Vilamoura Holidays
Vilamoura Holidays – Holidays by design
Vilamoura was purpose-built as a holiday destination and is the largest private beach resort in Europe. Nothing that will make your holiday superb has been forgotten, whether it’s lounging on the beach, deep sea fishing or floating in the blue sky under a parasail.
A holiday in Vilamoura centres around the 1000-berth Marina, where you can watch the world go by at one of the relaxing bars, blow your holiday spends at one of the designer shops or simply take a stroll and admire the yachts of the super-rich. You can pretend you are one of them by taking one of the cruises that show you the mysterious caves and coves of the orange cliffs and the delightful villages along the coast.
Sporties, families, and golfers of all ages will find something to love in Vilamoura. The Old course has been one of Europe’s finest golf courses since it opened in 1969, which explains why the resort is one of Portugal’s most popular – and prestigious. For a dress-up night out, you can take a flutter at Vilamoura Casino which also has evening entertainment.
When to go to Vilamoura
For the sports minded there are a number of events in Vilamoura to put in the diary; the Vilamoura International Sailing Competition in February, International Triathlon in June, and International Horse Jumping events in July and September.
The resort is extremely well organised, but you will inevitably find longer queues at restaurants and for sports facilities during the high season and Easter break. As it was specifically designed as a resort you will find almost everything open during the cooler but more comfortable seasons of Spring and Autumn.
Weather in Vilamoura
Weather-wise, high temperatures during July and August, when the daytime temperature hover around the 30s, might make long walks through the local countryside or hectic games of tennis more of a punishment than a pleasure - so that’s the time to enjoy the beach and water sports. You can look forward to long sun-filled days from May to September, with only the slightest scattering of cloud and rain during Spring and Autumn. It’s worth packing a sweater if you plan to enjoy a winter break in Vilamoura, but even in December and January, when average daytime temperatures rarely drop below 16º, it will still feel like a warm summer’s day in the UK.
Getting the best deal to Vilamoura
Vilamoura has probably the widest spread of three, four and five star hotels in the same resort in Portugal, so it might be worth seeing if you can get a deal at a hotel of a higher star rating than you would usually stay at, instead of trying to find a deal at the lower end of the scale. This is more likely to be the case outside the usual deal-less periods of Easter and school holidays, but not all hotels have the same occupancy throughout the year, so it’s worth trying. If you can plan well in advance you might be able to get a flight at a reasonable price even during high season, but these are not as common as they once were. In fact, leaving it until the last moment could cost you dear.
To find the best deals in Vilamoura, look below, or visit our late deals offers.
Airport and transport need to know
Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter are just some of the twenty UK airports with routes to Faro, the only international airport in the Algarve. There are also regular flights from Gatwick, Stanstead and Luton airports, as well as Cork, Derry, Dublin and Belfast International for Irish visitors.
Vilamoura is only twenty-nine kilometres from Faro airport, and while there is no railway station in Vilamoura, a bus ride will cost just 3.75€ (£3) from Faro town. A 4-seater taxi will charge 27€ (£22) between 6am and 9pm Monday to Friday. All other times, including bank holidays (which will be different from those in the UK), will carry a 20% surcharge.
The best beaches in Vilamoura
Vilamoura has only two beaches, but they are both wonderful. To the west of the Marina, Praia da Rocha Baixinha is a long stretch of white sand that becomes Praia da Falésia as it approaches Albufeira. There is plenty of space for everyone to spread out and relax, but if you want something more active there is no shortage of water sports to choose from. A variety of beach bars on the boardwalk means you can enjoy a cold drink without having to carry a cool-box with you.
The Michelin Guide voted Praia da Marina, also known as Praia de Vilamoura, one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Europe. This is on the eastern side of the marina, and has plenty of sunbeds, shades and beach bars. If decadent beach lounging is your style, stretch out on the sofas and canopied beds (some of which have curtains for total privacy) at Purobeach in front of the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Hotel.
Both beaches are classified as Accessible Beaches, which means that they provide walkways and ramps that lead to the beach, as well as toilets for disabled people, a first aid post, and various aids and equipment that can be used in the sea as well as on the sand.
Useful links
www.vilamourauncovered.com
http://www.mydestination.com/algarve
