Vilamoura – A Truly ® Great Algarve Holiday Destination

A short 15 to 20 minute drive from Faro International Airport and you will have arrived in Vilamoura, the ideal Algarve holiday destination in which you and your family or group of friends can relax, kick back and start to fully enjoy your break.
Vilamoura is one of the most stylish and cosmopolitan resorts in Europe and the list of entertainments on offer here is staggering. Designer shops and boutiques, cool cafes and bars and trendy restaurants are strung out over the fashionable marina, which is flanked by two beautiful golden sanded, blue flagged beaches.

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Synonymous with the sport of golf and world famous for its challenging courses with breathtaking coastal views, Vilamoura in the Algarve has six high quality rounds to offer, all of which are within fairly easy reach of the centre.

If golf is not your thing and you prefer splashing about in the water, you are spoiled for choice here too. Almost every conceivable water sport is on offer, from windsurfing to water skiing and jet skiing to paragliding, to the more gentile, less energetic, pedalos and canoeing. There is little or no tide in this part of the Algarve, so there are no real breakers, making it ideal for lazing about on lilos and splashing around with the kids.

If you’ve played enough golf and had your fill of water sports you can choose from a wide range of other activities that will add to your Algarve holiday experience. These include playing tennis, riding horses, picnicking in the countryside, placing bets at the local casino, watching a movie at the multiplex or keeping your eye in, at the local green lawn bowling club or shooting gallery.

The day done and your mind turns to what there is to do of an evening. Again you are quite literally, spoiled for choice for nightlife in Vilamoura. World-class restaurants vie for your attention alongside glitzy bars and nightclubs. You can party here till the early hours if you want, safe in the knowledge that you don’t have to be up bright and early the next morning, unless you’re teeing off at 07.00 that is.

Whatever you are looking for in a summer holiday destination, whether you are holidaying as a couple, a family with children or as a group, whether you want to get active or simply laze around, Vilamoura has something for everyone. It’s hot sunny weather, great beaches, wide variety of activities and varied evening entertainment guarantee a holiday to remember.

Food and wine in Portugal’s Algarve

Portugal’s Algarve, famed for its sun, sea, sporting activities and nightlife, is perhaps less well known for its gastronomy. But scratch beneath the surface, venture beyond the familiarity of the international chain restaurant with its many different takes on steak and chips and you’ll discover a world of traditional Portuguese fare that will live long in the memory.

By European standards, the traditional Portuguese/Algarvian restaurant tends to be comparatively cheap but this is in no way, a reflection on the quality of the food being served. The Portuguese love their food and are delighted to share their passion with any visitor that shows more than a passing interest.

Take a trip inland, away from the tourist spots and you will find lovely bistro style restaurants, frequented by locals. The food will be excellent and extremely good value and the atmosphere, authentic. If you happen on a local eatery around lunchtime, order the “dish of the day”. This is likely to be served with a glass of good local beer or wine thrown in, adding to the warmth and enjoyment of the meal.

Breakfasts in this part of the world are generally speaking, fairly non-descript affairs of breads, sweet spreads and strong coffee to help kick start the day. Lunch on the other hand, is taken far more seriously. Starting around noon, this relaxed grazing can sometimes go on for two hours or more. Not surprising then, that dinner is served that bit later, generally around eight in the evening.

Algarve cooking – simple, honest, fresh food with spiced flavours

Portuguese/Algarvian cookery, has assimilated, the tastes, flavours and cooking styles introduced to the area by travellers, explorers and invaders throughout its history. Garlic, onion, fig, almond and cinnamon, paprika, curry spice and piri-piri have all been welcomed and ably incorporated into a style of cookery that is distinctly Portuguese/Algarve.

Their love of all things meat and fish is reflected in a typical menu. Three course meals will normally consist of soup to start, a warming caldo verde or cold gaspacho, followed by fresh grilled sea bass or sole along with sardines, particularly in the summer months. For the carnivores among you, chicken, lamb and suckling pig are firm favourites. These tend to be arranged on skewers along with the many varieties of spiced sausage available. You can look forward to sampling some lovely dishes during your Algarve holiday, many of them, with meat, fish and shellfish all served together. And if you have a sweet tooth, local delights include the traditional Algarve almond cake and custard tarts – both wonderful treats to finish your meal.

Wine in Portugal’s Algarve

Portugal’s Algarve has only recently come into it’s own and been recognised as a true wine producing region. 1980 saw the area split into four DOC (Controlled Denomination of Origin) regions; Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão and Tavira. These regions were designated as growing areas and subject to the rules and regulations imposed by government and local authorities, encouraging the production of good quality wines. As with the wines of Portugal, Algarvian wines come in four varieties:

Red wine - VinhoTinto
White wine - Vinho Branco
Verde wine - Vinho Green
Rosé wine - Vinho Rosé

The reds and whites tend to be rather full bodied with a fairly high alcoholic content and low acidity, whilst the greens and sparkling rosé’s are that bit lighter, making them the ideal accompaniment to your relaxing holiday feast.