Places of interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Palmyra Club is set within the forested landscape of the Vila Sol golf course. It is located next to the 5 star Vila Sol hotel and is only a few minutes walk from the golf academy, Club house and tennis centre. Vilamoura and its fabulous marina is less than a few minutes away by car.

 

 

 

Vila Sol

The Vila Sol Spa and Golf resort,  a luxury development nestled between Vilamoura and Quarteira, is situated just 20 minutes drive from Faro airport.  Vila Sol is an excellent choice for a short golf break or a family holiday at any time of the year. The resort lies within an estate of some 150 hectares of stunning natural scenery, containing a 27 hole championship golf course designed by the famous architect Donald Steel, a five star luxury hotel, tennis courts, 6 distinctive restaurants and two bars. The Vila Sol Shopping Centre has now opened its doors and offers great facilities including an Irish bar also serving food, an international restaurant, a Deli France coffee shop, Barclays bank and various other shops.

Vilamoura 

The marina acts as the central hub of Vilamoura and features a large selection of restaurants, shops and bars. The area surrounding the marina is largely pedestrianised (apart from those requiring access to the stunning array of sailing and power boats yachts moored at the marina) and this makes it a very popular (and safe) place to go for a stroll in the evening. The Portuguese footballer Figo, owns a bar and restaurant here as well as an Internet café (Sete Café).  Shops range from smaller stalls selling local items to upmarket boutiques such as Gant, Lacoste and Hugo Boss. Vilamoura is famed for its excellent golf courses, but other sporting activities are also well represented including horse-riding, lawn bowls, tennis and a plethora of water sports. Towards the eastern end of the marina walkway you can find plenty of aquatic activities: coastal cruises, big game fishing and para-sailing, amongst others. Algarve Seasfar is one of several watersports companies in Vilamoura offering boat charters, jet ski hire, parascending and dolphin-watching cruises.  

·          Vilamoura Tennis Centre is a fantastic tennis club offering 12 courts and professional tuition for all levels.  

·          Browns Sports & Leisure Club in Vilamoura offers a good combination of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities including tennis, basketball, hockey, an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, a gymnasium, exercise studio and a children's activity program. The club's Bar & Grill offers lunch and evening menus.  

·          Vilamoura Lawn Bowling Club is a friendly and professional club established in 1993 with great facilities catering for visiting holidaymakers as well as permanent members. The club offers a range of activities in addition to lawn bowling. Included are an indoor pool, squash courts, tennis courts and a gymnasium.   

·          The Vilamoura riding school is both professional and friendly, and offers cross country riding  as well as riding tuition inside the stable. 

·          Clay pigeon shooting, gun hire and tuition are available at Clay Pigeon Shooting Vilamoura. 

Vilamoura nightlife 

Visit the casino in Vilamoura which also features a restaurant, cabaret bar, and is home to the famous Blackjack Disco Club which is open nightly from June to September and on weekends throughout the year. Or checkout the choice of chilled lounge bars in Vilamoura, such as the popular Jazz Club situated on Praça do Cinema where you can expect live, quality jazz and a chilled vibe. Kadoc, on Estrada de Vilamoura, has become an area landmark, and is the largest club in the Algarve, featuring 5 dance floors and capable of accommodating 7000 guests at any one time. It also has an open air terrace and is usually open all night,  closing at 7am.

Quarteira 

Adjacent to Vilamoura and along the Quarteira beach is one of the area's best features: the Avenida Marginal de Quarteira. This promenade stretches several kilometres from the harbour and eastwards to the Vale do Lobo resort. The promenade is fringed by sweeping palms and an array of colourful flowers. There is a good selection of restaurants and bars to choose from, most of which can be found on the western section, and at the far end, nightly entertainment includes live outdoor music concerts, entertainers, musicians and other artists on display. Every Wednesday, Quarteira holds the weekly gypsy market, a bustling affair with an assorted range of goods on sale. Beat the maddening crowds and get there early (it starts at 8 am and finishes at 1 pm).      

Local Attractions 

Aquashow Water Park can be found approximately 1km away from Vila Sol. It is a fun water park and caters for all the family with a selection of rides for adrenalin-junkies as well as more gentle rides for those of a more thrill-averse disposition.  Water Roller-coaster is the highest roller-coaster in Portugal and towers an impressive twenty or so metres in the air. This high-powered log-flume ride lasts about 5 minutes and speeds of over 70km per hour are reached. The park is also home to a bird park which features birds of prey and tropical birds, such as parrots and macaws. There are bird demonstrations and shows throughout the day, giving you some time to dry off from the water slides. The park is open from May until the end of September.  

Zoomarine is located approximately 30 minutes drive from Vilamoura and is well worth a visit, providing a reasonably priced and complete day out for all ages. There are several performances a day by the dolphins and their trainers, a Peter Pan adaptation by the seals and sea lions and displays by tropical birds of prey. Should your pocket allow it, there is also the once in the lifetime opportunity to swim and interact with dolphins (however booking is essential during busy summer periods).

Go-Karting is located in Almancil, and offers a great day out for all ages. With small, medium and large go-karts and tracks there is something to suit everyone! There are also bungy trampolines, mini boats, a mechanical bull and snack bar. Krazy World in Algoz is also a great day out offering 2 crazy golf courses, a crocodile park, swimming pools, petting farm, bouncy castles and great restaurants serving home-made food.  

Local Beaches

The Vilamoura beach joins the Praia da Falesia beach and is ideal for families. Even baby buggies can pass along the wooden walkways to reach this vast expanse of beautiful, unspoilt beach.  You can find several charming restaurants dotted along the coastline.     

Quarteria is a popular beach for the locals and can be very busy in the summer.  Walk along the long "calçada" promenade for an evening stroll or sit in one of the many cafés or restaurants.