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Your guide to Vilamoura holidaysAll types of people are attracted to Vilamoura holidays, from singles, couples and families to groups of sporting enthusiasts, particularly golfers. This is because it has something to offer everyone and caters for every budget. It has a wide selection of accommodation, plenty of places to eat and drink, great beaches and a vibrant nightlife. It is also a great place to simply come and relax.  It is an all-year round Algarve resort, and can become very crowded in the height of the season, with August (and the Portuguese school holidays) the busiest. But you’ll still find plenty of visitors in the autumn and spring. Even in the winter, you’ll see plenty of golf clubs on the carousel at Faro airport, the mild climate being a draw for golfers.Vilamoura is only about 22km west of Faro, and thus no more than a 30 minute drive from the airport, so is very easily accessible, even for a long weekend. Vilamoura Holidays AccommodationVilamoura has plenty of accommodation to choose from, whether you're looking for Vilamoura cheap hotels or something more luxurious, like the Algarve Lake Spa Resort. Perhaps, it's an apartment in one of the satellite villages around the resort. Whatever your budget, you should find to find something to suit.If you’re checking out possible Vilamoura holidays accommodation, and you want to know what’s available in the different areas of the resort then click on one of the following links. Vilamoura Holidays - Things to doOne of the main attractions of Vilamoura (apart from the great weather) is that there is so much to do. Below is a list of attractions Vilamoura has to offer.Vilamoura MarinaThis large marina is really the focal point of the resort. It has capacity for 1000 boats and you’ll be in awe of some of the fantastic and glamorous vessels here. If you’re here in February you can enjoy the famous Carnival Regatta.The marina is a great place to wander around both in the day and at night, but in the summer it can get very crowded. It is home to many shops and boutiques and a plethora of restaurants and lively bars. There are some good restaurants with great views over the marina, serving all types of food. But as this is the most touristy area, expect them to be more expensive than others you may find elsewhere. Either side of the marina are sandy beaches with several cafes and bars. There are a number of companies at the marina where you can book excursions along the Algarve coast, charter a boat or organise big game fishing (the largest recorded black marlin caught is displayed here on the dockside). Vilamoura Golf CoursesIf your Vilamoura holidays are all about golf, you won’t be disappointed. Many people come here just for the golf and nothing else. There are 5 Vilamoura golf courses to choose from, each with their own style and challenge. Nearby there is also the golf resort of Vila Sol, and there are many others within a short drive.Standard green fees can be expensive, but if you intend to play a few rounds of golf, then there are some good deals on golf packages. Click Golf Packages Vilamoura to find out more.The Vilamoura golf courses are: For further information on these golf courses, click here. TennisTennis fans are well catered for in Vilamoura. Firstly there is the Vilamoura Tennis Centre, a short walk from the Marina. It has 12 All-weather courts and a bar and restaurant. Tel: 289 302369.A little further away from the centre of Vilamoura is Browns Sport and Leisure Club, which has 3 official tennis courts, 2 of which floodlit. (Tel: 289 322 740. There are also tennis courts at some of the complexes around Vilamoura and also 6 courts at the Hotel Dom Pedro (Tel 289 389650). Water SportsThere are plenty of water sports to be found down on the beaches and the marina.If you want to go on a boat trip along the Algarve coast or perhaps indulge in a bit of dolphin watching then this can be arranged, but do check the prices as these can vary significantly. One operator is Polvo Watersports, who provide boat charters, dolphin watching, parascending cruises, jet ski hire, wakeboarding, water skiing, ringo rides and banana rides. Have your sea-legs ready if you go dolphin watching.
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(opens in a new window). Vilamoura Holidays - BeachesThere are two main beaches, the Praia da Marina and Praia Falesia. Both have lovely golden sands, but Praia Falesia probably has better facilities. Praia Falesia is one of the most beautiful beaches in this part of the Algarve. It is 8 km long stretching west to the little village of Olhos d'Agua and is dominated by a natural wall of red cliffs.Roman RuinsAlthough Vilamoura has grown up to be a large Algarve tourist resort, it does have some history. The area itself has been inhabited for many thousands of years, since the Bronze age.The Romans were also settlers here, and you can visit the Roman ruins at the Cerro da Vila. This is an archaeological site and also a museum and is located just north of the marina. The site shows the remains of a typical 2nd century Roman villa, baths and a farm buildings. In the museum are artefacts recovered from the Roman, Visigoth and Moorish times. Vilamoura NightlifeIn the height of the season, Vilamoura nightlife buzzes. Most of the fun is centred around the marina area, where you can sit outside restaurants and watch the world go by or try one of the many bars pounding out their music. A couple of the more popular bars in the Marina are Figo's Bar (owned by Luis Figo, of Real Madrid fame) and the lively Rui’s bar. These can still be quite busy during the winter months.If you fancy a flutter, then you can always try the Casino, located behind the marina.. You can try your luck on the roulette and dice tables, Black Jack or even slot machines. They also have cabaret shows each night and a cinema if you like. If you want to go clubbing, then the casino also has a nightclub called Blackjack, which is popular with all ages. For more techno music, try Kadok, located on Estrada Vilamoura Boliqueime, on the way in to the town. It attracts quite a mixed crowd and is huge, being able to cope with up to 10,000 clubbers. Vilamoura Holidays - RestaurantsVilamoura has a large choice of restaurants to suit all budget and tastes, from Chinese and Italian to traditional Portuguese. The Marina is a very popular place to eat, as you can sit outside and watch the boats and the people pass by. Bear in mind though, meals in the Marina tend to be more expensive as it is the most popular tourist area.Probably the best know fish restaurant in the area is O Cesteiro, which overlooks the Marina. Not the cheapest place to eat, but food and service are excellent. Booking in advance is recommended (Tel: 289 312916). If you are keen on fish, then a visit to Quarteira, the town next door is well worth it. There are some great fish restaurants, which are more inexpensive than those found in Vilamoura. Buzio, a small family restaurant near the fish market is a good choice, although it can get quite busy. You could also try El Carvela restaurant, which is also recommended. Other places to visitMany people are quite happy not to leave the resort fro the whole of their Vilamoura holidays, but there is so much more to see througought the Algarve.Neighbouring Vilamoura is the once small fishing village of Quarteira, which is only a 15 minute walk along the front or 5 minutes by car. Quarteria is really a dormitory town nowadays and is a bit scruffy and soulless. Worth visiting however, if you are cooking for yourselves is the daily fish market and the fruit and veg market on the sea front. There is also an outdoor Gipsy market in Quarteira every Wednesday, where some of the stall holders dress up as Gypsies. Here where you can find very cheap clothes, shoes and leather goods, but beware the quality of some of these items, many of which are cheap imports from the Far East. For a day away from Vilamoura, why not visit Zoomarine for the dolphin show.
Also, nearby is the Aquashow aquatic park.
I hope this guide has been some help to you. Enjoy your Vilamoura holidays!
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