Sun, Surf & Fun – Sporting & Leisure Opportunities in the Algarve

The popular image of the Algarve is one of long sandy beaches, quaint whitewashed houses, and unusual picturesque chimney pots perched upon single storey farmhouses, with windows and doorways picked out in yellow or blue paint. And for the vast majority of visitors to the region, the expectation is of a serenely blue pool at which to sit by whilst enjoying the summer sun and local wines. Small wonder then that the Algarve has not traditionally been thought of as a location of specific interest to those with sporting pursuits in mind.

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Of course the region is famous for its golf courses, and it rivals Florida with its huge choice and temperate climate, which is ideal for play at all times of the year. Championship courses can be found close to almost every resort, with Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, and Carvoeiro boasting more than their fair share of opportunities for players of all levels. The Old Course in Vilamoura is world famous of course, but so too is Henry Cottons’ The Penina, near Alvor (10 minutes drive west of Carvoeiro), and newer courses abound in Silves, Alcantarilha, and Lagos. Younger golfers can also expect plenty of challenge, with ‘Balaia Village’ (on the outskirts of Albufeira) and ‘Vale do Milho’ in Carvoeiro, offering great par 3 venues.

In fact, speaking from experience, I can confirm that the second at Vale do Milho is just about as challenging a water hole as will be found anywhere..... With the exception perhaps of the infamous ‘Salgados’ course, which is located close to Vale de Parra and Guia. Almost all the holes bring water into play, and it is not a course for the faint hearted.

Most of the luxury class hotels have courses attached to them, as do many of the resorts and developments within the principal towns. Carvoeiro for example has ‘Carvoeiro Golf’ (courses ‘Pinta’ and ‘Gramacho’), whilst The Sheraton Hotel has ‘Pinecliffs’, and The Amendoeira Resort (close to Alcantarilha) boasts a new course designed by Nick Faldo. The Amendoeira Resort is the latest venture by Oceânico Group (owners of Vilamoura Golf), who also offer splendid resorts and facilities at ‘Jardim da Meia Praia’ (in Lagos), and ‘Estrela da Luz’ in Praia da Luz.
So, as a golfer, there is plenty to choose from, and it is fair to say that the Algarve now rivals any region in the world both for choice and quality of venue. But what other sporting pursuits are available in the Algarve, and where does a visitor go to find them?

Well, as with golf, the more common pursuits such as horse riding and cycling can be found just about everywhere. Horsemanship is a traditional skill for Algarveans, and until very recently it was not uncommon to see horses used as a regular mode of transportation in the rural districts. Maintaining this love for horses, equestrian centres abound, and from Praia da Luz, to Carvoeiro, to Vilamoura, cross-country or beach riding (for novice and experienced rider alike) is available. All of the larger towns and villages also offer mountain bike rental, and if you are staying in Carvoeiro or Luz for example, the opportunity to hire bikes and travel outside of the towns – perhaps even as far as the foothills around Silves or Sargacal, is not to be missed.

Another sporting activity which will also offer a fabulous opportunity to explore the Algarve is kayaking or canoeing. Only experienced users should consider this, but the opportunity to take a small craft out into the Atlantic Ocean, and explore the coves and secret beaches, which can only be accessed by boat, is not to be missed. Again, the waters around Carvoeiro, Vale de Parra, and Portimão, will provide the opportunity to see at close quarters some of the most stunning cliff scenery to be found anywhere in Europe. And access to hidden beaches and coves around Benagil (just east of Carvoeiro) and Vale de Parra (west of Albufeira) is only possible using small craft such as this.

If open water is beyond the remit, then the opportunity to explore inland is also not to be missed. There are some fabulous river runs which begin outside of Silves for example, and will allow the canoe to travel down as far as Alvor. This is an absolutely wonderful way to explore the Algarve, and to experience the weather and countryside whilst having fun.

Another sporting pursuit which is increasingly enticing novice and veteran alike to the Algarve is surfing. The surfing here is considered by experts to be some of the best available in Europe – very consistent, and often undertaken on uncrowded beaches (if you know where to go). For the experienced surfer there are several world class point and beach breaks. As the Algarve is located on the southern most point of Europe it picks up both south and west swells, and the mild winters mean that this is definitely a year-round venue.

Although the beaches around the main resorts (such as Carvoeiro, Vale de Parra, Vilamoura, Luz and Lagos) will tend to be not the choice of the experienced surfer, from any of these towns it is only a short drive to Sagres, and from here up to the West Coast beaches such as Carapateira where International competition regularly takes place. There are several dedicated companies offering surfing holidays and packages, and these can easily be found by searching online.

With the Ocean always close by, it is little wonder that so many watersports are readily available. Another favourite is scuba diving of course, and again, Centros de Mergulho, or Diving Schools, can be found in most of the resorts. There is an excellent centre in Carvoeior for example, and this is one of the only schools offering the opportunity to dive with nitrox (enriched air). Novices should ensure that the instructors they find are PADI qualified, and the best schools also offer PADI, DSAT, and DAN courses for beginner to instructor level.

Of course, with the generally high temperatures found in the Algarve, the water temperature tends to remain stable, ranging somewhere between 16 and 22 degrees, depending upon the time of year. Apart from the opportunity to experience at close hand the wonderful ocean life found in this part of the Atlantic, there are also several old wrecks and reefs which can be explored with a dive school – and most of these schools will offer the opportunity to explore the local caves and cove beaches – with many schools offering this as a night dive. Search online for dive schools which are close to your intended destination on the Algarve.

Staying with the Ocean, fishing is another very popular sporting pursuit in the Algarve. Deep sea fishing trips are readily available from Vilamoura, Portimão, and Lagos Marinas. Blue sharks, Makos, and Marlin are all to be found in the waters off of the Algarve, and Tuna and Swordfish are common further west around Lagos and Sagres. Most of the skippers offering game fishing excursions will also offer complimentary hospitality packages, both for full and half-day excursions, and again, a little research on the internet before you travel to the Algarve should produce plenty of results.

We’ve only had the opportunity in this article to mention a few of the sporting activities available in the Algarve, and nothing has been said of the less common pursuits such as rock climbing, paragliding, skydiving and microlighting – all of which are readily available in and around the resort towns of Vilamoura, Albufeira, Carvoeiro, and Luz. Similarly, it goes without saying that the more popular sports such as tennis are well catered for – again, the resorts of Vale do Lobo and Carvoeiro have excellent tennis clubs which offer temporary membership to holiday makers. The Carvoeiro Clube de Ténis for example offers regular competitions for adults and children (novice and experienced player alike), along with coaching by professionals, and the opportunity to meet new friends or just improve your game whilst you have a little more time to play than perhaps you would at home.

Again, The Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy has 14 courts, of which ten are all-weather and four synthetic, as well as a mini-tennis and paddle tennis court. One of the largest tennis facilities in Portugal, it attracts national and international tennis fixtures, including an annual ATP Seniors Tour competition, the Vale do Lobo Grand Champions Caixa Geral de Depósitos, and the Portuguese Ladies´ Open. To compliment the tennis, a gym is available, along with swimming pool, pro shop and two restaurants overlooking the courts.Most of the tennis academies in the Algarve run a busy year-round programme of individual and group coaching, tournaments and social events, for members and holidaymakers alike.

Whilst your rental property should be enjoyed, we hope that this article has reminded its readers that a visit to the Algarve offers all kind sporting and leisure opportunities, and if you would like more information on any of these activities, or the resorts and towns where they take place, please contact us for more information.

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