“We didn’t choose the house, the house has chosen us!” Says Sónia in an affable tone and with a touch of contagious confidence. When talking about Vila Julieta, the project that changed her life, and that of her husband Jonah, she doesn’t hide her entrepreneurial spirit, characteristic of those who leave their home country in search for a new start abroad.
Vila Julieta, as we now know it, is a result of Sónia’s life paradigm change, a reconstruction project, leading to a fresh start and a return to her Portuguese roots.
“We used to receive people from everywhere in our small home in Luxembourg. Now we can make it possible in Vila Julieta.”
Sónia and Jonah
During our visit to Vila Julieta guesthouse, with centuries-old roots, we are illuminated by its 26 windows, a transparent border between two Conchada realities, one of oldest neighbourhoods in Coimbra. Outside, austere buildings stand straight, whose presence is noted shyly and silently. Inside, a warm light of a familiar and relaxed atmosphere, designed by Sonia and Jonah to make everyone feel at home.
You can book your stay at Vila Julieta here
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Rediscovering Vila Julieta in Coimbra: A Transformation Story
Creative and with a captivating energy, Sónia tells us the story of Vila Julieta, with an emphasis on its rebirth, its transformation from an almost vacant property, into a place designed to awaken the senses: the aroma of lavender, the soft touch of sheets, the comforting silence that invites you to rest.
The attention to detail, evident since the reconstruction phase is present in every look. With an exquisite decoration that combines straight and stately lines with the timeless spirit of the Portuguese house, we are invited to spend time inside, as well as in its garden. What was a forest for three decades, is now a green and sober place, inviting for sunbathing, outdoor dining, and space for children to play.
“We have decorated the house with purpose and meaning. Most of the furniture is either second-hand or given to us by friends and family. In the living room, there is a table brought by Jonah’s family from Indonesia. Three generations have gathered, played and danced around that table”.
Sónia and Jonah
A family home
It was while enjoying a colourful and flavourful breakfast, with proud roots in Conchada’s outskirts, that we realised the privilege of choosing between the aromas of the kitchen, and the freedom of the garden, to enjoy our first meal of the day. Along with French, Spanish and German, the Portuguese language blends in, in a smiling environment where different cultures meet. For many, sharing a meal with foreigners is an opportunity to travel abroad without leaving Portugal.
Isn’t it amazing how travel can happen through conversation alone? This is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about traveling and connecting with people from different cultures.
For me, the true essence of travel isn’t just about the places I visit but the people I meet along the way—their traditions, their way of seeing the world, and the connections that turn fleeting encounters into lasting memories. That’s why I’ll always choose to stay in guesthouses like this, where warmth, authenticity, and human connection make every journey richer and more meaningful.
“A few phrases exchanged with friendly smiles are enough to reduce the distance between countries, where the common place is sharing.”
Sónia and Jonah
This piece of nature, complements the stay harmoniously with the concept of a family home. The garden is also one of Sónia’s favourite places, where she develops her creative love for plants and flowers, sparking one’s appreciation for nature.
A place that stays in your memory and heart
This guest house isn’t just a place to stay… it’s a place to experience cultural exchange and connection.
Vila Julieta enriches the visit to Coimbra and competes, without any effort, for a place in the traveler’s memory and heart.