Letty’s guidebook
Beach
Right in front of the hotels and apartment blocks, this beach has been seducing holidaymakers since the 1960s when Quarteira was still a humble fishing village.
The environment has changed a lot since then, but the upside of all this development is that you’ll never have to go far for provisions, a meal or beach toys for the little ones.
These services and the cleanliness of the beach earn Praia de Quarteira the Blue Flag every year.
The beach is two kilometres of light sand washed by gentle waves and screened by breakwaters every couple of hundred metres.
Quarteira Beach
23 Avenida Infante de SagresRight in front of the hotels and apartment blocks, this beach has been seducing holidaymakers since the 1960s when Quarteira was still a humble fishing village.
The environment has changed a lot since then, but the upside of all this development is that you’ll never have to go far for provisions, a meal or beach toys for the little ones.
These services and the cleanliness of the beach earn Praia de Quarteira the Blue Flag every year.
The beach is two kilometres of light sand washed by gentle waves and screened by breakwaters every couple of hundred metres.
Shops and services are all well and good, but if it’s nature you crave the next beach along in Quarteira is the one for you.
Praia do Forte Novo has the same silky sand and calm waves, but with none of the high-rise buildings.
The beach is walled by a line of low orange-coloured cliffs, and on the foreshore is pine forest, hiding campgrounds, golf courses and a lagoon.
The further east you go the further you get from the resort and its towers, but there are still beach bars and sun loungers so you you’ll have the little luxuries at your disposal.
8 locals recommend
Forte Novo
C R. do Poço RomanoShops and services are all well and good, but if it’s nature you crave the next beach along in Quarteira is the one for you.
Praia do Forte Novo has the same silky sand and calm waves, but with none of the high-rise buildings.
The beach is walled by a line of low orange-coloured cliffs, and on the foreshore is pine forest, hiding campgrounds, golf courses and a lagoon.
The further east you go the further you get from the resort and its towers, but there are still beach bars and sun loungers so you you’ll have the little luxuries at your disposal.
Sightseeing
There’s nothing understated about the marina in Vilamoura: The water is encircled by upscale hotel, dining and shopping complexes, while the harbour has a legion of snazzy luxury yachts.
It can be enough just to buy an ice cream or cold drink and go on a gentle wander under the palm fronds to gawp at these vessels.
Football fans might get a thrill knowing that a couple of the establishments on the waterfront are licensed by famous players: There’s the 7 Figo Bar and the CR7 shop, and there are no prizes for guessing who they’re affiliated with.
Departing from the marina in Vilamoura (5min taxi or 15 min walk) are an assortment of different boat trips, which include tours of the coastline, dolphin spotting and deep sea fishing. For the more adventurous are speed boat tours, jet boats or jet-skis, while for a total indulge charter a private yacht for a sunset cruise.
286 locals recommend
Marina de Vilamoura
Marina de VilamouraThere’s nothing understated about the marina in Vilamoura: The water is encircled by upscale hotel, dining and shopping complexes, while the harbour has a legion of snazzy luxury yachts.
It can be enough just to buy an ice cream or cold drink and go on a gentle wander under the palm fronds to gawp at these vessels.
Football fans might get a thrill knowing that a couple of the establishments on the waterfront are licensed by famous players: There’s the 7 Figo Bar and the CR7 shop, and there are no prizes for guessing who they’re affiliated with.
Departing from the marina in Vilamoura (5min taxi or 15 min walk) are an assortment of different boat trips, which include tours of the coastline, dolphin spotting and deep sea fishing. For the more adventurous are speed boat tours, jet boats or jet-skis, while for a total indulge charter a private yacht for a sunset cruise.
If you’ve promised yourself an afternoon of culture away from the beach, Loulé is on hand and is in the same municipality.
There’s a medieval castle here, built by the Moors in the 8th century and under their control until 1249. The square-shaped Torre Albarrã is a vestige from the Almohad Caliphate in the 12th century.
The centre of Loulé is a charming place to idle around for an hour or two, with a top-class market, fragments of its defensive walls and several pretty churches on the menu.
16 locals recommend
Loule station
If you’ve promised yourself an afternoon of culture away from the beach, Loulé is on hand and is in the same municipality.
There’s a medieval castle here, built by the Moors in the 8th century and under their control until 1249. The square-shaped Torre Albarrã is a vestige from the Almohad Caliphate in the 12th century.
The centre of Loulé is a charming place to idle around for an hour or two, with a top-class market, fragments of its defensive walls and several pretty churches on the menu.
Sports
Quarteira is a golfer’s idea of heaven. There’s no other way of putting it, when you have seven highly-rated courses at your fingertips.
Golf is integral to the lifestyle in Vilamoura, and there are even private tutors (unaffiliated with the clubs) who will write up itineraries for you and give an intensive week-long course to give your game a shot in the arm.
If you’re a seasoned player and are happy to pay for quality, the Victoria Clube de Golfe will be up your street, with an 18-hole championship course and top-notch practice facilities.
Novices or people looking for a more affordable round can check out Balaia Golf Village or the Laguna Clube de Golfe.
7 locals recommend
Vila Sol Golf
Estr. de QuarteiraQuarteira is a golfer’s idea of heaven. There’s no other way of putting it, when you have seven highly-rated courses at your fingertips.
Golf is integral to the lifestyle in Vilamoura, and there are even private tutors (unaffiliated with the clubs) who will write up itineraries for you and give an intensive week-long course to give your game a shot in the arm.
If you’re a seasoned player and are happy to pay for quality, the Victoria Clube de Golfe will be up your street, with an 18-hole championship course and top-notch practice facilities.
Novices or people looking for a more affordable round can check out Balaia Golf Village or the Laguna Clube de Golfe.
Food scene
Quarteira has a lively fish and food market, which is a great place to experience normal Portuguese daily life. The fish sold in the market is freshly caught that morning by the local fishermen while the fruit and vegetables are locally grown, and are delicious! Portuguese markets start early in the day with most of the fish sold by mid-morning.
Quarteira Fish Market
17 Largo das Cortes ReaisQuarteira has a lively fish and food market, which is a great place to experience normal Portuguese daily life. The fish sold in the market is freshly caught that morning by the local fishermen while the fruit and vegetables are locally grown, and are delicious! Portuguese markets start early in the day with most of the fish sold by mid-morning.