Quinta das Salinas

Stroll straight from your holiday villa to the glorious Praia do Ancão. A picturesque boardwalk over rolling sand dunes heralds your arrival to this uncrowded beach. Even in the peak summer months, there’s plenty of space to relish the Mediterranean rays in peace.

There are facilities too, including much-loved restaurants like Dos Passos. However, Praia do Ancão remains wonderfully wild at heart. The beach’s southwest orientation is sunset perfection. Stay for an evening stroll and watch the sky put on a blazing colour show just for you.

Follow the wooden walkway along the coast and you’ll encounter some equally impressive neighbours. To the west is Vale do Lobo’s cliff-framed beach (complete with stylish sun loungers), while east rests the more rugged shores of Praia da Quinta do Lago.

Rather than overloading your diary, villa holidays in Quinta das Salinas invite you to slip into a slower pace of life. This is a place for gentle ambles. Bike rides. Lazy beach days. Or, a particularly popular activity in this part of Portugal, an occasional round of golf.

Quinta do Lago Golf Resort is a giant on the international golfing scene, featuring challenging greens and sea views across three championship courses. Other courses nearby include Vale do Lobo, which is better suited to newbies, and Laranjal Golf Course near Almancil.

Another highlight of the area is Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, a thriving wetland ecosystem criss-crossed with trails for hiking, biking and birdwatching. Afterwards, seek out the pedestrian footpath to Quinta do Lago lake – a sheltered spot favoured for kayaking and windsurfing.

A million miles from the crowded towns, there’s no hectic high street around Quinta das Salinas. If you’re wanting to cook up a storm in your villa rental, good supermarkets can be found in neighbouring Quinta do Lago and Almancil. Remember to pay a visit to the fish counter for the freshest daily catch!

Quinta Shopping houses trendy boutiques for all your designer fashion needs, whereas the enormous MAR Shopping is more of an all-day destination. It’s immensely family-friendly too. Visit for high street brands, a fantastic food court, live events and, if the sun gets too much, a state-of-the-art cinema.

Both shopping centres are conveniently located within a 20 minute drive of Quinta das Salinas.

Mediterranean dishes get top billing in restaurants close to Quinta das Salinas. Grilled fish comes accompanied by sublime ocean views at Dos Passos and The Bold Octopus – two fantastic restaurants on the sands of Praia do Ancão. At sunset, a glass of wine on their rooftop terraces is a must. 

The Shack, a laid back bar next to Quinta do Lago lake, specialises in colourful all-day slurps and snacks. The food is fast, the service is friendly and it’s exactly what the doctor ordered after a day’s frolicking in the lake’s calm waters.

Located in the Algarve’s glittering ‘Golden Triangle’, Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo both go big on fine dining. Don your glad rags and tuck into a Michelin-starred meal you’ll remember for years to come.

Alongside the carefree vibes and captivating scenery, family-friendly villas in Quinta das Salinas are part of what makes this area of Portugal well-suited to holidays with young ones.

Each of our rental villas comes with a stunning pool all to yourself. Or, if you want to make an even bigger splash, Praia do Ancão is just a short walk away. A villa close to the beach is already tempting, but villas with indoor games rooms, television snugs and giant sun terraces? That takes the biscuit.

After a trip to Aquashow Water Park or horseback riding around Ria Formosa, it’s a relief to return to a holiday home that makes life simple. From fully-equipped laundry rooms to daily maid service, this resort really has thought of everything.