Algarve, São Brás de Alportel, Portugal

Behind a handsome façade of whitewashed lime and dressed stone, an arched doorway painted a deep burgundy, this old-town house has been brought back to life with a rare respect for what made it special in the first place. Step inside and the past greets you underfoot: original hydraulic cement tiles in a geometric tumbling-block pattern run the length of the hallway, while warm terracotta floors flow through the living spaces, catching the Algarve light as it moves across the day. High ceilings, an arched passage between rooms, and a cast-iron wood-burning stove give the interior a quiet, grounded character the kind of soul that can't be built new.
Casa Rubi has been thoughtfully renewed where it counts. Electricity, water, drains, walls and windows have all been redone, so beneath the period charm everything is modern and reliable. On the groundfloor, the open kitchen and dining area is bright and sociable, opening onto tall shuttered windows, while 3 comfortable bedrooms offer space for family and guests alike, dressed in soft linens with pops of warm red. A generous bathroom with walk-in shower, completes the picture with understated ease.
Climb to the first floor and you'll find the master suite together with its bathroom as well as the house's real heart throughout the year: a soulful rooftop terrace, shaded by a cream sail and framed by original stone window surrounds and terracotta paving. It looks out over the tiled rooftops of the old town a private, sun-warmed spot for long lunches, an evening glass of wine, or simply watching the sky change over the village.
There is airconditioning in bedrooms and livingroom and a wood burner in the living area. There is public parking nearby. Casa Rubi is located in the old town, so all amenities, restaurants, schools and supermarkets are within walking distance.
Living in the old town of São Brás de Alportel means belonging to one of the Algarve's most authentic and unhurried places. Known as the gateway to the Serra do Caldeirão, this inland market town has kept its genuine Portuguese soul while sitting just twenty minutes from Faro, its airport, and the coast. Life here is measured in intangibles pleasures: the Saturday market, the century-old cork trade, cafés where the pastel de nata is still made by hand, cobbled streets lined with citrus trees, and neighbours who greet you by name. It's a town that offers real community, everyday convenience, and easy access to both the beaches of the eastern Algarve and the wild beauty of the hills an increasingly rare balance, and precisely what makes this house, and this location, so special.
Energy Rating: E
#ref:ST-2177