If you’ve ever asked, ‘can I find two bedroom vacation rentals in Portugal,’ this article addresses all your concerns.
Although a tiny country, Portugal has much to offer visitors looking to enjoy a wholesome vacation. Whether you plan on traveling alone, with a partner or family, you’ll find hundreds of activities to enjoy.
Nevertheless, securing suitable accommodation might also be one of the questions you want answered immediately.
This article will provide all the crucial details about finding the best two bedroom vacation rentals in Portugal. If you also need more details, this article offers a comprehensive guide into popular vacation rentals in Portugal.
What are vacation rentals?
Vacation rentals are short-term rentals that you can get for less than 12 months. Tourists and visitors generally use these options against long-term rentals because their stays are usually 90 days or less. So most people rent for less than three months. Vacation rentals always come as either furnished or unfurnished, with utilities included.
You should also remember that vacation rentals are more expensive than a long-term monthly rental fee. For example, you could pay €1,000 monthly on a one-year lease.
But in contrast, a short-term stay would have you paying $100 per night as though you were staying in a hotel. So, if you wanted to spend the month of August in Portugal, you might end up paying at least three times the regular fee on a one-year lease.
Can I find two bedroom vacation rentals in Portugal?
So, right away, let’s answer your question. You can find gorgeous two-bedroom vacation rentals in Portugal for various budgets. Generally, vacation rentals in Portugal come in two-to-three bedroom types. You can also find 1-bedroom vacation rentals as well.
That said, it’s almost impossible to find 4-bedroom rental units. So you don’t have to worry about finding a two-bedroom vacation rental. They are simply some of the most popular kinds in Portugal. On average, these two-bedroom apartments cost about 1,300€-1,500€ on a long-term lease. In contrast, two-bedroom apartments cost on average $201 per night. House rentals cost about $255 a night.
Types of 2 bedroom vacation rentals in Portugal
Portugal hosts diverse types of 2 bedroom vacation rentals depending on where you choose to visit. Let’s look at the three common types and what you can expect to see.
Apartments
Apartment rentals are the most popular form of vacation rentals that visitors often choose. The average size of these apartments often cost about 77m2. Furthermore if you’re going in a group of 4, a 2-bedroom apartment is the perfect property type to accommodate your group size. Ideally, you can find apartments in different forms ranging from apartments near and outside the city center, rural apartments and beachfront apartments. Stylish city-center apartments often have attractions that will influence what you pay. For instance, imagine waking up to Porto’s colorful Ribeira district, or having an apartment with charming balconies overlooking bustling plazas.
House rentals
House rentals are another famous type of accommodation in Portugal. Note that houses in Portugal are generally smaller than in the US and average over 196m2. You can also find different types of house rentals ranging from traditional to farmhouses and historic properties. For example, the Douro valley has many rustic and stylish traditional farmhouses offering a taste of Portugal’s enchanting countryside.
When renting any house, pay special attention to the furniture they’ll provide. For instance, some houses don’t offer beds but hammocks which are also super comfortable. But you should be aware of your choices first. In terms of traditional, you could find tastefully restored properties such as single storey homes with two bedrooms.
Villas
Most villas in Portugal come with luxury amenities such as a front garden, external patio, exquisite pools, terras and more. They are also mostly situated across scenic locations in Portugal such as the Algarve. So you can expect that these types of vacation rentals have tons of attractions. For instance, you can also have fascinating private villas with stunning cliff top views and refreshing ocean breezes.
Besides these three types of vacation houses, you may also find other unique and luxurious options. For example, you can rent a treehouse nestled in the lush Azores forest or boathouses docked in Picturesque harbors. No matter your needs, there’s a chance Portugal has all it takes to meet them.
How does the short-term vacation rental process work?
Ideally, your landlord would expect that you make the first and last payment plus security deposit. If you are permitted to come with your pet, you may also be required to make a pet deposit.
That said, you don’t have to worry about the deposits because they will be returned promptly to you as long as you leave the house in the condition it was in when you moved in or better. This is why we also recommend taking photo evidence of your vacation rental on the same day of moving in to avoid any hiccups.
Beyond that, some landlords also ask for a guarantor or fiador. This is the person that guarantees the financial aspects of your contract. It is more common among older Portuguese. But often this is waived as long as other aspects are in others.
Considerations for picking the best vacation rental in Portugal
Budget
Define your spending limit. This will help refine your search and narrow your options. Remember, amenities, location and seasonality can significantly impact the price of your vacation rental.
Desired location
Do you crave the vibrant energy of the city? Then Lisbon or Porto are great options. In contrast, the Douro Valley or Azores. Then again, if seaside relaxation is your goal, prioritize rentals near the coast. Don’t forget to think about transportation needs when picking your accommodations. If you’ll be relying on public transport, then you should choose rentals near bus stops or metro stations. If you’ll be driving, then ensure there’s parking availability.
Amenities
Depending on your budget, there are diverse amenities available to you. For instance, you can find properties with pools and the internet (WiFi) versus the beachfront. It’s also possible to find vacation rentals against the backdrop of the hills or mountains.
Some houses also come with all kinds of kitchen and household appliances. But pay attention to which of these amenities to expect. For instance, a living room might have couches, tables, chairs and lamps but the bedroom furniture may be lacking. Or you might have a refrigerator but no dishwasher or laundry facilities. Also, most rental properties might not have things like light fixtures.
Beyond that, heating and cooling are two critical amenities that you won’t find in every home in Portugal. Plus some accommodations might also offer personal fenced-in yards as well.
So, if these are deal breakers, you need to carefully select only two-bedroom rentals that should have those. Often accommodations with heating/cooling are more expensive than others. This article also sheds insights on the popular amenities to look for in Portugal.
Proximity to desired activities
Picture this, you want to spend your vacation in a beach town in the south but it should also be a town with walkable restaurants, shops, and bars while not being too far from the beach.
These are all reasonable demands, but as expected not all beach towns or vacation rentals can fulfill those needs. Also look out for the local activities you can expect there such as swimming, walking, golfing, cycling/mountain biking and many more.
So make sure to ask questions like:
- How many miles do I have to work to get to the closest restaurant?
- How do I get to the beach from my rental home?
- How long do the bars and restaurants stay open in the day?
- What kind of local activities can I expect within the area?
Asking these questions can help you make the best selection that fits your likeliest vacation scenario.
Pay attention to security
Home security isn’t a pressing issue in Portugal. But like the rest of the world, there’s also a fair share of minor break ins especially around tourist areas. You can ask your landlord or property agents the type of security feature to expect. It’s more common to find deadlocks and shutters at villas and houses in the rural areas. It’s also possible to find electronic access panels fitted at different modern apartment blocks. Yet, most expats and tourists report feeling safe in the country. It’s no wonder, Portugal ranks high in terms of one of the safest countries in the world.
How to choose the right two bedroom vacation rentals
Read reviews from previous guests
Before you commit to any rental property, always read reviews from past guests. Look for feedback on noise levels, specific amenities and overall satisfaction. This should help you gain a realistic picture of that rental.
Take note of the ‘sacrifices’ you make
Every vacation rental, no matter how amazing, has its perks and downsides. For instance, your vacation rental might offer you unrestricted views of the ocean, but have a truly rugged entry way and be equally far from other things like decent restaurants and shopping. Also, some homes might be big enough for families but are not rented out to them. Many properties also have no-pets policies. Knowing the ups and downs helps you prepare ahead of time.
Ask questions
Whether you are buying or renting, it’s always important to know what you are getting in the end. Make a list and keep adding to it as you ask questions. The best person to get answers from would be the landlord (senhorio or senhoria), especially about the furniture and amenities within the property. Also pay attention to the different terms ascribed to everyone involved in your rental process. When you’re renting an apartment complex, you might deal with a manager who is called the geral. If you’re dealing with the owner, then that’s the propriatorio or propriatoria.
Regarding utilities, you also want to know if you will be connected to public systems. This is called being “on the rede” whether it be water, gas or electricity/ Also ask for the providers locations so you can get contracts in your name. For short-term rentals, the lessor will generally take care of the utilities and then you pay them directly.
Book your desired rental in advance
Booking early helps you to seize the advantage of lower prices especially when you are going to Portugal in summer, which is the high season. Booking early helps you lock down on early-bird discounts and promotional offers.It also ensures you can carefully select the type of experiences you want to have at your destination.
Get to know the cancellation policies and any other items
Always pay attention to the fine prints on any contract involved with your rentals, even though you’ve only rented for a few days. The Portuguese often has a number of papers for you to sign. Ensure you get a representative to read the fine Portuguese print before agreeing or signing anything. That said, you don’t have to panic. Generally, the rental system in Portugal favors the lesse rather than the lessor. For instance, you can terminate a contract within six months with 60 days’ notice, but the lessor does not have that option.
Popular websites to find two-bedroom vacation rentals in Portugal
Fortunately, there are many booking websites across Portugal. They include:
- Vrbo.com
- Tripadvisor.com
- Airbnb
- Idealista
- O.L.X.
- Remax
- Sapo,
- Hometogo.
If you don’t want to use online rental websites, you can contact the many real estate agencies nationwide. They can help you find a property that covers all your knees. But often, it also means you’ll pay a fee. Facebook equally has many groups with rentals as well. Many are specific to areas like Porto, the Algarve and Lisbon.
Wrapping Up
To answer your question, ‘can i find two bedroom vacation rentals in Portugal?’ the answer is that you can. Despite being a small country, Portugal offers diverse activities and vacation properties for solo travelers, couples and families. So you can find the type of vacation rental you want but expect to pay higher than a longer-term lease would require.
Also, remember that your budget, desired location and proximity to the experiences you want to enjoy will also influence the cost of your vacation rentals. Follow the steps and insights we’ve shared in this article, and you can make a well-informed decision about where to stay in the country.
