Vale do Lobo is a very popular region in the Algarve. It was designed in the sixties with golf in mind, so there are two championship courses amongst the fragrant pine trees and a wonderful beachfront. The main square buzzes with bars and restaurants. The 2km sweep of golden sands are edged by distinctive terracotta cliffs, and the Atlantic waves are just waiting for swimmers and watersports fans. The challenging Royal Golf Course will see you teeing off along the cliff edge, and at the famously tricky 16th hole, golfers have to drive across ravines.
Ten to fifteen minutes away from here is the village of Sao Lourenco with its pretty 18th century church with fabulous Portuguese style blue and white tiles. Ten minutes further is Loule, a charming, typical Portuguese market town centred around the North African inspired covered market. Its local produce and fresh fish stalls are so atmospheric. It is a great place to stock up the villa. It is even more buzzy on Saturdays with the farmers market arriving.
Vilamoura is a sporting haven with golf courses, horse riding, football pitches, watersports and a top tennis academy on offer. The Old Course, set in an umbrella pinewood, is the second oldest golf course in the Algarve. Vilamoura Marina has been awarded International Marina of the Year 2019/2020 by The Yacht Harbour Association. The 420 World Championship was held at Vilamoura in 2019 with 540 sailors from 35 countries competing for nine days. There are so many high-class bars and restaurants around the marina as well as amazing, luxury yachts bobbing around. There are two amazing beaches, several of the regions leading spas and a fabulous casino.
The Ria Formosa Nature Park is a network of barrier islands and inlets created by constantly shifting sandbanks. It is east of Faro and can be seen as you fly in. Ferry boats take visitors from Faro and Olhao to the remote islands of Barreta, Culatra, Armona and Ilha Tavira. It is very beautiful.