Like the
pousadas
, the
solares
embody a part of Portugal's heritage, at the crossroads of history and family lines, great traditions of decorative arts and regional specificities.
Their story begins in the early 1980s, when the Portuguese government undertook to support the rehabilitation of heritage and the renovation of properties of old families in the hinterland, to promote the development of tourism.
Almost ten years later, these houses open to travelers take the name of
solares
.
Today there are nearly 130 family homes that allow you to take another look at Portuguese lands, during a trip.
While most of these properties are historically located in the north and center of the country, there are some in all Portuguese regions, as far as Madeira and the Azores.
Today there are three types of
solares
: old houses and mansions, farms and rural estates or more rustic country houses.
The old houses most often date from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The architecture and furniture are in keeping with the taste of the time, revealing family rooms and works of art.
To discover
Figaro stay in the Azores |
11 days |
The jewels of the Atlantic
Trips to Portugal: tailor-made tours, hotels and stays from our partners
Their counterpart in the countryside, farms and estates are large rural properties.
Smaller, the “rustic houses” reveal a simple architecture and a construction made from materials from the region.
The common denominator of these
solares
is Portuguese hospitality, as one is invariably welcomed as a friend of the family by the owners.
It's time for reading, discovering the region, gastronomy with dinners and cooking workshops, tasting the estate's wines or going for walks, on foot or on horseback...
Casa de Sezim, Guimaraes
Since 1996, the Casa de Sezim has been one of the buildings of public interest classified as Portuguese heritage.
Press picture
In the heart of Minho, near Guimarães, the first Portuguese capital, the Casa de Sezim holds a duty of memory.
Archival documents attest that the property was offered in 1376 to its first owner Afonso Martins, ancestor of the current owners, in gratitude for his good services by a close friend of King D. Afonso Henriques.
Since 1996, the Casa de Sezim has been one of the buildings of public interest classified as Portuguese heritage.
Beyond the entrance and the facade, majestic, the wooden ceilings, the frescoes of 19th century wallpapers, where scroll prints describing the old and the new world, the passageway where you can drink the one of the property's wines, facing the gardens... And eight comfortable rooms, near Guimarães, the first capital of Portugal and Braga,
from Gerês National Park and the beaches of the Atlantic coast.
Double room from €125 per night.
Casa de Sezim, R. de Sezim, 4811-909 Guimarães, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 253 523 000.
Read alsoWeekend in Guimarães, five good reasons to visit the Portuguese “cradle of the Nation”
Casa Nobre do Correio Mor, Ponta da Barca
In this elegant 17th century residence, the rooms reveal beautiful ceilings and antique furniture.
Press picture
Set in the historic center of the medieval village of Ponta da Barca, this elegant property dates back to the 17th century.
You can taste the silence of the Minho in one of the ten rooms with stone walls, with a view of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, the valley and the Lima River.
The owner family undertook the restoration of the architectural heritage, and the opening of the solares in 1999. The history of the house is written here from the top of its nine wrought iron balconies into the archives of the library, which the can be consulted, guided by the owners of the premises.
The deluxe rooms reveal beautiful wooden ceilings and antique furniture, and the suite has a balcony opening onto the village.
Outside the walls, we join Braga (30km) for a few visits and good tables.
Double room from €75.
Casa Nobre do Correio Mor, R. Trás do Forno 1, 4980-623 Pte.
da Barca, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 258 931 750.
Read alsoTwo days in Braga, a quiet getaway in “Portuguese Rome”
Casa das Torres de Oliveira, Oliveira
Built in 1740, this property seems to have escaped from a fairy tale.
Press picture
In the Douro, like the miles of hills and terraced vineyards, the 18th century mansions are part of the landscape.
Among them, there is no doubt that the walls of the Casa das Torres de Oliveira would have many stories to tell if they could talk.
Built in 1740 on land given to the ancestors of the family by King Afonso V in the 15th century, this property seems to have escaped from a fairy tale.
From the granite walls to the small chapel, to the gardens and the swimming pool, the view of the vines spreads out to infinity all around the property.
You can also, on request, taste the ports and wines produced on site around a tasting.
Outside the walls, be sure to visit the superb Palacio Mateus and its gardens, contemporary with Torres de Oliveira.
Double room from €110 per night.
Casa das Torres de Oliveira, Mesao Frio, 5040-211 Oliveira, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 254 336 743.
Read alsoIn Portugal, ten charming hotels along the Douro
Casa das Tilias, Seia
A neo-renaissance mansion typical of the Beira region.
Press picture
Very close to the Serra da Estrela, this 19th century neo-renaissance mansion embodies the typical architecture of the Beira region.
Within its walls, one experiences a certain plenitude, in the charm of rooms bathed in sunlight.
Woodwork, sculpted ceilings and period furniture run from room to room up to the superb suite!
The history of the region and its traditions, the best hiking trails in the Serra da Estrela or the surrounding river beaches... Around the excellent breakfast of regional products, the owner of the place does not hesitate to give you tips.
Double room from €90 per night.
Casa das Tilias, R. das Tilias 5, 6270-329 São Romão, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 964 008 585.
Read alsoTravel diary in the heart of the Serra da Estrela, the path of the stars
Palace of Rio Frio, Palmela
The Palacio de Rio Frio was erected at the beginning of the 20th century.
Press picture
In Palmela, the Palacio de Rio Frio was erected at the beginning of the 20th century, on these lands where, a century earlier, Portugal had one of the largest wineries in the country.
It is easy to imagine, while strolling through the row of rooms in the palace, the life of this large family from which the current owner is a direct descendant.
The superb azulejos representing the grape harvest, created by the Portuguese painter Jorge Colaço, are matched by beautiful volumes and perspectives even in the gardens, which call for a stroll in the last light of day.
Close to Lisbon, so far from the hustle and bustle of the city!
Double room from €125 per night.
Palácio de Rio Frio, Herdade de Rio Frio, 2955-014 Palmela, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 21 231 9701.
Quinta da Praia das Fontes, Alcochete
Escape Lisbon, without going too far?
It would be wise to put down your trunks at the Quinta da Praia das Fontes, in Alcochete.
Press picture
Escape Lisbon, without going too far?
On the other bank of the Tagus, it would be wise to put down your trunks at the Quinta da Praia das Fontes, in Alcochete.
Built in the 16th century, this mansion is decorated with sumptuous azulejos in the 17th and 18th centuries, which still proudly adorn the walls today.
A classic, elegant and comfortable setting, a grandiose garden and a view of the Tagus complete this relaxing picture.
On request, horse riding, fishing, bike rides and tennis can be organized from the quinta.
Double room from €80 per night.
Quinta da Praia das Fontes, Largo do Marquês de Soydos, 2890-032 Alcochete, Portugal.
Such.
+351 21 234 0191.
Casa do Floral, Rio Maior
The outbuilding of Casa do Floral opens onto a garden where palm trees and flowers surround a swimming pool in which to cool off.
Press picture
In the hands of the same family for four generations, this “floral house” lives up to its name wonderfully.
A few kilometers from the salt pans of "Marinhas do Sal", it's time here to rest after visiting the historic salt pans of Rio Maior.
The original building is covered with Virginia creeper and the more recent outbuilding opens onto a garden where palm trees and flowers surround a swimming pool in which to cool off.
Pleasant welcome and nicely decorated rooms.
Double room from 80 €.
Casa do Floral, R. da Boavista nº 10, 2040-302 Rio Maior, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 919 561 094.
Casa do Terreiro do Poco, Borba
For the classic Portuguese style, the owners have substituted a decoration that travels from Portugal to the four corners of the world.
Press picture
In the heart of the
Alentejano
village of Borba, this beautiful house dates from the 18th century... And it took until 2020 for it to become a "classified monument of public interest".
If the facade and the volumes are faithful to the architectural principles of the region, inside, surprise!
For the classic Portuguese style, the owners have substituted a decoration that travels from Portugal to the four corners of the world.
From swimming in the pool to reading in the large living room, from bike rides in the village to tasting regional wines, time flies here quietly.
Nearby, don't miss the Estremoz market on Saturday mornings and then have lunch at the Mercearia Gadanha, one of the best restaurants in the region (reservation recommended).
Double room from €125 per night.
Casa do Terreiro do Poço, Largo dos Combatentes da Grande Guerra 12, 7150-152 Borba, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 917 256 077.
Read alsoAlentejo, journey beyond the Tagus, beyond time
Casa do Rossio, Montemor-O-Novo
Casa do Rossio is a beautiful stopover in historic Alentejo.
Press picture
Just 1 hour from Lisbon, Montemor-O-Novo is the first of the historic fortified towns of the Alentejo.
And a few kilometers from this cultural treasure, the Casa do Rossio invites travelers to stop over for a few nights, between the walls of the former house of a large landowner converted into a bed and breakfast.
Only a handful of rooms, nicely redesigned with a contemporary design and a garden, unsuspected from the street, make this house a beautiful stopover in historic Alentejo.
Double room from €125 per night.
Casa do Rossio, Pc.
da República nº1, 7050-406, Cabrela, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 265 895 044.
Casas da Pedralva, Vila do Bispo
The Casas de Pedralva are part of a unique project to recover a Village in rural Algarve.
The houses are poetically baptized with the names of the most beautiful beaches of the Vicentine coast.
Press picture
This is the story of an entire abandoned village in the Algarve, a few kilometers from the Vicentine Coast Park and some of the most beautiful beaches in the region.
This set of ruins has been rehabilitated to become guest rooms, preserving the original charm of the village and its traditional architecture.
For the time being, 24 of them are open and reveal to whoever ventures there all the attractions of a typically rural Algarvian holiday resort: thick whitewashed walls and keeping the interior cool, colorful doors and simple furniture, charming.
Even the village grocery store is back in service!
Hiking, sea bathing and surfing are just a few steps away… House with double bedroom from €119 per night.
Casas da Pedralva, Rua de Baixo - Aldeia da Pedralva, 8650-401 Vila do Bispo, Portugal.
Such.
: +351 282 639 342.
Read alsoConfidential hotels in Lisbon: to sleep happily, sleep hidden!