Beauty in Simplicity

Depending on your personal tastes, the concept of no-thrills interior design will either sing to you or strike you as a wasted opportunity. This apartment in Cascais is very much for those in the former camp.

Despite this being close to the Portuguese coastline, there's a discernible Scandi influence in the way this home has been put together, from the walls painted in soothing white and the wooden furnishings to the sparse approach to decoration. If it sounds like we're being negative, we should also mention that there are lots of positives to point out – the row of windows on the far side of the living room is particularly generous when it comes to natural light, while the sleek kitchen has plenty of space for whipping up family-sized feasts.

Of course, if you're heading over to this corner of the country, there's every chance that you'll be trying to spend as much time out of the home as possible. Praia da Ribeira de Cascais is only a short drive away for when you're craving a dip in the Mediterranean Sea, while the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães sits the same amount of time away if you're after something more cultural.

Home truths:
*The single-level apartment is located on the ground floor – however, there may be stairs leading to the entrance
*There's no private parking available, but the beach, Cascais railway station and the old town are less than a half hour away on foot
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for free upon request
*Upon arrival, you'll be able to check yourself in with a smart lock