Villa Maricola
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Overview
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Nestled in a small Minho village, a short drive from the picturesque Roman riverside town of Ponte de Lima and the atmospheric, historic town of Caminha, Villa Maricola offers an inherited peaceful ambience, total seclusion and sensational views from its elevated spot. This characterful holiday home sleeps up to twelve guests and is a perfect base to explore the gorgeous, unspoilt Minho region.
Villa Maricola is situated near the beautiful village of Rubiaes which is on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and boasts its pretty Sao Pedro de Rubiaes church. From its fabulous elevated spot, the villa overlooks a lush green valley. Caminha is a hidden jewel 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 century 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 Maricola enjoy beaches, rivers, mountains, forests, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and absolutely delicious food and local wine.
Villa Maricola is an idyllic retreat, offering a most serene and authentic slice of the Minho. It is comprised of sprawling buildings, the main villa which dates back to the seventeenth century, a cottage and a new building, which in total boast six bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. The furnishings throughout are traditional and comfortable. The new building overlooks the swimming pool and valley. The very generous gardens are well-maintained and very mature with lush lawns, chestnut, orange and cherry trees and a children’s playground. In addition, guests have use of a games room with table tennis, table football and a pool table and an excellent barbecue and outdoor kitchen area.
The main villa boasts a charming country kitchen with a wonderful array of wooden cabinetry, all the appliances you need for a self-catering stay and a handy breakfast table. This leads to a formal dining area for all twelve guests and a characterful living room. With a wooden beamed ceiling, a gorgeous carved bench, comfy sofas and shutters, the living room is warm and inviting. Doors open onto a large courtyard terrace for alfresco dining. Upstairs, you will discover the master bedroom with its double bed, ensuite bathroom and covered balcony. In addition, there is a second living area, equally charming with a wooden arched ceiling, a feature fireplace and more comfy sofas. A couple of steps lead to the extended bedroom wing with its three twin bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. Steps lead down directly from these rooms to the pool and garden. The cottage offers one double room and one twin room, each with an ensuite bathroom. Villa Maricola works very well for multi-generational families or groups of friends.
The villa boasts some wonderful, sun drenched terraces, beautiful lawns and flowerbeds together with the 12m x 6.5m swimming pool. The pool is surrounded by loungers and a pool side shower. Guests can cook delicious feasts in the covered barbecue area and children can happily play in the playground or games room.
What you should know…
- This delightful 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 comprised of three different buildings, the newest with three bedrooms that lead to the swimming pool
- The villa is very traditional overall with characterful wooden beamed ceilings and rustic furnishings
This home is a part of our Great Value Collection!
Our great value homes:
- may be traditionally styled for a laid back feeling
- may have some simple amenities and features
- mean that you can enjoy top holiday destinations for less!
Property Features
Main House
Ground Floor
- Spacious living room with comfortable seating and satellite TV
- Fully equipped kitchen with access to the patio
- Separated dining room for 12 people
- Shower room
First Floor
- Living room with sofas, open fireplace, satellite TV, DVD player, music centre and access to a terrace
- Master bedroom with double bed, access to a terrace and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with two single beds, access to a balcony and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with two single beds, access to a balcony and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with two single beds, access to a balcony and en-suite bathroom
Cottage
- Bedroom with double bed, private entrance and en-suite bathroom
- Bedroom with two single beds, private entrance and en-suite bathroom
Games Room
- Pool table
- Table tennis
- Footbal table
Exterior Grounds
- Private swimming pool (12 x 6.5 m, 1.45 to 2.20 m depth)
- Large patio and garden area
- Covered terrace
- Outdoor dining
- Various sun loungers
- Garden furniture
- Various parasols
- Ourdoor shower
- Barbecue
- Toilet
Additional Facilities
- Wi-Fi connection
- Electric heating (extra cost, see T&Cs)
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- TV
- Hair dryer
- Coffe machine
- Fireplace
Tourist Licese: 1145/RNET
Location
About the surrounding area of Villa MaricolaVilla Maricola enjoys a wonderful countryside location in the Minho. It is brilliantly positioned to discover this dreamy area, brimming with rivers, valleys and ancient buildings. At the mouth of the Minho River, Caminha 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 where visitors enjoy stunning views of the Minho River and the surrounding landscape. Another excellent viewpoint is at Santo Antao. The Serra D’Arga Mountain is jaw-droppingly beautiful with 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
(100 km) |
||
| Nearest Airport 2 |
Vigo Airport (Spain)
(47 km) |
||
| Nearest Village |
Ponte de Lima
(20 km) |
||
| Nearest Town/City |
Viana do Castelo
(43 km) |
||
| Nearest Restaurant |
Restaurante Costantino
(3 km) |
||
| Nearest Bar/Pub |
Roulote Bar
(1 km) |
||
| Nearest Supermarket |
Supermercado Rubiaes
(2 km) |
||
| Nearest Beach |
Praia Norte
(44 km) |
||
| Nearest Golf |
Estela Golf Club
(71 km) |
||
| Nearest Tennis |
Pontevedra Tennis Court (Spain)
(28 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 Maricola is perfect for a family holiday. It is a charming property with a large garden and a fabulous swimming pool. There is an excellent playground for children plus a games room with a table tennis table, table football and pool. Families can enjoy diverse activities with beaches not too far away including Foz do Minho Beach and Praia de Vila Praia de Ancora, river adventures and hiking. Children love kayaking on the river. 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.
A train 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)
- High Chair(s)
Kids Activities Close-by
- Cycling
- Fishing
Onsite Facilities
- Games Room
- Indoor Games
- Outdoor Games
- Table Tennis
- Table Football
- Pool/Snooker
Extras
At Oliver’s Travels we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to travel services 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
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 | €450 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation two weeks before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | Between 4 - 7 pm |
| Departure time | 10 am |
Terms & Conditions
These terms and conditions may be amended from time to time.
| Security deposit | €450 charged to client’s credit card as a pre-authorisation two weeks before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. |
| Arrival time | Between 4 - 7 pm |
| Departure time | 10 am |
| Energy costs included? | Yes, included in the rental price. |
| Heating costs included? | Not included in the rental price, please enquire. |
| Linen & towels included? | Yes, included in the rental price. |
| Pool towels included? | Yes, included in the rental price. |
| End of stay cleaning included? | Yes. 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. |
| Internet access? | Wi-Fi internet access included. |
| Minimum stay | 5 nights during low season. All other durations on request. |
| Changeover day | Flexible. |
| Pets welcome? | Not allowed. |
| Smoking Allowed? | Smoking & Vaping are not permitted. |
| Pool heating charge? | Not available on this property. |
| Tax | Tourist tax is currently not required within the municipality of this villa, however many councils are introducing this across Portugal, so you may be required to pay this at time of travel. |
| Other Ts and Cs | First cot and high chair included in the rental price; please enquire before arrival. |
Rental Rates
Prices based on an occupancy of 12 people:
| Rental period | 5 Nights | Weekly |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 27th 2024 - Apr 26th 2025 | £1,061 | £1,486 |
| Apr 26th 2025 - May 17th 2025 | £1,113 | £1,558 |
| May 17th 2025 - Jun 28th 2025 | £1,516 | £2,122 |
| Jun 28th 2025 - Aug 30th 2025 | - | £2,800 |
| Aug 30th 2025 - Sep 27th 2025 | £1,516 | £2,122 |
| Sep 27th 2025 - Jun 30th 2026 | £1,113 | £1,558 |
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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The villa is outstanding!
Well organised arrangements pre arrival and the villa is outstanding. The pre departure gift of the beach towel was a lovely surprise.
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Photos don't really do it justice
Fabulous house, the photos don’t really do it justice. Very spacious and well appointed.
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Magnificent!
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Excellent House
The house is excellent, fully equipped and the attention at reception was spectacular. I highly recommend it!
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Love it!
The location is quiet and the pool area emanates tranquility. Perfect for moments of rest and fun. The house has several leisure spaces and is very well equipped and cared for. It was perfect for 11 adults and some children. The attention and care with which we were received and the pampering that we were left with should be highlighted. We hope to do it again soon. Thank you very much
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Ideal for large groups
Overall the villa was very nice and ideal for our large group of mixed ages. Having a pool, table tennis and games room was excellent. Being very rural it had Lovely views too. Rosa, the housekeeper, was very sweet and helpful.
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Totally stunning villa
This is a stunningly appointed villa with everything you could need for a holiday to remember. The layout is brilliant for a large group and the rooms and decor are superb. Every extra little touch that Rosa who looks after the villa adds to your stay is a very welcome bonus! Cakes and produce in abundance and the villa and pool are spotless. The outdoor kitchen and games room add to the villas charm, we also booked the chef on 2 occasions which I would highly recommend. Lots to do nearby, beach not too far away and lovely little towns and rivers which have a range of water sports. You will not be disappointed if you holiday here, just sad when you leave!
Don't miss out! Reserve now and get a full refund if you change your mind within 48hrs.
