Pedro DominguesWhen visiting Vilamoura and Quarteira, you will be discovering one of the most touristic regions in Algarve, and also one of the most expensive. This price is clearly justified, after all there is a huge variety of things to do in Vilamoura, excellent beaches to enjoy, many activities to do in the surroundings, and also the best summer nightlife in southern Portugal.
Vilamoura has it all, not just the biggest marina in Portugal, full of luxury yachts to admire. It is located in the heart of the Algarve, very close to Albufeira and Faro, and also to Ria Formosa Natural Park, with fantastic islands and idyllic beaches.
In this article I will share with you all the essential tips to visit Vilamoura and Quarteira, without forgetting what you can also discover in the surroundings.
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Video of my own visit to Vilamoura, Quarteira and Albufeira
I’ll start by leaving a short video about my visit to the Algarve, where you can see beautiful images of Vilamoura, Quarteira and especially Albufeira. I have an article on this blog dedicated to the best beaches in Albufeira, in case you’re interested. 😉
Where are Vilamoura and Quarteira located in Portugal?
Vilamoura and Quarteira are part of the municipality of Loulé, the largest in Algarve, which extends from the Atlantic coast to the border with Alentejo. As an individual location, Vilamoura is not even a village: it stands out only as a luxury urbanization in the parish of Quarteira.
On the map below, you can see that Vilamoura and Quarteira are located in the middle of the Algarve coast, making it a great base for exploring the region.
Useful tips to visit Vilamoura and Quarteira
1. Rent a Car to visit Vilamoura and Quarteira
To visit Vilamoura, a car will help anyone who wants to go explore the beaches in the region, apart from those next to center. I leave you a link to Discover Cars, that I always use when I need to compare prices between rental companies and make my own car reservations.
2. How to get to Vilamoura and Quarteira?
As for how to get to Vilamoura and Quarteira, it is very easy, because Algarve airport is located in Faro, not far from those two locations. I recommend using Skyscanner and Google Flights to do some research before buying your tickets, comparing prices and flight conditions.
If you are already travelling in Portugal, and want to use train connections or even buses, check Rome2Rio website, to find out your possibilities. For bus tickets in Algarve, use Rede Expressos or Vamus Algarve; for trains, use CP – Comboios de Portugal.
3. Take out Travel Insurance to visit Vilamoura and Quarteira
To be protected against several types of travel hazards, I also recommend that you take out travel insurance for your stay in Algarve, and I recommend to do it with World Nomads.
4. When to visit Vilamoura and Quarteira
Certainly the best season is summer if you want to enjoy the beaches. However, I also mention the many events and festivities in the municipality of Loulé throughout the year. Of particular note are the Festivities of the Sovereign Mother, at Easter time, or the Popular Marches of Quarteira, in June.
5. What to eat and where to eat when visiting Vilamoura and Quarteira?
When I visited Algarve, I focused on fish and seafood, and I recommend you do the same. How about trying the Tuna Muxama, the Seafood Cataplana, the Octopus, or even the Grilled Sardines?
In Quarteira I had dinner at Restaurant o Búzio. I opted for a delicious Arroz de Lingueirão (Razor Clam Rice), which you can also try, and at the end I tasted a fantastic carob mousse, also fabulous.
Other restaurant suggestions: Bragança Mar, O Marisco, Oliveira Dourada, O Jacinto.
6. Accommodation tips in Vilamoura and Quarteira?
| Alojamento | Pontuação | Localização |
|---|---|---|
| Tivoli Marina | 8.5 | Vilamoura |
| Pestana Vila Sol | 7.9 | Vilamoura |
| Vila Gale Marina | 8.0 | Vilamoura |
| Anantara Vilamoura | 8.8 | Vilamoura |
| Crowne Plaza | 8.9 | Vilamoura |
| The Lake Resort | 9.0 | Vilamoura |
| Laguna Resort | 8.8 | Vilamoura |
| Residences at Victoria | 8.8 | Vilamoura |
| Prado Villas | 8.9 | Vilamoura |
| Vilamoura Garden Hotel | 8.6 | Vilamoura |
| Aquashow Park Hotel | 8.7 | Quarteira |
| Solgarve | 8.7 | Quarteira |
| Rei Apartment | 8.9 | Quarteira |
| Hostel Conii & Suites | 9.2 | Quarteira |
Things to do in Vilamoura and Quarteira?
And now, the main things to do in Vilamoura and Quarteira, and also what to see and visit in these tourist locations in Algarve. I decided to divide this article into the following sections:
- Visit Vilamoura and Quarteira
- Visit the Historic Center of Loulé
- Visit the best beaches in Albufeira near Vilamoura
- Visit Faro and Ria Formosa, as a trip from Vilamoura
- Other places around Vilamoura and Quarteira
Map | Things to do in Vilamoura and Quarteira
Visit Vilamoura and Quarteira
I had already been warned that Vilamoura was a completely different Algarve, and that is true, and you can feel it when visiting the region. It’s a very fancy place.
1. Vilamoura Marina, Casino and Nightlife
For me, visiting Vilamoura is mainly for those with more money, which is not necessarily a negative thing, quite the contrary! If you have the money, why not spend it in comfort and luxury?
- Take the opportunity to explore the largest marina in Portugal, a vibrant place full of energy and with so many things to visit.
- Have fun at Vilamoura casino and enjoy the best nightlife in Algarve at fantastic clubs. Have you heard about Bliss, for example? There are many bars in the marina area itself and within walking distance.
- Spend the night in a 4 or 5 star hotel.
2. Avenues Eng. João Meireles and Vilamoura XXI
After a visit to Vilamoura Marina, be sure to visit the main avenues next to it, namely the ones called Eng. João Meireles and Vilamoura XXI, which will give you a better idea of why this place is considered of luxury and for the wealthy in Algarve.
3. Vilamoura Beach
I confess that I didn’t go to the beach when I visited Vilamoura, because I opted for the one in Quarteira and others in Albufeira and Faro. However, knowing that they are close to each other, you can do it.
4. Cerro da Vila Archaeological Station, in Vilamoura
Still in Vilamoura, you should visit Cerro da Vila Archaeological Station. It is right next to Vilamoura Marina, and the ruins that can be visited date back to the occupations of the Romans, Visigoths and Arabs in this region of southern Portugal.
5. Quarteira Beach
Watch a sunset in Quarteira, more precisely by the beach. It wasn’t my favorite in Algarve, but the sunset was beautiful.
6. Theme Parks in Quarteira and Vilamoura
I also leave you with useful information about some theme parks in the region, which can provide you with excellent full-day experiences when visiting Vilamoura and Quarteira:
- AquaShow Park. It is a theme water park that also has a hotel at your disposal. The park is open in the warmer months, and offers numerous leisure and fun activities, such as slides, wave pools, roller coasters, etc. All mixed with water. I leave you a link to find out more about all the attractions and activities it promotes!
- Family Golf Park. I think from the name you can already understand what it is about. How about playing some golf? I leave you a link to learn more.
- You can also go for the big golf courses, such as Dom Pedro, but there are many others.
- Almancil karting. It promotes activities both for adults and children. I think it can be really fun! 😉 More info here.
- Want more? Don’t worry, there’s more: you’ve got a tennis club, a bowling club, a shooting club, and many more places to enjoy during you stay. These are just some of the best tips.
Visit the Historic Center of Loulé
The center of Loulé is also worth a visit, after all it is the center of the county which includes Vilamoura and Quarteira.
- The first stop on a visit to Loulé should be Republic Square, the heart of the city. There, it will be easy to find both the City Hall and the imposing Municipal Market, dating from 1908 and with some Arab influence. This is the most spectacular market in Algarve.
- Next is Loulé Clock Tower, which is next to the Town Hall. It was once part of the defensive walls of the city, belonging to the castle.
- Also next to the Town Hall is the Memory House of Duarte Pacheco, where today you can visit an exhibition on the 2nd World War and on the forced labor to which the people of Loulé were then subjected.
- Still in Republic Square, next to Café Calcinha, I came across a curious statue of António Aleixo, famous for his poetry.
- Be sure to admire the most colorful alleys of Loulé, next to the aforementioned square.
- Before heading to the castle, you should visit the Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, lined with beautiful tiles inside.
- Loulé Castle is of Arab origin dating back to the 8th century. It is possible to climb the wall for a view and then visit the municipal museum inside.
- Also pass by Dom Pedro I square, with a famous fountain in the city, called Bicas Velhas.
- Get to know the Old Town of Loulé, visiting the Convent of Espírito Santo, the Mother Church (13th century), and Amuados Garden.
- Fonte do Cadoiço was the place that most disappointed me in the city of Loulé. It is a lagoon with a waterfall that has beautiful pictures on the internet, but I found it small and dirty, or I was very unlucky on the day I chose to visit it.
- Of Misericórdia Church, its well-preserved Manueline portico stands out. As for the neighboring Convent of Graça, the huge portico is the only thing that still survives.
- To finish off Loulé, how about taking a stroll through the municipal park? Why don’t you visit Gama Lobo Palace, headquarters of Creative Loulé? Do not forget the Sovereign Mother Sanctuary, which provides an excellent viewpoint over the city.
Visit the best beaches in Albufeira near Vilamoura
As for fantastic beaches to visit near Vilamoura and Quarteira, I obviously have to highlight two that are located in Albufeira: Falésia Beach and Olhos de Água. But there are many others that you can find in my article dedicated to Albufeira.
1. Falésia Beach
Falésia Beach stands out for its unique appearance in Algarve, mainly caused by the contrast of its orange cliffs and greenish waters. It consists of several stretches of beach that go from Vilamoura Marina to Olhos de Água, of which I highlight Rocha Baixinha (or Tomatoes Beach), and also Barranco das Belharucas.
Don’t forget to go up to Falésia viewpoint, next to the last beach mentioned. From there, the view is fabulous, both for the extraordinary rock formations of Olhos de Água, and for the entire sandy beach of Falésia, all the way to Vilamoura.
2. Olhos de Água Beach
Olhos de Água beach is in my top list of beaches in Algarve, being my favorite in Albufeira, and for me, much better than Vilamoura beach or Quarteira beach. Did you know that its name comes from the existence of fresh water springs (“olheiros de agua doce”) that sprout from the sand next to the sea?
These freshwater springs are unusual but easy to explain. Basically, they are discharges of fresh water from underground lines in the region. As fresh water is less dense than salt water, the turbulence generated makes it easier to distinguish them when they emerge from the sand.
I also mention that this is a fishermen’s beach, so you will find there several colorful fishing boats and many other utensils associated with them.
Visit Faro and Ria Formosa, on a trip from Vilamoura
Another possibility, also on the outskirts of Vilamoura and Quarteira, is the municipality of Faro, namely its historic center and its islands and idyllic beaches in Ria Formosa Natural Park.
1. Historic Center of Faro
In the historic center of Faro, I recommend parking next to the walls, more precisely in São Francisco Square. From there, get to know the Old Town of Faro main tourist attractions:
- The Resting Arch (12th/13th centuries), which is one of the entrances in the city walls. These walls, in turn, appeared in the 9th century, during the Arab occupation, and were built to replace or complement others of late-Roman origin.
- Faro Municipal Museum and Dom Afonso III Square. The museum is housed in the former Convent of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, from the 16th century, and its main exhibitions consist of archaeological artifacts and sacred art.
- The Old Beer Factory, located where the Castle of Faro once stood. You can also visit the Municipal Gallery of Contemporary Art.
- The New Gate of Faro, with access to the New Gate pier, from where boat trips to the islands of Ria Formosa depart.
- The Church of Santa Maria (Faro Cathedral), built shortly after the reconquest from the Moors, in the same place where there was a Muslim mosque. You can visit its museum and also climb the tower to enjoy excellent views over Ria Formosa.
- Faro’s Town Gate and the Arab Door, the latter dating back to the 11th century. There you can visit an interpretive center about the history of the city.
- Manuel Bivar Garden, Faro Marina and the surrounding monuments, such as Misericórdia Church and Bank of Portugal building. Don’t forget Café Aliança, one of the oldest in Portugal, opened in 1908.
- The Bivar Palace, from the 18th century, considered the best example of neoclassical civil architecture in Algarve.
- The busiest street in the city of Faro, full of shops and restaurants: Rua de Santo António.
- Liberty Square and Algarve Regional Museum.
- And finally, the Church of São Pedro and also the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, with a fabulous Chapel of Bones to visit, in the style of those found in Alentejo, when visiting Évora or even Campo Maior, not far from Elvas.
If you want more details on things to do in Faro, follow the link to the dedicated article on this blog. 😉 If you prefer, you can choose to buy a Guided Walking Tour with civitatis.
2. Ria Formosa Islands from Faro
From Faro, you can also visit some of the fabulous islands of Ria Formosa, namely Culatra/Farol island, and Deserted Island, where Santa Maria Cape is located, the southernmost point of mainland Portugal. The first is inhabited, while the second is totally wild! 😉
To get to these islands you have 2 options: either you use the regular public boats to cross the river, or you buy a tour. You can check the timetables for public boats here, bearing in mind that you can also depart to Culatra from Olhão. In fact, Faro may not guarantee access to Culatra/Farol all year round, but Olhão does.
Faro Island Beach is also worth mentioning, but can be reached by car, as an access bridge was built over Ria Formosa.
- From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour
- Ria Formosa Eco Boat Trip from Faro
- Deserta and Farol Islands Cruise from Faro
Vilamoura and Quarteira | Other nearby places to visit
Also visit Almancil and its Church of São Lourenço, lined with tiles inside, dating from the 18th century.
There are also other beaches in the region, which in my opinion fall short of the ones mentioned above, but which can be a good extra for a few more days visiting Vilamoura and Quarteira.
- Forte Novo Beach
- Almargem beach
- Old Loulé Beach
- Vale do Lobo beach, perhaps the best known!
- Garrão Beach
- Ancão Beach
- And Quinta do Lago Beach, in the entry to Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Guided Tours to visit Algarve and Vilamoura region
Why don’t you go on a specific tour in the region? Below are examples of possible guided tours in Algarve with Civitatis, Viator and Get Your Guide, but if you do your own research, you will find even more alternatives on these websites. 😉 Check at least the ones related with Ria Formosa, Faro and Albufeira. Go swim with the dolphins, for example!
Guided Tours with Get Your Guide: 1 - Tavira Tuk Tuk City Tour 2 - Albufeira: Benagil Caves & Dolphin Watching Speed Boat Tour 3 - Portimão: Benagil Caves Speed Boat Tour with Sunset Option 4 - From Lagos: Boat Cruise to Ponta da Piedade 5 - From Faro: 4 Stops, 3 Islands in Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour 6 - Benagil Caves and Secret Spots Guided Kayaking Tour 7 - 1-Hour Carrapateira Horseback Riding Tour 8 - From Albufeira: Half-Day Algarve Jeep Safari 9 - From Lagos: Kayaking and Boat Cave Explorer Tour 10 - Loulé: TechSalt’s Rock-Salt Mine Tour 11 - Portimão: Pirate Ship Cave Cruise 12 - Albufeira: Single, Double or Triple Parasailing Tour
Guided Tours with Viator: 1 - Dolphins and Benagil Caves from Albufeira 2 - Boat trip to the caves of Benagil (from Lagos) 3 - Benagil Caves Tour from Portimao 4 - Benagil Cave tour from Faro 5 - Benagil Long Boat tour (From Carvoeiro to Praia da Marinha) 6 - Boat Tour to Benagil Caves from Armacao de Pera 7 - Kayaking in Secret Algarve Benagil Caves 8 - Benagil Area Kayak and SUP (from Albufeira) 9 - Kayak Trip in Lagos and Ponta da Piedade 10 - Parasailing from Albufeira Marina by Boat 11 - Coasteering and Cliff Jumping Near Lagos 12 - 2 hour Off-Road Buggy Adventure Tour from Albufeira 13 - Jeep Safari in the Algarve Mountains (Albufeira) 14 - Sunset Tour on a Luxury Sailing Yacht from Vilamoura 15 - Ria Formosa Natural Park and Islands Boat Cruise from Faro 16 - Boat trip to the 3 Islands of Ria Formosa (Olhão) 17 - Classic Food Tour in Lagos 18 - Wine Tasting Tour from Albufeira 19 - Tandem Skydiving in Algarve 20 - 2 Hour Surf Lesson at the Algarvian West Coast
Guided Tours with Civitatis: 1 - Tuk Tuk Tour in Tavira 2 - Benagil Caves Speed Boat Ride from Portimão 3 - Ponta da Piedade Caves Kayak Tour from Lagos 4 - Ponta da Piedade Caves Boat Trip from Lagos 5 - Albufeira Half Day Safari Tour 6 - Faro Walking Tour 7 - Parasailing in Albufeira 8 - Ria Formosa Eco Boat Trip from Faro 9 - Benagil Caves Boat Tour from Carvoeiro 10 - Deserta and Farol Islands Cruise from Faro 11 - Lagos Dolphin Watching or Dolphin Watching in Albufeira 12 - Sagres Coast Sunset Jeep Tour from Lagos
Other Itineraries and Travel Guides in Portugal
- N2 Portugal Road Trip Itinerary
- Madeira Itinerary and Travel Guide
- São Miguel Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Terceira Itinerary and Travel Guide (Azores)
- Pico Itinerary in Azores
- Faial Itinerary in Azores
- Minho | Northern Portugal Itinerary
- Porto Itinerary and Travel Guide
- Things to do In Braga (Minho)
- Things to do in Guimarães (Minho)
- Things to do in Viana do Castelo (Minho)
- Peneda Gerês National Park Itinerary
- Douro Valley Itinerary
- Trás-os-Montes Itinerary
- Things to do in Bragança
- Montesinho Natural Park Itinerary
- Douro International Natural Park Itinerary
- Things to do in Aveiro
- Things to do in Coimbra
- Things to do in Leiria
- Things to do in Fatima
- Things to do in Nazaré
- Things to do in Peniche
- Things to do in Évora (Alentejo)
- Things to do in Beja (Alentejo)
- Algarve Road Trip Itinerary
- Things to do in Lagos (Algarve)
- Things to do in Portimão (Algarve)
- Things to do in Faro (Algarve)
- Things to do in Tavira (Algarve)
I hope you enjoy visiting this city of my country. 😉 If this article with Things to do in Vilamoura and Quarteira was useful for you, please send me your feedback below, in the comment section.
