The Location: Welcome to Dois de Julho—one of Salvador’s most vibrant, artistic, and underrated neighborhoods. Just steps from the Museum of Modern Art (MAM), where weekly concerts echo over the bay, and a short walk from Praia da Preguiça, where sunrise canoe trips glide across the water. Downhill, the community of Gamboa (not to be confused with the island) is a local gem, dotted with small family-run restaurants. Don’t miss Dona Susana, featured in the Netflix series Street Food: Latin America—a perfect taste of Bahian home cooking. The historic Old Town is close by too—Elevador Lacerda, Mercado Modelo, and the cobbled streets of Pelourinho are all within easy reach, making this home the perfect base for exploring Salvador’s layered, living history.

Encanto—a return to Salvador

When we left Switzerland after 22 years abroad and traded Alpine peaks for forest canopies, we thought we were heading straight into island life. We had restored our treehouse loft, dreamed up sustainable bungalows, and imagined our daughter growing up barefoot, surrounded by nature. But then the world shifted. The pandemic hit. Schools shut down. And suddenly, the island felt just a little too far away. So we listened. Adapted. And returned to my hometown—Salvador—to find balance between family, education, and the rhythms of our new life. The island was now just a boat ride away, and we were ready to root ourselves in the city. Still, we couldn’t help but do what we’ve always done: transform the forgotten into the magical. That's how we found a casinha do encanto—an abandoned three-story house clinging to the cliffs just above Solar do Unhão, one of Salvador’s most iconic historic landmarks. Weathered but full of promise, it offered what we love most: possibility, soul, and a view that steals your breath. 

The Space: You’ll have exclusive access to the third floor, where your private suite awaits: a cozy bedroom with a king-sized bed, a sunlit living room with a 65-inch Smart TV, and your own rooftop terrace, with a small open-air kitchenette, a soaking tub and open-air shower—perfect for unwinding with sweeping views over the Bay of All Saints. The rest of the house is our family home, shared with our daughter, two friendly dogs, and three cats. The house itself is arranged around a central courtyard, with colorful corridors connecting all three floors. Garden views and sea glimpses are everywhere, creating a rhythm between inside and out. The entire structure has a distinct Mediterranean feel, but every corner speaks Bahia—bright, soulful, alive.