Albufeira

A bustling town, yet Albufeira still retains the charm of its fishing village roots. Indeed you will find that there is still a thriving fishing industry and every night the horizon is lit by the lights of hundreds of tiny fishing boats.

Explore the old town and picturesque harbour, and the cobbled streets that are filled with inexpensive restaurants serving traditional fare and delicious seafood. There are an enormous range of shops and a daily market mainly selling fruit, vegetables and fish. Handicrafts and jewellery are also on sale and there's often evening entertainment in the pretty town square.

There are two main beaches. The town beach is reached via a tunnel that cuts through the cliff side. It is a wide and sandy beach with bars, restaurants and water sports centres. The fishermen's beach is often lined with fishing boats that have been dragged out of the retreating surf until the next high tide.

Areias de São João
Beside the beautiful sandy beach of Praia da Oura is the family resort of Areias de São João. There is a multitude of shops, bars and restaurants as well as hotels, apartments and a number of detached villas with their own pools tucked away in peaceful cul-de-sacs. The atmosphere is certainly bustling, yet family orientated with lots for the whole family to do.

There are comprehensive water sports available on the beach, sporting facilities and a water slide park in nearby Montechoro and a whole host of entertainment that begins early enough in the evening for the children to enjoy. It is an ideal resort for families who want the privacy of their villa with all amenities within walking distance.

Olhos D'Agua
The village of Olhos D'Agua sits beside a beautiful sandy beach and has a bustling, friendly atmosphere with several bars and restaurants serving freshly caught fish. Many private villas in superb, peaceful locations sit atop the cliffs with lovely sea views, most just a short walk from the beach and facilities.

Guia
A small village to the west of Albufeira, famed for its choice of restaurants. With a choice of superb sandy beaches within a short drive, such as São Raphael, Galé and Castelo which offer water sports and beach restaurants during the summer season.

Alcantrillha
A typically Algarvean community hardly touched by tourism. Walk through its cobbled streets with small family run shops and a fruit, vegetable and fish market held in what was the village prison some 100 years ago. Alcantrillha is at the centre of a region of mainly agricultural land, taking in the rural communities of Caliços, Faxelas and Monte da Borrachina where peace and quiet are almost guaranteed.

Just to the south is Armação da Pêra, a thriving resort with comprehensive tourist facilities, yet fishermen's cottages still make up the core of this ancient village and there is still a daily fish market. The beach is quite superb and one of the longest in the Algarve. It stretches almost to Albufeira in the east, with mile after mile of soft golden sand. There are several restaurants on the beach and water sport facilities include windsurfing and water-skiing.