From Eduardo & Helena
This is our home, and now, for a little while, it is yours too.
Casa da Aguda sits at the edge of Praia da Aguda, one of the few unspoiled beaches along the Costa Verde — a stretch of Atlantic coast defined by pine forests, wild surf, and the particular light that only the north of Portugal seems to produce.
We've spent years making this place comfortable, calm, and deeply personal. The house has everything you need, and Aguda has everything that matters: the sea, good food, quiet roads, and an unhurried way of life.
This guide will answer most questions before they arise. But if something isn't covered — or anything isn't working as it should — please reach out. We are always reachable and genuinely want your stay to be excellent.
Moradia on the first floor. 2 bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin), each with a full en-suite bathroom, plus a powder room on the ground floor. Fully equipped kitchen, living room, and private terrace. Max 4 guests.
Street parking is available on Rua Comandante Ângelo Oliveira. Free and usually available. The building garage is reserved for owners — guests do not have access.
We love animals, but unfortunately the property does not accommodate pets due to allergy concerns.
Everything you need to know about the space
Casa da Aguda is a moradia laid out over two floors. The bedrooms and main living spaces are on the first floor, with a powder room on the ground floor for convenience. Each bedroom has its own full en-suite bathroom.
You will find a welcome basket with a few essentials to get you started. Beyond that, the kitchen has the basic equipment you need to cook your own meals — pots, pans, utensils, plates, glasses.
Stay connected
High-speed fibre connection throughout the house
Everything for a smooth transition
A few things that keep everyone happy
We keep rules short and reasonable. This is a residential building with neighbours who live here year-round. Please treat the space — and them — with care.
22:00–09:00. Music and conversation on the terrace must be kept low after 22:00.
Smoking and vaping only on the terrace. Ashtray provided. Never inside the apartment.
Only registered guests may stay overnight. Day visitors are welcome but must not exceed 6 people total at any time.
Events and parties are not permitted. This is a home in a residential building, not a party venue.
We're sorry — allergy concerns prevent us from hosting animals.
Please remove sand before entering the house — a small courtesy that helps keep the floors clean and the cleaning team's job manageable.
Yellow bag — plastic & metal. Blue bag — paper. Green bag — glass. General waste in black. Bins on Rua da Aguda, 2 min walk.
When leaving the house, please switch off all lights and the AC. We care about energy use.
Accidents happen — please just let us know. We'd rather hear about a broken glass than find it at checkout. We don't charge for small accidental damage. Please also report any issues with the house (something not working, anything broken, anything missing) as soon as you notice them — it helps us fix things quickly and keep the house in good shape for the next guests. Honesty and communication are what matter.
Emergency information & equipment
Your beach, 3 minutes away
This is one of the best-kept secrets of the Porto coast — broad, wild, uncrowded, with water that is clean and cold and absolutely Atlantic.
Atlantic water — clear but cold year-round (15–19°C in summer). Surf picks up September–April. Snorkelling possible in calm conditions. The sea here is genuinely cold; a quick swim in summer is invigorating, longer sessions reward those with a wetsuit.
Please bring your own beach towels, umbrellas, and sunscreen. The local supermarkets stock all the basics if you need to pick anything up.
The north end of the beach is quieter and sheltered. The rocks near Ponta da Aguda are excellent for snorkelling at low tide. Rock pools with children at the south end.
Each beach concession along the coast has its own bar — drinks, snacks, sometimes a full lunch. Barraquinha at Praia da Granja (walking distance) is a good one. Open in season.
The EcoVia walking and cycling path runs north to south along the entire coast — past Miramar (chapel on the rock), Espinho, and up toward Porto. Beautiful and flat.
Sunsets over the Atlantic here are extraordinary. Watch from the beach or from the terrace. Sunrise is best from the coastal path north of the beach.
Eduardo & Helena's personal recommendations
These are places we actually go. No tourist traps, no padding — just what we'd tell a friend.
Five of these — Zizi, Ella, Ciao Bella, Casa das Ostras and Chez Maurice — sit within 200m of each other and within walking distance of the house. Easy to wander between them on an evening stroll.
A step up from the everyday — proper dinner setting, well-run, grilled meats and fish done with care. Not a tourist place. Good for an evening when you want something a bit more refined.
Good for petiscos — small plates, sharing-style. Relaxed setting, creative without being pretentious. A nice change of pace from the more traditional spots.
A solid neighbourhood pizza place — good dough, decent wine, and the kind of easy evening that needs no planning. Works well if you want something unfussy.
Argentine-style grill. If you're after a serious steak, this is the place locally. Good cuts, generous portions, properly carnivorous.
Oysters, shellfish, and other good things from the sea — and a sushi offering as well. A more indulgent option in the area, good for a special meal.
A bar with outdoor terrace over the beach — the right place for a sunset drink. Also serves food, mostly small plates and snacks, good enough for a light meal. Go for the view and a cold glass of something as the sun goes down over the Atlantic.
Small grocery shops, bakeries, and cafés are clustered around the Bombeiros Voluntários da Aguda (the local fire station) — a short walk from the house. Good for daily essentials, bread, fruit, and a quick coffee.
A full supermarket with everything you need for a proper shop. Bakery, fish counter, fresh produce, wine, and household goods.
A traditional local supermarket — good for Portuguese products, fresh items, and the kind of personal service the bigger chains have lost.
Fresh catch daily, direct from the Aguda fishing boats. Ask what came in that morning. The simplest way to eat well here is a sea bass grilled with olive oil and lemon.
25 min by car, 35 min by Metro from Espinho. Go to the Ribeira, cross the Dom Luís I bridge on foot, and eat well.
Álvaro Siza's building on the rocks north of Porto, 2 Michelin stars. Book 6–8 weeks ahead. One of the world's great restaurant experiences — the architecture alone is worth it.
1 Michelin star. Eight seats at a counter facing an open kitchen — chef Vasco Coelho Santos cooks in front of you across 10 courses. Intimate, creative, genuinely special. Book well in advance; this is one of Porto's hardest tables to get.
The undisputed classic for Porto's iconic sandwich — layers of meat, melted cheese, fried egg, and a rich beer-based sauce that every place guards like a state secret. Santiago's has been the benchmark for decades. Expect a queue. Yes, it's worth it.
More famous for the cachorrinho da Batalha than the francesinha — a Porto-style hot dog with sausage, melted cheese, and optional piri-piri that costs almost nothing and tastes extraordinary. A tiny, old-school counter bar. Cash only. Go at lunch.
A proper Porto institution on Rua do Bonjardim. The pernil assado — slow-roasted smoked ham hock, crackling outside, falling apart inside, served with roasted potatoes and esparregado — is one of the best things you can eat in this city. Reserve ahead, especially Saturday lunch. Leave room for the rabanadas.
Famous for the pernil sandwich — slow-roasted pork on a crusty roll, simple as that. Go to the original location rather than the tourist-heavy Progresso branch. Queue at the counter, eat standing. One of Porto's great cheap pleasures.
The Port wine caves just across the Douro from Porto — Graham's, Sandeman, Ramos Pinto. Best late afternoon with a tasting. Graham's has the finest terrace view over the river. Don't rush this one.
Quick ticks before you go — takes 5 minutes
Tap each item as you complete it. No need to clean — our team handles that. We just need the house left orderly.
We hope Aguda treated you well. If you loved your stay, an honest review on Airbnb means everything to us — it takes two minutes and makes a real difference. Safe travels — and come back. The sea will be here.
— Eduardo & Helena