Casa Arte
Casa Arte is a beautiful villa rental for sunny holidays with friends and family located on two hectares of private land and minutes away from deserted beaches on the Algarve.
Savor some fresh oysters and indulge with a bottle of Rosé across the lagoon.
Villa Lavanda
Stunning views, no crowds, in-house staff and just steps from the blue waters of the Algarve.
The villa's private boat will take guests to the beach according to the tides.
How would you describe Villa Formosa in a nutshell?
Villa Lavanda is a privately-owned villa set within four hectares of Algarvian scrubland in the heart of Ria Formosa Natural Park. The surrounding gardens gently descend to a tidal lagoon where fisherman moor their colourful boats and it has direct access to a pier. Facing south, all of the six bedrooms boast sweeping views of the lagoon and white-sand beaches.
What is the story behind Villa Formosa and what was your inspiration to rent it out?
I bought the property after selling a small hotel in the historic centre of Lisbon. I was eager to create my own escape — a place to calm down and flow with the seasons. I also wanted to share my passion and admiration for nature and how it can provide quietude and serenity.
How would you describe the atmosphere and the interior design of Villa Formosa?
The landscape was designed in a way that scattered throughout the gardens around the villa you'll find spots where you may relax and peacefully enjoy the spectacular views of the lagoon surrounded by the scent of jasmine and lavender wafting in the breeze.
Villa Lavanda is furnished with vintage rattan pieces that I have collected over the years and they create a lovely, friendly aura. Every piece of furniture or decoration has a story to tell.
To you personally, what is so special about Villa Formosa?
Villa Lavanda is a timeless place with no obligations — you set the pace for how you would like things to be done. In the glimpse of an eye, you can enjoy simple but exclusive pleasures and experiences, such as a sunset drink overlooking the lagoon or a picnic on a deserted beach.
The villa has two wings that can accommodate up to 12 people in six bedrooms. Each wing comes with a living room, terrace, and heated pool. In the east wing, breakfast is served bathed in the morning sun. The kitchen is open to the dining and living spaces, with a huge counter where buffets can be served and drinks prepared. In addition, there are three rooms with high windows facing the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The west wing has its own terrace that also faces south, as well as a pool with a wisteria-covered iron structure made by a local artisan. The dining room connects to an alfresco area with a barbecue that’s embraced by banana trees, an umbrella and strawberry pines. From here, there is a winding path that leads to the vegetable garden and fruit trees. All of the suites have breathtaking views and either a terrace or veranda facing the sunset. There is underfloor heating throughout the bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas and air conditioning (bedrooms only).
East wing: 3 bedrooms
West Wing: 3 bedrooms (plus one)
Water sports deck with two Stand-up paddle boards and three kayaks for guest enjoyment. Outdoor parking area (under the pine trees) with domestic plug-in for Ecars.
Guests have access to the villa’s menu and wish list prior to their arrival, so they can relax with no obligations during their stay. The in-house chef prepares breakfast and dinner, according to guest preferences and you can be involved as much or as little as you like in the day-to-day decisions. Our resident staff will take care of all the daily household chores.
Whenever the tides allow, our skipper will take you to a nearby deserted island onboard the villa’s private boat or you can paddle the kayaks across the lagoon to admire the birdlife early in the morning.
Should guests wish, a private butler, dedicated concierge service, massages, yoga sessions, babysitters, e-bike rentals and private transfers can be arranged on request.
We have kayaks and stand-up paddle boards that guests are welcome to use. The Skipper will facilitate the use of equipment to go across the lagoon and explore the deserted island, as well as the small village of Arroteia with its crystal clear waters.
On request, we can arrange massages, yoga sessions and e-bikes. In the surrounding area, you can visit the salt pans and taste olives or explore the markets and churches of Tavira and Olhão. One of the best golf courses in Portugal is a 20-minute drive away. It’s also possible to go kite surfing in Fuseta.
One of the highlights is exploring the Ria Formosa by boat or the coastline by bike. At any time of the year, you can go walking on the deserted island. Depending on how far you want to travel, you can also visit Vila Real de Santo Antonio, which is around 20 kilometres away close to the Spanish border. I would also recommend learning about the production of Flor de Sal and why it is so revered by international chefs.
Villa Lavanda is located in a quiet area, roughly halfway between the fishing villages of Fuseta and Santa Luzia. A bike lane hugs the edge of the natural park, taking in salt pans and small villages en route to the towns of Tavira and Olhão. Here you’ll find amazing sights with no crowds.
The nearest beach is Barril, which is around five minutes’ drive from Villa Lavanda or 15 minutes by bike. It is one of the finest beaches on the eastern Algarve, with pristine white sands and crystal clear waters. It is also a place to learn about the fishing heritage of the region as it used to be a small tuna fishing community.
For many years, this part of the Algarve was left largely forgotten and protected from massive construction. The towns are still authentic and boast the most beautiful Algarve architecture.
I particularly love this part of the Algarve in spring when the citrus trees are blooming and their fragrance permeates the air. The hibiscuses and roses in the garden are also stunning.
Summer is ideal for the beach and water sports while autumn opens your appetite for food experiences and plenty of other activities. The area is well preserved, with a lot of birdlife and places to go hiking, cycling or boating. October is amazing for golf players.
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