up to 2 adults and 1 baby.
• Link here to learn more about Natura Box
• Address : Suzão train station, Valongo.

4 : Sleeping under a dome in Madeira

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

What you need to know ?

• Little extra : private jacuzzi in front of the ocean, pretty cool … right ?
• Price : from 120€ per night.
• Number of guests : up to 2 adults and 2 children.
• Link here to learn more about Soul Glamping
• Address : Caminho do Jardim Pelado, 9370-630 Estreito da Calheta.

5 : Sleeping under a dome in Alentejo

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

What you need to know ?

• Little extra : two beautiful pools are available to dome tenants : an infinity pool with an ocean view and a natural pool 
• Price : from 200€ per night.
• Number of guests : up to 4 people.
• Link here to learn more about Reserva Alecrim.
• Address : Alentejo Litoral, Santiago do Cacém.

6 : Sleeping on the beach 

Who has never dreamed of playing “Robinson Crusoe” ? It’s possible with this tastefully furnished beach hut on the great coast of Costa da Caparica, a few kilometers from Lisbon. Cabana Azul is a typical beach hut, its large windows offer you a privileged view of the ocean and the sound of the ocean will rock you (if that is not the ultimate luxury!). Finally, you can easily discover Lisbon, the Portuguese capital is located at about twenty minutes by car.

What you need to know ?

• Little extra : regularly, traditional fishing boats bring back their nets on the beach not far from the hut, which allows you to live a nice local experience.
• Price : from 310€ per night.
• Number of guests : up to 8 persons.
• Link here to learn more about Cabana Azul.
• Address : Costa da Caparica Beach.

7 : 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 you a view of the stars. So romantic, isn’t it ?  Each yurt has a private garden and a hammock for the inevitable nap.

What you need to know ?

• Little extra : breakfast of regional products left in a basket at the door of the yurt every morning.
• Price : from 80€ per night.
• Number of guests : up to 2 people.
• Link here to learn more about Azul Singular.
• Address : Rua da Granja 61, 9900-361 Horta.

8 : Lodging with your feet in the sand even indoors

Casas Na Areia means “houses in the sand” and this perfectly translates the concept of these unusual accommodations since you will stay inside and outside with your feet in the white sand.

Located in Comporta (1h from Lisbon), Casas na areia offers 4 fishermen’s huts tastefully renovated by architect Manuel Aires Mateus in 2013. These wood and thatch huts with sandy floors blend perfectly with the backdrop of 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 persons.
• Link here to learn more about Casas na areia.
• Address : Sítio da Carrasqueira, 7580-613 Comporta.

9 : Sleeping in a windmill

What could be more unusual than sleeping in a windmill ?

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

What you need to know ?

• Little extra : views of the ocean and the Sado that you can admire both from the mill’s private terrace and from the shared pool accessible to mill tenants.
• Price : from 115€ per night
• Number of guests : up to 2 persons.
• Link here to learn more about Moinho do Marco.
• Address : Estrada do Forte de Sao Filipe, 2900-300 Setúbal.

10 : Glamping in the Algarve

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

What you need to know ?

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

11 : Sleeping in a train station

What if you tried the experience of sleeping in a train station ? This is what you can do in the old station of Marvão-Beirã in Alentejo. This trip is offered by Train Spot, which welcomes you to this historic station of the 19th century classified as Architectural Heritage. This station whose railroad line is no longer in operation (you’ll be in peace don’t worry) has been rearranged and offers several rooms to live an atypical experience. 

What you need to know ?

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

12 : Sleep in a tepee

A Terra is located in São Teotónio, in the south of the Alentejo and 1.5 hours by car from Faro airport (Algarve). Nestled in a valley of fruit trees, A terra offers you a unique experience by sleeping in a tepee. Become for one night “an Indian in Portugal” ? 

What you need to know ?

• Little extra : the beach of Zambujeira and the “Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina” are less than 15 min away by car.
• Price : from 80€ per night.
• Number of guests : up to 4 people.
• Link here to learn more about A Terra.
• Address : Carvalhal Das Figueiras, Corgo Da Casca, 5707 7630-635 São Teotoni.

Conclusion

It was fun to write this blog post and sharing with you these incredible accommodations for an unusual vacation in Portugal. 

What is the unusual accommodation that give you the most desire ?

For my part, the idea of sleeping in a bus intrigues me a lot so I think I will choose a night in the bus and I will invite my nephews because I think the kids will find this experience very cool too.

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