Algarve, Loulé, Portugal

Some properties ask you to imagine what they once were. This one invites you to decide what it will become.

Tucked away in the quiet hamlet of Corte Garcia, just a short drive from the picture-perfect village of Querença and only ten minutes from the market town of Loulé, lies a triangular plot of 3,384 m² that holds far more promise than first meets the eye. At its highest point stands an old Algarvian farmhouse, its faded rose-and-white façade still crowned by the decorative parapet and carved stone window frames so typical of the region.

Step inside and you'll find the original terracotta floors laid in herringbone, timber door frames, and a staircase leading up to the flat roof terrace, the traditional açoteia, from where the gaze drifts over the green valley and the rolling hills of the barrocal. Together with its outbuildings, the existing structures cover around 250 m².

What makes this place truly rare is hidden in the paperwork rather than the stonework. The plot sits within an urban zone and benefits from a construction index of 30%, allowing up to approximately 1,000 m² of construction. That opens the door to almost any dream: a faithful reconstruction of the old house, a generous extension blending traditional charm with contemporary living, guest accommodation, a swimming pool nestled among the trees, or a combination of all of these, subject to the usual planning approvals. If the existing building is demolished and replaced with a new one, the new building can be positioned freely on the plot.Opportunities like this, with this much freedom so close to Loulé, are becoming very hard to find.

The land slopes gently down from the house, so whatever you build will enjoy that open outlook across the valley. Old fruit trees, olives and carobs scatter shade across the plot, the kind of mature greenery that takes decades to grow and instantly gives a new home a sense of belonging. The practical side is equally reassuring: mains water, electricity and fast internet are all available on the street, so working from home here is just as easy as relaxing.

And then there is the life that comes with it. Querença is one of those villages that seems to have been gently overlooked by time, a whitewashed church on a sunny square, a couple of cafés and restaurants where locals linger over lunch, and the slow rhythm of the Algarve interior. Around it, the landscape unfolds in hills of cork oak, pine and wild herbs, crossed by walking trails that lead to the cool waters of Fonte da Benémola, one of the region's most beautiful nature reserves. Spring brings almond blossom and wildflowers, autumn the smell of woodsmoke and ripe medronho berries. Yet the beaches of Quarteira and Vilamoura, Faro airport and all the amenities of Loulé remain within easy reach. It is the rare balance so many people come to the Algarve looking for: true countryside peace, without ever feeling far away.

This place is waiting for someone with vision. Come and stand on that roof terrace, look out over the valley, and start imagining.
Energy Rating: E
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