Embrace tranquillity, traditional 2 bed villa & annexe with large private pool.
Escape to the tranquillity of Casa dos Carvalhos, a charming traditional villa & Casa Bolota, the cottage annexe tucked away in the peaceful foothills of the stunning Serra mountains. Featuring 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom in the main villa & an additional 2 bedrooms 1 bathroom in the cottage, this property provides a serene retreat for up to 9 guests (5 in main villa & 4 in cottage). Relax & unwind while taking in the breath taking panoramic views & lounging by your very own private pool.
Set in a picturesque agricultural valley surrounded by oak, fig, olive & almond trees, Casa dos Carvalhos is just a brief 5 minute drive from the quaint Sao Bras del Alportel market town, offering a variety of restaurants, café bars, local markets & supermarkets. A 30 minute drive from Faro Airport, this getaway is perfect for those looking to disconnect from the chaos of daily life while still enjoying all that The Algarve has to offer.
The main villa boasts 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a cosy living room, dining area & a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher & washing machine. Step outside onto the spacious terrace to admire the stunning mountain views & take a refreshing dip in the large private pool (10 x 5 m). The delightful cottage annexe, Casa Bolota, provides additional accommodation with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom & a coffee station equipped with a fridge & microwave. Casa dos Carvalhos can be rented alone or with Casa Bolota for a maximum of 9 guests.
Embrace the rustic charm of this property for a peaceful vacation setting, while still being within easy reach of the gorgeous beaches, golf courses, cycling routes, local dining spots & thrilling water parks of The Algarve.
Embark on an unforgettable relaxing holiday experience at Casa dos Carvalhos. Secure your stay now & immerse yourself in the tranquillity that awaits.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Pool is not fenced so watch children at all times.
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Events
No events allowed
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Pets
No pets allowed
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Quiet hours are from 22:00 - 7:00.
Important information
You need to know
Property Registration Number 154793/AL
Property # 11208605ha
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
About the neighborhood
Sao Bras de Alportel
Located in Sao Bras de Alportel, this villa is in a rural area and in the mountains. Olhao Harbour and Faro Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda. Traveling with kids? Consider Centro de Artes e Ofícios and Centro Cultural e de Inovação de Bordeira. Discover the area's water adventures with swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling, mountain biking, and hiking.
Does Embrace tranquillity, traditional 2 bed villa & annexe with large private pool. have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Embrace tranquillity, traditional 2 bed villa & annexe with large private pool.?
As of May 10, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Embrace tranquillity, traditional 2 bed villa & annexe with large private pool. on May 12, 2026 start from $300, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Embrace tranquillity, traditional 2 bed villa & annexe with large private pool. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Embrace tranquillity, traditional 2 bed villa & annexe with large private pool.?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Embrace tranquillity, traditional 2 bed villa & annexe with large private pool.?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Embrace tranquillity, traditional 2 bed villa & annexe with large private pool. located?
This family-friendly Sao Bras de Alportel villa is located in the mountains, within 3 mi (5 km) of Old Town, Centro de Artes e Ofícios and Costume Museum. Municipal Swimming Pool is 2.1 mi (3.3 km) away.
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Everything is provided in the villa for a perfect stay. The large pool with a view over the hills of the Algarve is magnificent. The villa is less than 10 minutes drive from the pleasant town of São Brás de Alportel with numerous restaurants, and cafés.
Verified traveler
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 3, 2024
Thank you for staying and writing such a lovely review. Hope to welcome you back soon.
We had a wonderful time at Casa dos Carvalhos. The pool is lovely and big, the setting is beautiful and the house was fully equipped to meet all our needs. We would recommend this to anyone looking for somewhere to stay with friends and/or family away from the sea front.
The owner was really communicative, although to be honest we didn't have any problems at all while we were there. The wifi was fast, the house was clean, and the facilities were great.
My only (minor) criticism is that the kitchen needs an upgrade!
Robert E.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 9, 2024
Thrilled that you enjoyed you stay at our home. Happily host you again should you wish to return.
Thank you for taking the time to write us a lovely review. I note your suggestion about the kitchen, this year we upgraded the pool and shower so I’ll put the kitchen next on our refurbishment programme.
Just spent an incredible two weeks at Casa Carvalhos. Everything about the villa is exceptional.
The villa itself has very comfortable beds, a very well equipped kitchen with all the utensils and equipment you need, including nice touches like a juicer and blender. The living space is lovely with a real fire and loads of games for the evenings.
The outside areas - pool, BBQ area and gardens are what really make this place special. The views are fantastic, especially sunsets, the pool is clean and a good size and the plants and flowers around the garden make it feel like paradise.
There is a steep drive to get up but even with a small rental car this was no problem.
There is a restaurant just about within walking distance, Beira Serra which was great for dinner - monkfish stew was exceptional.
Beaches are about 20 mins drive, Fuseta beach is particularly nice
All in all this is exactly what you want from a villa in the hills
Will m.
Stayed 14 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Apr 23, 2024
Thank you Will for taking the time to write such a wonderful review for the villa. Thrilled that you had a great time. We’d love to host you again if you wanted to stay again.
We stayed here as a family of four and also rented the annexe for part of the week for my sister. The panoramic views are simply stunning and provided a great backdrop to our stay.
The house is very well equipped, with books, games, English TV (we were able to watch Wimbledon!), and a Wii games console for down time. The kitchen and BBQ were well used!
We spent a lot of time in the pool, and enjoyed the variety of sun loungers around the pool area. The potted garden is very pretty and we saw the gardener on several occasions tending to the flowers.
There is a supermarket a 5 min drive away and also lovely towns to explore. We did trips to Fuseta, Tavira, Estoi, Olhão and also ventured further west to the beaches there, Zoomarine and Slide and Splash.
The nearby town Sao Brás Alportel is well signposted so navigating around the Algarve by car is quite straightforward.
The host was very easy to deal with, good communication and sorted out any issues we had quickly.
We enjoyed our stay very much. Thank you!
Halina C.
Stayed 15 nights in Jun 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Thank you so much for staying with us and writing such a wonderful review. Were thrilled that you enjoyed your stay.
We had a lovely week at Casa Carvalho, lovely pool, and Casa has everything you need for a home away from home, the directions are good but be careful if using what 3 words, they do take you right there but from the wrong direction and difficult to manouvre car round and get the speed up to get up the drive, we only did that twice and then sussed there was a better way. Great touch of a welcome pack, the lovely cold Vino Branco went down a treat, will def be back
Property and location were excellent, very clean and well maintained.
Very much enjoyed our family holiday, facilities were well considered, including dishwasher and washing machine, freezer boxes and beach towels! Hillside location beautiful with seaside towns in easy reach. Recommendations provided by host for restaurants was useful, although we should have reserved ahead for some as busy!!
Would recommend and return!!
Samantha A.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 3, 2022
Thank you for taking the time to write us a lovely review, thrilled that you enjoyed your stay. We’d love to host you again should you want to return.
We had a wonderful week at Casa Carvalhos in August. The location is wonderfully away from it all, but close enough to pop into town for shopping and restaurants to not be a hassle. The villa is fantastic: lots of space, excellent wifi(teens involved), gorgeous pool and gardens and everything we could have wished for. We spent the week dreaming about actually living there.
The only thing I would mention is that there are steep steps up to the villa and some steps down to Casa Bolota, they weren't a problem, but if we'd had anyone with mobility issues, you'd need to be prepared.
Thanks for a fabulous holiday!
L'atout principal de cette villa est sa situation. Proche de la ville, des magasins et restaurants, elle est pourtant en pleine campagne, accessible par un chemin de pierre. La vue dégagée sur la basse montagne est formidable et il y a des tas de possibilités de promenades. Bon point de départ pour des excursions puisqu'on est à quelques km à peine au nord de Faro.
Et si je ne mets pas 5 étoiles, c'est pour quelques détails qui pourraient être corrigés. La maison est vaste, mais elle fait son âge... On aurait aimé une cuvette des toilettes un peu mieux conçue et des portes qui ne tremblent pas dans leurs chambranles une fois fermées.
Bon à savoir : la maison ne dispose pas d'eau de ville et les robinets sont reliés à une citerne (mieux vaut ne pas boire l'eau). C'est indiqué dans la farde de renseignements.
La piscine est très grande et rapidement profonde, elle convient plus aux nageurs qu'aux petits enfants voulant barbotter.
Les contacts avec Sarah s'effectuent par mail et elle est très réactive et attentive à nos remarques (il manquait l'un ou l'autre ustensile de cuisine, qu'on nous a livré quelques heures plus tard).
La literie est propre et confortable, il y a des meubles de jardin, coussins et draps pour un régiment. Un jardinier matinal passe tous les deux ou trois jours et s'occupe aussi de la piscine.
Clairement, c'est une bonne adresse. Un petit coup de modernité en plus et ce serait parfait ;-)
My partner and I had a wonderful stay at Casa Carvalhos at the end of May. With the travel situation less than certain in the UK, communication with Sarah was excellent from the moment we booked which really did relieve a lot of stress. We are regular visitors to the Algarve and would say the location is excellent - a five minute drive in to town for supermarkets, restaurants etc and also only a short distance to the beach.
The villa itself is great and given the other places we have stayed nearby, we think very good value for money. The pictures do not do the view justice and we spent several lovely evenings enjoying drinks as the sun went down looking across the valley. WiFi was also great throughout the trip (tested by watching Netflix over a few evenings) and the kitchen is very well stocked with all the equipment you could need. The wine and fresh bread on arrival was also a lovely touch and the tips on where to eat and what to do are extensive.
All in all, we will be looking to go back! One point to note - Sarah provides helpful instructions on how to get to the villa which should be used over Satnav (if you are a die hard SatNav fan, you can ‘drop a pin’ at the top of the dirt track in your chosen maps app once you have found your way there the first time).
Thanks again for having us!
Alexandra M.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 15, 2021
Thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderfully detailed review of Casa dos Carvalhos, it really encapsulates the villa perfectly. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed your stay and hope that you will come and visit again soon.
Para que procura tranquilidade e desfrutar de uma boa piscina, é um local ideal. O sítio é afastado da estrada e muito isolado de barulhos. Tem as comodidades necessárias - Internet, TV com vários canais, cozinha equipada, etc - e muita natureza para desfrutar!
Recomendamos!
Alexandre M.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 5, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write us such a nice review. Thank you for staying with us and I hope to welcome you back.
We had some great days with a nice swimming pool and lovely views over the hills.
At the arrival we had a few treats from the owner which were much appreciated
Highly recommended!
Alexandre D.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 5, 2020
So pleased you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for staying with us. I’d love to welcome
Uma vista fantástica, um lugar magnífico para quem quer descansar. A piscina é muito boa. A casa dos carvalhos poderia ter máquina de lavar louça e a casa da bolota poderia ter TV e internet. De resto foi uma semana excelente. Obrigada pelos miminhos à chegada.
Susana C.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 29, 2020
Thank you for staying with us, we’re so pleased you enjoyed your stay.
I will look into you thoughts on improvements.
Happily host you again should you want to return.
Nous avons passé 3 semaines dans la villa avec nos 3 enfants.
Elle est parfaite, le cadre est magnifique.
Le séjour a été très reposant car la villa est dans un endroit assez isolé... Aucun vis à vis.
Un jardinier passe régulièrement entretenir les espaces verts avec une grande discrétion.
La piscine est assez grande.
La propriétaire est très bien organisée... elle est disponible et joignable.... Lors de notre arrivée elle avait prévu quelques courses ( lait, œufs, pain de mie et même du vin...)
Je recommande à 100% aussi bien la maison que la propriétaire !!!
Merci pour son professionnalisme !!!
Akdim M.
Stayed 19 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 25, 2020
Thank you for staying with us and writing us such a great review. We’re so pleased that you enjoyed your stay. We’d be thrilled if you wanted to stay again.
A lovely secluded villa in the hills close to the town. Tavira, Olhao, Faro, Loule and beaches are all easily accessible by car.
We really enjoyed our stay here.
Leonard M.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write a lively review. So pleased you enjoyed your stay.
We absolutely loved every minute of our stay. From start to finish Sarah’s communication was great and nothing was too much trouble.
The Villa was clean and incredibly well equipped, in fact I would say it is better equipped than my own kitchen. The pool was great, lovely temperature and very clean. The gardener came a few times to tend the many plants and flowers and the pool was cleaned and topped up. By far the most amazing thing about this Villa is it’s tranquility and view! The view is absolutely dreamy and we never tired of opening our bedroom doors in the morning to that breath taking sight.
It is obvious that the Villa and it’s grounds are well loved and cared for. Thank you so much for letting us share a little piece of your heaven! I’m only sorry that we left and sadly forgot to write in the visitors book, perhaps you could add my comments when you get chance. Thanks again Kerry & family x
Kerry T.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Thank you for writing us such a wonderful review. So happy that you enjoyed your stay. We’d love to have you back should you wish to return.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Trudy R.
Sep 2, 2018
Perfectly peaceful.
We have been visiting the Algarve as a family for 26 years and enjoy the peace and tranquillity that rural areas offer. Cas dos Carvalhos is a traditional villa with incredible views, a perfect escape to the country. The accommodation is comfortable and, with the annex Casa Bolota, provided plenty of space. The pool area is perfect for making the most of the weather, dining and admiring the views. Well worth a visit. Thank you!
Trudy R.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write such a nice review. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed your stay and would love to host you again, should you wish to stay again.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Doug I.
May 29, 2018
Oasis in the hills
9th time we have stayed here and find the location quiet.
A car is required to get around, although there is a small bar within walking distance which isn’t open late evening. Local supermarkets are within a short drive in and around the town, stocking everything that is required to self cater. Alternatively there are very good restaurants catering for all types of palate, likewise a short drive away.
Doug I.
Stayed 14 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed your stay again.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Robert L.
Jan 2, 2018
Ideal
Just what we needed. The villa is as described and very well located.
Robert L.
Stayed 21 nights in Dec 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write us such a lovely review. We’re thrilled you enjoyed you holiday and glad we could help at the beginning.
Archival
8/10 Good
Peggy d.
Nov 4, 2017
beside the touristic hotspots-quiet with fantastic views
The house has a very good location for all that search quiet holidays beside the touristic hotspots with their clean urbanisations. The view is fantastic. Everything can be found in the House even good hints for eating out. Our boys liked it.
Peggy d.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to to write us a review, we really appreciate it. We’re glad that you enjoyed your stay with us.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Oct 13, 2017
Heaven on Earth
We have been coming to the Sao Bras de Alportel area on and off for over 20 years, this is the best villa we have stayed in over all that time ! It was the most comfortable and well equiped , the gardens were beautifully kept and there were lovely potted plants everywhere, the views from the villa were amazing !! It is off the beaten track and away from it all ! The weather was amazing which just made our holiday we stayed 9 days and had wall to wall sunshine everyday ( i am sorry i can't guarantee the weather ) but can everything else !! We would thoroughly recommend this villa if you want an away from it all relaxing holiday !!
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
I'm delighted you and your family enjoyed your stay at our villa and thank you for writing such a complimentary review. I would love to welcome you back in the future.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Ian M.
Oct 2, 2017
Spacious clean villa relaxing, stunning views
Lovely homily feel to the property, very clean and well maintained, plenty of sunbeds. Kitchen well kitted out, plenty of utensils. Lovely chilled week sitting by the pool admiring surrounding views and taking lovely walks in the area through the day. Barbecue or eating out a pleasure at night.
Ian M.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Many thanks for taking the time to write us such a wonderful review, we really appreciate it. We are thrilled that you enjoyed your stay and we look forward to hosting you again in the future should you decide to return to our little piece of serenity.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Judith O.
Sep 3, 2017
The Ultimate Get Away
This is our 4th Stay in this villa and we have fallen in love with it and this beautiful part of Portugal. It is an ideal location if you want to explore neighbouring towns and villages, our favourite places are Tavira and Estoi.
The outstanding feature of this wonderful villa and its little cottage is the countryside in which they sit, it is wild and beautiful and whilst you feel completely away from it all you are only a few minutes drive to a supermarket and the town, which has some great restaurants. The pool is positioned to allow you to enjoy the perfect view, our teenage girls just love it.
The property is always perfect, but even better this year with a few upgrades which made the stay even more comfortable. Owned by a lovely family who are a delight to deal with.
Just love this place.
Judith O.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Thank you so much for writing us such a wonderful review. We are thrilled that you return every year and are so pleased that you love the villa as much as we do. We look forward to welcoming you back next summer.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
julie h.
Jul 8, 2017
Peaceful & seclusion admist farmers orchards
Nestled in the hills just above soa bras de alportel your not very far from amenities and restuarants. Directions easy to follow and communication with owner faultless. The property itself felt very tidy clean and well maintained. Inside spacious and airy, mossi nets on bedroom windows such a bonus. Kitchen well equipped should you want to cook, good size fridge. Outside plenty of furniture, cushions, sun brollies supplied, plenty of places to sit should you want sun all day or seek some shade. We had many an enjoyable day and night sat outside, inside was little used. In all we had a wonderful, relaxing 2 weeks at this property and hope to return. J&G
julie h.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2020
Thank you for taking the time to write us such a lovely review. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed your stay and that you would like to return. Sarah
About the host
Hosted by Sarah Haywood
Why they chose this property
Our parents fell in love with the rural Algarve and decided to build the villa. Sadly, they are no longer with us and to keep the villa in the family we have decided to share it with others.