COAST / BEACH
Reaching a wonderful sandy beach in under 10 minutes by car or taxi couldn't be easier and what a choice! Quinta do Lago for unspolied serenity, Vale do Lobo a little more upmarket and in between Dunas Douradas, Vale do Garrao and Ancao beaches.
Ria Formosa nature reserve is excellent for birdwatching.
GOLF
There are several championship golf courses within 15 minutes drive of the villa at Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Pinheiros Altos and San Lorenzo, along with the 5 Vilamoura courses and Vila Sol only 20 minutes away. Or you could try some of the new courses further east. With 30 courses to choose from in the Algarve you will be spoilt for choice.
TENNIS
Guests at our villa have free use of the tennis court opposite. Raquets and balls can be found in the storage area under the stairs.
For the more serious player there are two large tennis centres nearby:
Jim Stewart Tennis Academy - Located on the 4th roundabout of Quinta do Lago, the academy offers tennis at all lovels in a friendly atmoshphere. Game arranging is possible for all levels – junior and adults Full pro and raquet service.
Vale do lobo Tennis Academy - This is a long established facility staffed by up to 9 multi-lingual coaches providing group or individual tuition. The 12 courts comprise of 8 plexi-hard surfaces and 4 synthetic clay (6 floodlit) which can be played on in all weathers and also a short tennis court for kids. The Clubhouse overlooking the courts has a Reception, Pro-shop and bar with satellite TV. Weekly tournaments and social mix-ins are also available. Coaching is available with one of the team of resident pros.
PLACES TO VISIT
Almancil a 1km walk away, boasts quality restaurants and stylish stores which adorn this seemingly simple market town.
Sao Lourenco a nearby village, boasts a church decorated with characteristic blue tiles telling the life story of its patron saint. A stone's throw from the church is the local centro cultural, which for many years has hosted a range of art exhibitions and musical performances. The local pottery is also widely renowned.
Loule lies to the north of Almancil and takes about 10 minutes by car. There is a wonderful food and gypsy market every Saturday as well as an interesting old walled castle with Roman ruins. There are art galleries and quaint cobbled back streets. It is a typically Portuguese town to shop and eat where you will pay only local prices.
Faro can be reached by local train taking only 11 minutes to the town centre with museums etc. Almancil train station is only a 1/2 km walk from the villa.
Vilamoura Marina 20 minutes by car or taxi for a lively evening out where you will find non-stop entertainment, bars and restaurants.
ACTIVITY CENTRES TO VISIT
Waterslide Parks
From Almancil there are two water slide parks nearby. The Atlantico and the Aquashow. Both parks offer a selection of thrilling rides, slides and wave machines to suit all ages. They also have restaurant facilities and lawned areas to sunbathe.
There are also a large number of water sports available during the summer months at various beach locations.
Jeep Safaris
An adventurous day in 4 wheel drives jeeps taking you through scenic countryside and nature reserves where tourists discover the real
Zoomarine
‘The Life of the Sea’
A fun theme park located close to Albufeira. Spend the whole day watching the exceptional live shows performed by the dolphins, parrots, seals and sea lions. The park also offers childrens’ rides and a swimming pool, all at the cost of an entrance fee. A thoroughly entertaining day for the whole family.
Krazy World
Two interesting mini-golf courses surrounded by models of Dinosaurs, winding around pools and lakes with rope bridges.
A fully-fledged zoo, with crocodiles, alligators and some enormous snakes all in tropical surroundings. Lola, the African Grey Parrot, and her cousins, the Blue and Gold Macaws, keep the atmosphere distinctly jungle-like. On a daily basis (and twice daily in summer) there is a live snake and crocodile show.
There is also a fairground with a large Ferris wheel, a bumper car pavilion, mini train track for kids, bungi trampolines, two carousels and a snack bar.
SHOPPING
Shopping is very similar to the UK in terms of what you can buy in supermarkets such as Apolonia, or for the more adventurous there are popular fish and fruit markets at Loule and Quateria. The Bouganvilla Plaza shopping area at Quinta do Lago is a buzz of social activity with bars and restaurants as well as shops.
Appolonia is the nearest big supermarket, carrying an extensive range of alcohol and fresh produce. You can pay by credit card. Directions: Turn right out of Rua Por do Sol down the main road to the traffic lights at the bottom. Turn right towards Vilamoura. Appolonia is approx. 1km on the left hand side.
Alispar is the local supermarket chain you will see them all over the area. They carry an excellent range of products. They do not sell cigarettes but do sell alcohol.
Cigarettes/tobacco before the bridge on the main road to town on the left hand side is a cigarette/tobacco shop – it has an extensive range of
Jumbo hypermarket is in the Algarve Forum shopping centre in Faro. It sells a wide variety of food and non food items.
Algarve Forum is a shopping mall on the N125 towards Faro. There is a range of clothes shops, shoes shops and eating places. Parking is free and it stays open till late every night except Sunday.
Guia Shopping Centre is a shopping mall on the N125 going west, about 25 minutes away. Shops include a Continente hypermarket.
Shoe World - Mundo do Sapato in Almancil, sells discount Ecco, Gabor, Nike and other brand name shoes.
There are scores of restaurants within the Golden Triangle. Only a 10 minute walk from the villa is Henrique Leis (289 393 438), a Michelin star restaurant as well as several other local restaurants to try: A Quinta (289 393 357), Jardim do Vale (289 393 444) and Brassserie de Bruxelles (289 393 301) being the nearest.
Venapoa 93 is the local bakery and café on the main road down to the town centre serving from early in the morning until very late at night. The lunchtime specials are very good value (You are charged according to the weight of food on your plate!).