Vilamoura is located in Portugal’s Algarve and has a fairly central

Vilamoura Marina

location on the country’s south coast. It is about 6 miles east of Albufeira and 20 miles from Faro Airport. The resort overlooks the beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and Vilamoura Marina. Vilamoura is backed by resort and residential development, five golf courses and the Algarve hills.

Vilamoura experiences a mild climate all year round, with low rainfall and temperatures averaging 25°C (77°F) between May and September.

The purpose built resort of Vilamoura was designed back in the 1960′s and now covers 8 square miles, with sandy beaches, upmarket hotels and deluxe apartments. The resort has a wealth of restaurants, shops, bars and clubs. The main attractions of Vilamoura are luxurious yacht charters, sailing schools, boat excursions and the many watersports. On the land there are golf courses, a riding school, tennis courts and a shooting club.

Vilamoura Beach Hotel

Vilamoura’s main beach is located on the doorstep of the resort’s waterfront hotels. Watersports, with everything from banana boat rides to parascending and jet ski hire are available here.

Water-based excursions leave from Vilamoura Marina. These include a dolphin-watching cruise, yacht cruises along the Algarve coastline and big game fishing.

Vilamoura is perfect for families and children. Not only is there the beautiful beach and watersports, but there is also crazy golf, tennis and horse riding, and Alcantarilha’s water park Aqualand Algarve.

Aqualand

Vilamoura boasts an eclectic choice of national cuisines including Thai, Italian, International, Japanese, Chinese, Brazilian, French, Spanish, Mexican and Indian, alongside first-rate Portuguese dishes, with lots of opportunities for alfresco dining.

Vilamoura’s nightlife is low-key, with British pubs, Irish bars and discos on offer. For a fun filled evening of gambling and cabaret there is Vilamoura’s casino.

Albufeira

The resort of Albufeira lies in the southwest of Portugal in the Algarve region. To the east there are many resort towns and the Algarve’s main town and airport at Faro, while to the west are more resorts and beaches.
The resort hugs the main beach and what is left of the old fishing village, with ‘The Strip’ out at Montechoro home to much of the nightlife action.

Albufeira is one of the Algarve’s busiest tourist destinations for cheap holidays. It was once a sleepy fishing village but has now bloomed into an international resort with well equipped beaches, a massive choice of eating and drinking venues and plenty to keep families happy.

The climate in Albufeira is mild, with very little rainfall and plenty of sun throughout the year. July and August are the hottest months of the year, with temperatures averaging 27°C (80°F).

Praia do Peneco

The Praia do Peneco is the town’s main beach and is reached through a tunnel from the old town. A variety of watersports, including windsurfing and jetskiing, is available here. To the west and east of Albufeira are the quieter beaches such as Balaia and Praia da Gale (particularly popular for watersports).

Albufeira’s old town, with its narrow streets, lies just back from the main beach and is well worth a visit. Here you will find lots of small shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. In summer there are regular bullfights at the Praia da Oura bullring. Unlike in Spanish bullfighting the bull is not normally killed.

Silves Castle

If you wish to explore further afield try the inland town of Silves. This charming little settlement oozes history, which can best be appreciated at its landmark castle. Enjoy a coffee by the Arade river before strolling through the sleepy backstreets, and then indulge in a meal of spicy piri-piri chicken cooked on the grill as you sit overlooking the water.

Albufeira offers many different eating venues, serving up the fatty diet of burgers, cooked breakfasts and chips that is popular with many holidaymakers. The old town has more interesting options, including restaurants offering the fresh seafood that the Algarve is so famous for. The Praia dos Pescadores is home to some very nice seafood eateries.

The Strip' at Montechoro

In and around the old town in the main resort there are plenty of bars, with some on the waterfront overlooking the Atlantic. For those who want to go clubbing, ‘The Strip’ at Montechoro is the place to be. Here you will find countless bars and clubs bashing out dance music and cheap drinks promotions late into the night.