Praia da Falesia Holidays

Praia da Falesia Holidays – Space on the sand for everyone

Praia da Falesia takes its name from the rust-red cliffs that travel alongside much of the beach, (falesia is Portuguese for ‘cliff’). Families love this resort, partly because the gentle slope of the sand banks into the water makes the beach safe for children and inexperienced swimmers, and because there are plenty of places to eat and drink.

To work up an appetite or simply to take a break from the golden sands, take a stroll along the coastal path that runs through pine covered cliff tops. You can take a break at picturesque villages along the route, such as Açoteias and Olhos de Agua. There are plenty of water sports available at Vilamoura for the more energetic types, and you can also catch cooling sea breezes by taking a boat excursion.

Night-life is kept to a minimum, and will probably mean a relaxing stroll or a drink at one of the bars by the beach. For night-hawks there is everything you could want at Vilamoura.

When to go

Praia da Falesia is mainly a tranquil beach holiday, and is at its busiest during the high season when schools are on holiday – best to avoid those times if you want a quiet life. But there is more to a holiday at this resort and stretching out on the sands, and there is plenty to entertain you at other times of the year, especially during spring and autumn when the weather is still warm. Dolphin spotting, game fishing, cruises and boat trips operate for a large part holiday season, and autumn is an especially good time to enjoy cycling and horse riding in the beautiful countryside behind the town. And don’t forget – everywhere there is golf, golf, golf, which is a year-round activity, and better practised out of the searing summer sun.

The weather in Praia da Falesia

While grey skies, drizzle and heavy winter coats are about all you can hope for in the UK in April, Praia da Falesia will be starting to warm up for the summer with average temperatures of around 20º during the day, and eight hours of sunshine. Summer highs of 30º may be a bit too much for some people more acclimatised to northern temperatures, but beautiful autumnal soft days in the mid- to low-twenties are perfect; still shorts weather, but without the cool and small amount of rain you can expect from November to February. As spring rises through the 18º of March to May’s 22º, the countryside comes alive with vivid blossoms and floral aroma.

Getting the best deal

There is an enormous amount of self-catering accommodation in Praia da Falesia, and outside the main holiday dates of Easter, July and August, when you will also get the best deal on flights, you are almost certain to get good rates on accommodation. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t get some good deals if you are restricted to school holidays.

Have a look at all inclusive offers. These can save an enormous amount of money if you add up the total cost of drinks and meals you would pay for away from your hotel. It doesn’t mean that you have to eat every meal there, but it does mean that you might be able to splash out one night with the money you save.

A lot of family hotels now have kids clubs, spas, gymnasiums, and a lot more services than were on offer a few years ago. While you might not consider these a ‘deal’ in the usual sense of the word, if they keep everyone happy and keep the costs down they are definitely a ‘bonus’. Check below to see the best deals on offer, and keep an eye on our late deal offers.

Airport and transport need to know

With flights from twenty UK and Irish airports to Faro International Airport you won’t have any difficulty finding a flight to the Algarve. (See www.faroairportsguide.com/flights.php for a full list of flights and airlines.) Depending where you fly from, a flight will take from 2.5 to three hours, with a transfer from the airport to Praia da Falesia taking approximately forty minutes by taxi at a cost of 80€ (£65) for up to four people or 16€ (£13) in a shuttle bus, which you will need to book.

Eva Transportes run bus services throughout the Algarve, but there are no direct busses from Faro to Praia da Falesia from the airport so you will need to get a local bus or a taxi into the bus station in Faro town.

The best beaches in Praia da Falesia

The beach at Praia da Falesia is enormous, six kilometres long, stretching between Vilamoura and Albufeira, so you will be able to fling your Frisbees and beach balls about without fear of disturbing another sun worshipper. It is very much a family-orientated beach, or for couples looking for relaxation rather than a hectic water-sports life, although water skiing, windsurfing and sub-aqua diving are available. The beach is supervised during the busiest times of the summer season.

Albufeira’s Praia dos Pescadores, Fisherman's Beach, is close to the resort and very popular. Some of the Algarve’s biggest summer parties are held there, and well as an enormous firework display to celebrate Freedom Day on 25th April, and a huge bash on New Year’s Eve The beach is flat with calm waters, it ideal for families and swimmers, and you may well share it with local fishermen as they sit repairing their nets.

Praia de Vilamoura, also known as Praia da Marina, is said to be one of the top ten beaches in Europe, where you can chill out on huge Thai beds during the day and dance to local DJs at night at Purobeach in front of the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Hotel.