Portugal Location Guide

‘AN ABSOLUTE JEWEL ON THE ATLANTIC COAST’

The majority of our properties lie between the Spanish border in the east and Sagres in the west, and a high percentage within the famous ‘golden triangle’ including the prestigious developments of Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, Val dos Pinheiros, Quinto do Mar and Vila Sol.

The Algarve is famous for many things, but a wonderful quality of life has to be the greatest reason millions of people flock to its tranquil shores , golden sands, rolling hills and the gentleness of its native people.

Albufeira

Once a thriving seaport with its own castle, Albufeira is a now a major holiday resort. It has a small museum of 15th and 17th century Ming ceramics and an excellent selection of bars, cafés and restaurants to suit all tastes. A stroll through Albufeira’s old town in the evening is highly recommended for its amazing hidden treasures.

Alvor

This is another village with an amazing history and which is fast becoming a popular holiday location. It has a lively night life which attracts both locals and holidaymakers.

Carveiro

Originally a small fishing village, Carvoeiro is now home to luxurious villas and comfortable apartments. It has a reputation for style and luxury echoed in its collection of boutiques, bars and restaurants.

Portimao

A superb marina and the adjoining resort of Praia da Rocha have made Portimao a firm favourite with the sailing fraternity. The town is famous, and rightly so,  for its selection of seafood restaurants.

Sagres

Close to the most south westerly point of Europe, known as Cape St Vincent, all this is about Sagres. The surrounding cliffs make an impressive sight with their towering height constantly beaten by the Atlantic Ocean. The local restaurants are renowned for their amazing variety of fresh fish and seafood. Sagres is also home to Portugal’s most famous beers.

Tavira

Along with Lagos, Tavira is one of the most architecturally attractive towns in the region. The surrounding countryside is currently being developed to meet the demands of the tourist industry and the new golf courses in the area.

Lagos

Lagos wears its strong links with the sea as proudly as any maritime town. Today, it is a charming and carefully preserved seaside resort with cobbled streets, historic monuments and a wide range of leisure facilities as well a being home to Portugal’s modern harbour.

Close by, Meia Praia is one of the longest and least blemished stretches of sand in the Algarve and is the perfect place for water sports and relaxing.

Afterwards a stroll into town for some freshly caught grilled sardines and a glass of cold beer is high on the list of things to do!

Luz

A ten minute drive from Lagos is the pretty resort of Luz. Situated in a sheltered bay, Luz has a lovely beach and a number of bars and traditional restaurants. It’s not unusual to see yachts moored in its shallow waters while those onboard come ashore to sample the catch of the day!

Vibrant Vilamoura

Arguably one of the most dynamic locations in the Algarve is Vilamoura, a name given to the area rather than just an actual town. It is one of the largest tourist complexes in europe surrounded by pine forests, five top ranking golf courses, a luxurious yacht marina, tennis centre, shooting club, a riding school, casino and private airstrip. In contrast with all this modern finery the centre of Vilamoura is home to a preserved roman site and the museum of Cerro da Vila.

Almancil

This town has grown in order to meet the needs of tourism and the nearby developments of the ‘Golden Triangle’, encompassing the world renowned Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo resorts. There are many restaurants offering many different forms of cuisine as well as excellent bars, cafes and shopping facilities there.

Quinto Do Lago

When one thinks of the Algarve, it’s either the beaches or the golf courses that spring to mind.  Here in Quinto do Lago you have the largest golf resort in Europe boasting a total of 72 holes within four courses. Quinto do Lago has hosted no less than seven Portuguese open competitions. Other courses in the vicinity include Ria Formosa, Sao Lourenco and Pinheiros Altos.

The administrative centre for the Algarve (and home to the international airport), Faro is a major city, full of residential and holiday homesand the starting point of the Ria Formosa Lagoon, and important nature reserve covering some 17,000 hectares. Sites worth seeing in Faro include the breathtaking church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, which claims to have the best examples of gold leaf woodwork in southern Portugal – and the ‘bones’ of over a thousand monks! Faro airport has recently been upgraded with most major British and Irish airlines flying in on a daily/weekly basis.

Eastern Delights

Close to the Spanish border in the eastern Algarve, you will find one of Portugal’s largest nature reserves with its many rare species of flora and fauna – all within a few hours of some fantastic new developments which are growing in popularity in the region. Properties here are excellent value for money and the facilities are getting better and better. It is still relatively undeveloped compared to the rest of the Algarve and what you get here is a slice of ‘real’ Portugal and what many consider to ‘different solutions for different people’. Homes in this area are equidistant to both Faro and Seville in Spain.

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