Things to Do in Vilamoura and Quarteira

Vilamoura is the Algarve’s polished, purpose-built resort: a big marina lined with restaurants and yachts, world-class golf, a casino and long beaches, with Roman ruins and a nature park thrown in. Here are the best things to do in Vilamoura and next-door Quarteira.

Quick answer: stroll the marina, play golf, relax on Praia da Falésia (its eastern end) or the beaches either side of the marina, take a dolphin or coastal boat trip, visit the Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila (€4), and see birds in the Environmental Park. Next door, Quarteira has a long promenade and a Wednesday market.

Things to do

The marina

One of the largest marinas in Portugal, ringed with restaurants, bars and shops. Lovely for an evening stroll and dinner by the yachts.

Beaches

Long sandy beaches stretch either side of the marina, and the eastern end of the stunning Praia da Falésia, with its red cliffs, is just to the west.

Golf

Vilamoura has several golf courses, including the Old Course, and the former Victoria course is now the private Els Club Vilamoura. See the best Algarve golf courses.

Boat trips

Dolphin-watching trips (about €33), coastal cave trips and sunset cruises leave from the marina. See Vilamoura boat trips.

Cerro da Vila

The remains of a Roman villa and fish-salting factory right next to the marina, with mosaics and a small museum. €4 for adults, free for children under 14. Open on weekdays, with a lunch break.

Vilamoura Environmental Park

About 200 hectares of wetland and trails west of the marina, with bird hides for spotting herons, flamingos and more.

Casino Vilamoura

The casino has gaming, shows and restaurants, and hosts poker tournaments.

Quarteira

The neighbouring town has a long seafront promenade, a busy fish market and a big weekly market on Wednesday mornings. The Aquashow water park is here too. See water park tickets.

Nearby

• Loulé: a Moorish-style market hall and a big Saturday market, 15 minutes inland.
• Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo: upmarket resorts and beach restaurants. See Algarve beach restaurants.
• Albufeira: 20 minutes west. See things to do in Albufeira.

Where to stay

See luxury hotels around Albufeira and Vilamoura (including Anantara) or browse Vilamoura and Quarteira stays. Getting here: about 25 minutes from Faro airport. See Faro airport transfers.

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