Everything about this Quinta da Marinha villa screams sophistication. The interior is dominated by a natural colour palette and pleasing clean lines. Monochromatic artwork hangs on the walls and there's the occasional modern flourish, such as the studio-esque lighting in the kitchen or the minimalist fireplace. One thing it's never going to be short of — during the day, at least — is natural light, thanks to the huge windows on most sides of the home. Many of these slide open and give guests access to the garden space — terraces complete with loungers segue into a large lawn with a swimming pool at the end surrounded by foliage. Here, it's possible to enjoy the tranquillity of this rural corner of Portugal. The golden sands of Praia do Guincho take twelve minutes to reach in the car and there are lots of walks to undertake in the nearby Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, but if you're craving the bright lights of the city again, don't fret — Lisbon is only a forty-minute drive away.

Home truths:
*There's room to park on this property's gated driveway
*All bedrooms and bathrooms are found on the ground level