Algarve

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Algarve


For a villa holiday blessed with epic natural scenery, honey-hued beaches and a balmy climate, make the Algarve your first port of call. Located on the southernmost tip of Portugal, this sun-drenched destination serves up some of the best coastline in all of Europe.

Many holiday-makers flock here to sink their toes into the region’s soft sands and bathe in idyllic bays. Safe to say, bonafide beach bums are spoilt for choice! However, the Algarve has earned its world-class reputation for more than just its shoreline.

Picturesque fishing villages and historic attractions keep culture-hungry visitors occupied, while golf courses, nature parks and surf-perfect seas promise a hearty dose of adventure too. Our villas in the Algarve dot the 200-kilometre coastline. However, the greatest selection can be found in the swish central resorts of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, placing your pick of activities right on the doorstep.

With over 100 beaches to choose from, lazy days are a given when it comes to villa rentals in the Algarve. From intimate coves primed for snorkelling to giant sweeps of sand, there’s no shortage of opportunities to get your feet wet or top up your tan. 

Perhaps the Algarve’s most striking feature are the golden cliffs that edge its coast. Sprinkled with pine forests and punctuated by white-washed villages, these limestone giants provide a rather special backdrop to your seaside capers. 

Popular beaches such as the six-kilometre Praia de Falesia overflow with family-friendly facilities. Explore a little and you may stumble upon a slice of paradise to call your own. Our favourite has to be Praia da Marinha – a corker of a bay with spellbinding cliffs and emerald green waters.

Amorphous rock formations shape the Algarve’s coastal landscape. One of the greatest, Benagil Sea Cave, is best explored by boat. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, hire a kayak and paddle right inside this light-filled grotto. Meanwhile, at Praia Sao Rafael you can step straight off the sands onto wind-carved clifftop walks.

Faro’s cobbled Old Town, complete with the 13th century Faro Cathedral, is a must for history buffs. However, don’t pass up the opportunity to visit equally charming towns like Portimao, with its al fresco cafe culture, or fun-filled Albufeira.

Use your holiday home in the Algarve to put your feet up after sunny days spent out on the ocean. Parasailing, paddle boarding, snorkelling, fishing trips, banana boat rides – you name it, the Algarve has it!

When you’re looking to indulge in a spot of retail therapy, the Algarve’s shopping scene has got you sorted. Local markets aren’t just the place to pick up fabulous produce. Some, like Loulé Municipal Market, boast breathtaking architecture alongside the stalls.

Many major towns host monthly markets where you’ll find handcrafted gifts. Keep your eyes peeled for ‘azulejos’, beautifully elaborate painted tiles that are as much a work of art as a ceramic keepsake.

For splurging on a greater scale, Guia’s indoor mall bursts with international brands. Browse, buy and grab a bite to eat in the food court. There’s outdoor seating, plus a cinema and bowling alley that are worth keeping up your sleeve in the rare event of a rainy day.

Sea, sun and sophistication combine on foodie holidays in the Algarve. The result is a pioneering dining scene, packed with local produce and diverse enough to cater for every kind of appetite.

Wherever your villa in the Algarve, the Atlantic Ocean assures a mouthwatering array of fish ranging from budget-friendly grilled sardines to lavish swordfish steak. For lunch, simple yet delicious spreads of cured meats and cheese rule the roost, typically served with chunks of bread fresh from the oven.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with the big daddy of Portuguese desserts: the custard tart. These puff pastry parcels of creamy scrumptiousness are often devoured as a snack alongside coffee and not to be missed.

Family-friendly villas in the Algarve make holidaying with your young ones as simple as can be. Sparkling swimming pools and blissful air conditioning are a given, but there are plenty of perks still to come.

Whether it’s table tennis on the lawn, barbecues by the pool or a villa close to the beach, your family’s priorities come first. Many luxury holiday rentals even come with maid service, so you can well and truly let your hair down!

Beyond your home-away-from-home, there’s lots to explore. Zoomarine is a worthy family favourite thanks to its splash-tastic water park and dolphin shows. Or, if your little ones love stretching their legs, spend a day exploring the forest-topped peaks and quaint towns of the Monchique Mountains.

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