Villa Armada
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Overview
The eight lucky guests that happen to book the stunning Villa Armada are in for a treat! This amazing property dates back to 1501 and enjoys a fascinating past. It was built by one of the skippers who accompanied Vasco da Gama to the Horn of Africa. Over the centuries there were various additions to the villa which have now been removed to expose the original structure. The Manueline architecture has been lovingly cared for and respected with a sensational restoration resulting in this absolute marvel. Many ancient nods from the past are still visible in and around the villa. It offers a wonderful blend of time gone by meets striking, contemporary living. The orginal entrance was wide enough for a horse and had to be enlarged to make way for cars. The original coat of arms was effaced to avoid paying a tax apart from the ornamental rope framing it. It has now been redesigned to represent its new owner’s coat of arms. Villa Armada is a marvellous property. It is stunning, spacious and a simply magical renovation.
Located amongst countryside greenery close to the historic town of Caminha, Villa Armada enjoys spectacular scenery. This hidden jewel in northern Portugal is located in the Viana do Castelo district in Alto Minho, near the mouth of the River Minho which separates Portugal and Spain. There is plenty to see and admire in Caminha including the ancient Torre do Relogio de Caminha, the clock tower which forms part of the old city walls built in the 12th centurey and is a national monument. You can climb to the top of the tower to enjoy fabulous views of the town. The Rua Direita or Ricardo Joaquim de Sousa Street is the cobbled main street in the historic centre. Another historic monument is the Igreja Matriz de Caminha where you can admire tiles from the 17th century. The Foz do Minho Beach is located next to the River Minho, a wonderful area of great natural beauty with a gorgeous beach and delightful walking trails. Guests staying at Villa Armada enjoy beaches, rivers, mountains, forests, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and absolutely delicious food and wine.
Villa Armada boasts four stunning bedroom suites sleeping eight guests, fabulous contemporary living spaces and sensational outdoor space. The works to the villa have provided a very sleek, contemporary feel while keeping the original structures and respecting its architecture. Throughout the villa you will discover exposed stone walls and other wonderful features. The designers are proud of their eco friendly designs. The heating and electricity are solar, the pool is technically a pond, a large vegetable garden with herbs and edible flowers has been developed and everything is recycled or composted.
The main living space is open plan in design with extraordinary scenery enjoyed from every corner of the room. The anthracite grey kitchen is sleek, stylish and ultra modern with the very best of appliances and a sociable central island. To one side is a huge picture window with fabulous garden views and stools wher you can perch with a cool glass of wine to enjoy the views. The trendy dining area also enjoys giant picture windows and views and the living area is wonderfully comfortable with a massive log burning stove, television and vibrant contemporary art.
The four bedrooms are calm, soothing nests with contemporary furnishings, dazzling white decor and doors opening to various terraces and private corners. They enjoy spectacular ensuite bathrooms. Throughout the villa, you will find lots of quiet corners, art studios and beautiful views from every angle.
The outside spaces of Villa Armada are incredible. With stunning views, beautiful gardens, a sensational natural swimming pool and a delightful alfresco dining area, they are hard to beat. You will discover so many ancient charms and be enchanted by the whole plot. You will definitely want to book this property again and explore this under-the-radar hidden area some more.
What you should know…
- This sensational villa is located close to the Spanish border. You can easily combine your holiday with a visit to Galicia crossing the Minho River
- The villa is within easy reach of the stunning Viana do Castelo as well as Braga and Porto. You can enjoy a very diverse holiday experience when picking this property
- Please let us know if we can help arrange watersports, activity sessions, private chefs or anything else that might make your holiday even better. The hosts of this villa are very happy to arrange horseback riding tours, canyoning, kiteboarding, surfing, windsurfing, stand up paddle sunrise and sunset tours, wakeboarding and trekking. You can also have a private chef for a celebration meal, grocery delivery, personal trainers, yoga and pilates or a masseur
Property Features
The Villa
Villa Armada is a recently renovated villa, with original construction dating of 1501. Featuring a fully naturally filtered pool and amazing mountain views, this property is ideal for groups and families looking to spend their holidays in connection with the nature and with maximum privacy.
Ground Floor
- Master bedroom with double bed, access to the patio and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite shower room
First Floor
- Ample modern living room with comfortable seating, satellite TV and fireplace
- Open plan dining area for 8 people
- Fully equipped modern kitchen with central island
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite shower room
Annexe
- Small living area with comfortable seating and access to the patio
- Open plan small dining for 2 people
- Well equipped integrated kithcen
- Bedroom with double bed and en-suite shower room
Exterior Grounds
- Private swimming pool
- Large patio and garden area
- Covered terrace
- Outdoor dining
- Various sun loungers
- Garden furniture
- Various parasols
- Outdoor shower
- Private parking
- Barbecue
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi connection
- Heating
- Bluetooth sound system
- Cot Available
- Hair dryer
- Shampoo
- Shower gel
Registration Number: 106214/AL
Location
About the surrounding area of Villa ArmadaCaminha is a wonderful destination for a holiday. It is unspoilt, very historic and totally fascinating. By the end of the 19th century, the railway line between Porto and Valenca was established so the Eiffel Bridge was built by Gustave Eiffel, of the Paris Eiffel Tower fame. You can admire his work from the riverside park along Avenida de Camoes in the town.
The surrounding countryside and rivers are fabulous, brimming with Camarido pine trees and beautiful walking trails. Miardouro da Fraga is an astonishing viewpoint roughly 25 minutes walk from the town centre. You will enjoy stunning views of the Minho River and the surrounding landscape. Another excellent viewpoint is at Santo Antao. The Serra D’Arga Mountain will leave you speechless. It offers sensational vistas as well as beautiful natural lagoons and waterfalls.
Foz do Minho Beach is wonderful, as is Praia de Vila Praia de Ancora. It forms part of the Lagarteira Fortress which was built in the 17th century to serve as a defence. It is good for windsurfing with lovely scenery. Forte da Insua is on the little island off the coast of Caminha. Inhabited by monks from the 14th century, a 17th century fortress was built to offer them protection.
If you follow the Minho River, you can visit the delightful Tui on the northern side of the river, in Galicia. It boasts a beautiful historic centre and an excellent range of gourmet dining as well as excellent shops. Tui is located south of the Pontevedra province and sits on the edge of the Minho River, opposite the Portuguese town of Valenca. The towns are connected by a nineteenth century bridge. Valenca do Minho is located on the hillside overlooking the left bank of the Minho and on the main road that links the Spanish Santiago de Compostela with Porto. Tourists flock to the town to buy embroidered tablecloths and sheets, the speciality of the town.
Viana do Castelo’s compact historic centre boasts extravagant religious buildings, delightful cafes, elegant plazas and narrow shopping streets which open onto the banks of the Rio Lima. The pearly white, neo-Byzantine Santa Luzia Church presides over the city, sitting high on the hilltop.
Ponte de Lima is one of the most characterful and picturesque towns of Northern Portugal, on the southern banks of the Lima River. The location has been the main river crossing since the Romans constructed a bridge in 1AD. There is a delightful mix of ancient houses, grand religious buildings and pretty plazas. There are a number of interesting museums as well as colourful flower gardens and stunning natural scenery all around. The Ponte do Lima is an excellent centre for adventure activities such as the Ecovia cycling route, kayaking along the Lima River, mountain biking or hiking in the Serra D’Arga or birdwatching in the Lagoas de Bertiandos. You can river bathe in Labruja.
Further south, Braga is regarded as one the main religious centres of Portugal, with the oldest cathedral and many Gothic churches. Every hour you will hear a cocophony of different church bells ringing out! It is the third largest city of Portugal and is a joy to explore. Braga is an enthralling university city and the setting for Bom Jesus do Monte, a fine monument. The historic centre is fully pedestrianised. There are pretty city gardens, charming plazas and busy shopping streets.
| Local Amenities | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest Airport |
Porto Airport
(79 km) |
||
| Nearest Airport 2 |
Vigo Airport (Spain)
(65 km) |
||
| Nearest Ferry Port |
Caminha Ferry Port
(20 km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Tras-o-Rio
(500 m) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Ancora
(5 km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Escondinho Restaurante
(5 km) |
||
| Nearest Bar/Pub |
Bar Baviera
(6 km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
Intermache Ancora
(5 km) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Duna do Caldeirao Beach
(6 km) |
||
| Nearest Golf |
Estela Golf Club
(51 km) |
||
| Nearest Tennis |
Codesal Tennis Club (Spain)
(16 km) |
||
Note
Please be aware that the location tab shown on the website is not based on the property's exact location; therefore, all location amenities are an approx of facilities, restaurants, and villages/towns you might find around the property. The property's exact location will be provided to you before arrival and might come along with some recommendations about the area and what to visit.
ABOUT MINHO
The areas of Minho extend from the Spanish border in the north, south to Porto and east to the mountains of Vila Real. It is a green and fertile area of rolling hills encompassing the great rivers Minho, Lima and Douro, and the National Park of Peneda Geres. The countryside of the region is typified by long, sandy beaches bordered by pine woods, picturesque villages nestling among vine-covered hills, and historic towns such as Amarante, Guimaraes, Barcelos, Ponte de Lima, and Viana do Castelo.
The area encompasses a range of postcard-worthy landscapes and features that could almost be Portugal in microcosm: dreamy river scenes, high mountains, rolling vineyards, beautiful historic towns, dramatic Atlantic beaches, ancient religious foundations and mysterious archaeological sites.
Then there's the bold, sharp and fruity Vinho Verde to consider. This young wine is fashioned from the fruit of kilometres of vineyards that wind along rivers, over foothills and into Minho mountain villages.
But while you're enjoying one of our fantastic villas in Minho, you may well want to take some time out from all that sun worship to explore everything else the region has to offer – so we've put together this handy travel guide to give you a little help and inspiration!
Check out our Minho Travel Guide >>
Kids
Best Suited For: All AgesVilla Armada is perfect for a family holiday. It is a stunning property with a large garden and a fabulous, eco-friendly swimming pool. There are a number of beaches close to the villa including Foz do Minho Beach and Praia de Vila Praia de Ancora. Children also love the river adventures. You can hire kayaks and much more. The Minho is the longest river in Galicia. It shares the border with Portugal and travels 340 km.
It is roughly 100 km from Porto to the mouth of the River Minho. The entire northwestern province is known as the Minho. There are picture postcard landscapes with heavenly river scenes, high mountains, rolling vineyards, stunning historic towns, dramatic Atlantic beaches, mysterious archaeological sites and ancient religious monuments. There are many events including an atmospheric weekly market at Barcelos which is a cross between a medieval fair and a farmer’s market, carnivals in Viana do Castelo and many others. In central Minho, the Lima River idles through a succession of pretty towns with glorious scenery. The Lima valley then gives way to the mountains of Portugal’s only national park, the Parque Nacional da Peneda-Geres. The park was established in 1971 and its 700 sqkm protect a natural world. Oak and laurel line the riverbanks in the valleys and at higher elevations there are holly, birch, pine and juniper. Shepherds and farmers inhabit remote granite villages, looking after the goats, ponies, cattle and sheepdog.
The train that runs from Porto to Caminha then follows the Minho River to Valenca do Minho, an excellent stop. Valenca enjoys a must see historic sight, the Fortress of Valenca. On Wednesdays a huge weekly market is held on the wooded slopes around the old town to the east.
You can take an easy trip down to Porto. The Crystal Palace Gardens in Downtown Porto are lovely. The contemporary museum, Serralves, is designed by the famous Portuguese architect Siza Veira and has a huge attractive garden. You can take a boat trip to see the city’s wonderful bridges over the Douro. The 250 year old Torre dos Clerigos offers some of the best views of the city. There are 240 steps to the top of the baroque 76 metre tower. The city park, Parque de Cidade, stretches from the western end of Avenue da Boavista to the oceanfront at Praia do Castello do Queijo. It is perfect for a picnic and you can also visit Porto’s Sea Life Centre. The World of Discoveries Museum is interactive and child friendly. It charts the odyssey of the early Portuguese navigators and famous explorers including Vasco da Gama and Pedro Alvares Cabral. There are two zoos in Porto. You can feed the penguins at Santo Inacio Zoo or enjoy the tigers, leopards, bears and flamingoes at Zoo da Maia.
Baby and Toddler Equipment
- Cot(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Beach Nearby
- Walk to Restaurant
- <1hr to Airport
- Cycling
- Outdoor Pursuit & Activities
- Tourist Towns & Villages
- Historical Sites
Onsite Facilities
- Fenced Grounds
Extras
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
- Maid service/extra cleaning
- Private chef/cook/catering
- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge
- Local day-trips or tours
- Airport transfers
- Babysitting/childcare services
Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact the Oliver’s Concierge Team.
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!
| Security deposit | €500 charged to client’s credit card by the owner before/upon arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | Between 4.30 - 8 pm |
| Departure time | 11 pm |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €500 charged to client’s credit card by the owner before/upon arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | Between 4.30 - 8 pm |
| Departure time | 11 pm |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Extra €100 , paid to Oliver's Travels with the balance. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or garbage disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. |
| Linen & towels included? | Bed linen, bath and pool towels are included in the rental price. |
| Energy costs included? | Yes, included in the rental price. |
| Heating costs included? | Yes, included in the rental price. |
| Internet access? | Wi-Fi internet access included in rental price. |
| Minimum stay | 3 nights during low season. |
| Changeover day | Flexible. |
| Pets welcome? | On request only and with prior agreement with the owner. |
| Smoking Allowed? | Not permitted. |
| Tax | Tourist Tax included in the renal price. |
| Insurance | Guests are required to be in possession of a valid insurance policy, which covers them for cancellations, personal belongings, personal liability and any accidental damage caused during their stay. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 8 people:
| Rental period | 3 Nights | 4 Nights | 5 Nights | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 30th 2024 - May 1st 2024 | - | £1,929 | £2,412 | £3,376 |
| May 1st 2024 - May 5th 2024 | £1,480 | £1,973 | £2,467 | £3,453 |
| May 5th 2024 - May 17th 2024 | - | £1,864 | £2,329 | £3,261 |
| May 17th 2024 - May 27th 2024 | - | £1,732 | £2,165 | £3,031 |
| May 27th 2024 - Jun 1st 2024 | - | £1,864 | £2,329 | £3,261 |
| Jun 1st 2024 - Jul 1st 2024 | - | £2,100 | £2,625 | £3,675 |
| Jul 1st 2024 - Aug 1st 2024 | - | - | - | £4,596 |
| Aug 1st 2024 - Sep 1st 2024 | - | - | - | £5,363 |
| Sep 1st 2024 - Oct 1st 2024 | - | £2,626 | £3,283 | £4,596 |
| Oct 1st 2024 - Nov 1st 2024 | £1,575 | £2,101 | £2,626 | £3,675 |
| Nov 1st 2024 - Dec 28th 2024 | £1,250 | £1,667 | £2,083 | £2,916 |
| Dec 28th 2024 - Jan 4th 2025 | - | £3,069 | £3,836 | £5,371 |
| Jan 4th 2025 - Jan 15th 2025 | - | £2,013 | £2,516 | £3,522 |
| Jan 15th 2025 - Mar 27th 2025 | £1,447 | £1,930 | £2,412 | £3,376 |
| Mar 27th 2025 - Mar 31st 2025 | - | £2,192 | £2,740 | £3,836 |
| Mar 31st 2025 - Apr 30th 2025 | - | £1,929 | £2,412 | £3,376 |
| Apr 30th 2025 - May 4th 2025 | £1,480 | £1,973 | £2,467 | £3,453 |
| May 4th 2025 - May 16th 2025 | - | £1,864 | £2,329 | £3,261 |
| May 16th 2025 - May 26th 2025 | - | £1,732 | £2,165 | £3,031 |
| May 26th 2025 - May 31st 2025 | - | £1,864 | £2,329 | £3,261 |
| May 31st 2025 - Jun 30th 2025 | - | £2,100 | £2,625 | £3,675 |
| Jun 30th 2025 - Jul 31st 2025 | - | - | - | £4,596 |
| Jul 31st 2025 - Aug 31st 2025 | - | - | - | £5,363 |
| Aug 31st 2025 - Sep 30th 2025 | - | £2,626 | £3,283 | £4,596 |
| Sep 30th 2025 - Oct 31st 2025 | £1,575 | £2,101 | £2,626 | £3,675 |
| Oct 31st 2025 - Nov 1st 2025 | £1,250 | £1,667 | £2,083 | £2,916 |
Please note that these prices/rates are a guide only and may not be correct at the current date. For an accurate quote, please enquire.
Reviews
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Amazing place!
The house is brand new, clean and offer all equipment and commodities you need to spend a journey without worries, for full relaxing in quiet place and within a great friendly natural environment (the garden is well prepared with numerous plants and trees) - Highly recommend the warmed outdoor shower after a swim in the biological swimming pool – after enjoying the sunset straight front the main terrasse. We have been 2 families with 4 youngs kids, with wide space to spend energy. For lunch and/or dinner, the house offers a great fireplace.
Ricardo has been very available to welcome us and explained the multiple function of the house, and during the spend, to indicate any activities around Ancora and beyond, giving some key points of the region- we enjoyed the beautiful Ancora river with its secrets – 20 minutes driving from the house. The closest beach is nearby 8-10 min driving.
The renting house option is highly recommended – and journey and house facilities remains too short for a week spent. Good job Ricardo! We will come back. -
Great place
Great place in a very quiet and pleasant area! Well equipped kitchen with a large common space to spend time in. Nice external grill too! Ricardo is also an amazing host that provides a lot useful recommendations regarding different locations in the area and attractions.
-
Excellent house!
Beautiful, recently restored and very well equipped, with a great location, very close to the beaches of Vila Nova de Cerveira and Moledo but also next to the Serra d'Arga and its wonders!
Very good option for a few days of rest, with little walks in between!
Good reception by the host, with Ricardo present at check-in and check-out and always available during the stay, if necessary.
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.
