Recommended Golf Courses
Recommended Hotels
Vilamoura
The Algarve's largest marina and golf complex
Vilamoura is probably already southern Europe's biggest private resort and it is being developed further, but there is heavy emphasis here on green zones and environmental friendliness. It is a self-sufficient resort with a wide range of facilities, many concentrated around five excellent golf courses and a marina.
The marina, with berths for 1.000 boats, closed to most vehicles and it is a pleasure to stroll around and gawk at the extraordinary range of craft - from small sailing boats to large gin palaces - moored here. Built in the mid-seventies, it was the Algarve's first marina. It is still the biggest. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants and the whole scene is overlooked by the Algarve's largest hotel.
Cerro da Vila, a museum near the marina, is on the site of a Roman villa. Ruins and artefacts from the Roman, Visigothic and Moorish periods are on show. Open 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm daily in winter; in summer from 10am to 1pm and 4pm to 9pm.
Vilamoura's casino has slot machines and bingo, as well as a gaming room for black jack and roulette. Also nightly dinner shows.
The town embraces a wetland area extremely rich in plant and bird life. About 100 species of birds have been recorded there.
The Algarveans love live music and many bars and hotels feature music on some nights. Times and venues vary so keep your eyes and ears open.
AlgarvePackage.com