Known as “Júlia”, the property was originally designed by Portuguese architect Miguel Ventura Terra as a coastal holiday home. At the time, Monte Estoril was developing into an elegant summer destination, attracting families looking to spend their holidays close to the sea and away from the centre of Lisbon.

More than 100 years after it was first built, the villa has been carefully restored under the direction of architect José Baganha. The aim was not to reinvent the house, but to preserve its original character while making it suitable for modern-day living.

Elements including the staircases, openings, ceilings and decorative features were either preserved or carefully recreated. From the outside, the property still resembles one of the traditional villas that helped shape the character of Monte Estoril. Inside, however, the spaces have been redesigned to feel comfortable, practical and suited to everyday life.

The interiors

As reported by idealista, the interiors were curated by French designer Jacques Grange, whose approach avoided turning the house into a museum or a recreation of the past. Instead, contemporary furniture, art and decorative pieces have been introduced alongside the original architecture, allowing the old and new elements to sit naturally together.

One of the main features of the property is its bespoke kitchen, which was made in Florence by Italian company Officine Gullo. Designed not only for cooking but also as a place to gather and entertain, the kitchen combines metal finishes, traditional craftsmanship and modern equipment.

Additional room

The three-bedroom property also includes an additional room that can be used as an office, guest bedroom, television room or other flexible living space. Despite being officially described as a T3+1, the villa offers 445 square metres of gross floor area and includes seven bathrooms.

Outside, the house is surrounded by a private garden measuring 496 square metres. The landscaping was created by Portuguese studio Topiaris Landscape and draws inspiration from the traditional gardens of Cascais and Estoril.

Mediterranean planting has been mixed with tropical touches to create an outdoor area designed for year-round use. The garden includes terraces for dining and relaxing, as well as a heated saltwater swimming pool, allowing the outdoor space to be enjoyed beyond the hottest summer months.

Property location

The property’s location is another important part of its appeal. Despite feeling like a private coastal retreat, the house is within walking distance of Monte Estoril train station, Praia do Tamariz and Casino Estoril. Cascais can be reached in around 15 minutes by car, while central Lisbon and Humberto Delgado Airport are approximately 30 minutes away.

Modern additions include air conditioning, built-in wardrobes, storage space, a garage and an energy rating of B-. The villa is currently on the market for €6.95 million.

Adapting homes

Beyond its luxury features, the project offers an example of how Portugal’s historic homes can be adapted without losing the details that make them distinctive. In areas such as Estoril, Cascais and Sintra, older villas are an important part of the local landscape, but many require extensive renovation after decades of changing ownership and limited maintenance.

What makes this restoration particularly interesting is that the house has not been treated simply as an old building to be modernised. Its history remains visible, but it has also been given a practical purpose for the present. Originally created as a summer escape, “Júlia” is now equipped to be lived in throughout the year.