Quinta de Silvalde

Just outside Porto is the historic town of Santo Tirso, originally built around a 10th-century monastery, and later a hub of Portugal’s busy textile industry. Quinta de Silvalde is easily one of the most stylish places to stay, and like Santo Tirso itself, known for its colorful gardens and antique mansions, this boutique hotel is heavy on peaceful greenery and historic charm.

Not far from the center of town, Quinta de Silvalde occupies a large oasis-like property with a collection of renovated stone houses set around beautifully landscaped gardens with a palm tree-framed swimming pool. Rooms are furnished in a contemporary style, though they retain some of the building’s original details, like exposed stone walls and French doors opening onto quiet private patios. Sunlit suites are more modern and spacious, and a trio of villas — one with a private pool, another tucked away in a forested corner — offer extra privacy. Highlights include a rooftop bar amid the treetops and a glass-walled spa with a mosaic-lined indoor pool, both with scenic views, and Quinta de Silvalade provides complimentary bicycles for exploring Santo Tirso’s trails and parks.