The Algarve

A hundred miles of the finest beaches, stunning red cliffs reflecting in the sunset, unspoilt villages and vibrant resorts - in fact all the ingredients of a perfect holiday in one of the best climates in the world…welcome to Portugal's beautiful Algarve.

The Algarve is anything you want it to be. In the east, the beaches and the old capital of Tavira are protected by a series of sandy 'ihlas' all the way along to the principal city of Faro with its busy post and fascinating Old Town. The regional airport is here too and a short drive leads to the exclusive resorts of Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura with their luxury homes and world-class facilities. View our portfolio of Algarve Villas

Inland from these developments through groves of citrus, olive and cork trees is another world of timeless villages and towns perched on hillsides with panoramic views across the coastal plain. We have villas and rural retreats for you here too.

Travelling westwards and here are the hallmark ochre-coloured cliffs and strangely shaped rock outcrops interspersed with sandy coves, which allow the visitor to escape the crowds even in the busiest times of the year. Fishing villages such as Carvoeiro and Ferrugado, more world-class golf courses like Penina, Gramacho and Palmares and the historic town of Solves dominated by its Moorish castle typify this quieter part of the Algarve. West again in the lee of the Monchique Hills through the coastal towns of Lagos and Portimao to Sagres where Henry the Navigator established his school of navigation and from where great explorers set sail on their voyages of discovery: this too is the Algarve.

Above all, the Algarve is there to enjoy: fresh, local produce, fine cuisine and delicacies such as spicy chicken piri-piri and great seafood, all accompanied by excellent Portuguese wines and one of the friendliest welcomes in Europe.

How do you get there?: Travelling to the Algarve

Almancil

Almancil is the main town servicing the resort areas of Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Dunas Douradas, Vale do Garrao, etc. It is close to the road and rail systems and has all the shops, supermarkets and restaurants needed for the convenience and enjoyment of visitors.

Villa Retreats has many fine houses in the surrounding area, ideal for those who prefer not to stay in the more established resorts, yet still have easy access to beaches and attractions.

View our portfolio of Almancil Villas

Alto Club

Close to the picturesque village of Alvor with its clean white beaches, clear blue ocean and dramatic sandstone cliffs you will find the Alto Golf & Country Club.

A beautiful resort set in acres of tropical gardens, ornamental pools and waterfalls. In addition to the golf course there are floodlit tennis courts, health and beauty centre, gymnasium, outdoor pool and children's paddling pool, gourmet restaurant and bars.

All residents at Alto Golf & Country Club have free membership of the indoor leisure complex including the large indoor heated pool, sauna, jacuzzi and solarium. The heated pool usually has reserved adult morning/evening sessions.

Cotton's bar and restaurant is the focal point of the Alto Golf and Country Club and is idyllically located in mature gardens with spectacular views across the swimming pool to the bay of Lagos. The restaurant serves regional and international cuisine in a relaxing environment and offers live music and dancing.

Alto Golf Course was opened in 1991 and is fast becoming recognized as one of the finest golf courses in the Algarve. The exclusive 18-hole par 72 golf course is situated just 5 minutes drive from the main country club and within walking distance of the Alto golf course apartments. Alto Golf was the last course designed by Sir Henry Cotton. Spread over two valleys, the course measures 6,125m from the back tees and boasts all the fine features normally found on a golf course near the sea, including wide, rolling fairways and challenging sloping greens - with stunning views of the Monchique Mountains as a backdrop. The course has its own clubhouse with a spacious, elegantly appointed bar and restaurant overlooking the 18th green.

View our portfolio of Alto Club

Carvoeiro

Carvoeiro is a charming village clustered around a small sandy cove sharing its beach with brightly coloured fishing boats. From here, sharply rising roads lead to mature areas of individual villas and leisure clubs such as Vale de Lapa and El Paraiso and it is in these developments that we find many of our retreats.

There is plenty to do in Carvoeiro and there are lots of bars and restaurants serving seafood and other local delicacies. It is also close to the main east-west roads, making it an ideal centre for access to Portimao and the inland areas of Silves and Monchique.

View our portfolio of Carvoeiro Villas

Central Algarve

The beaches of the Algarve extend in a virtually unbroken line right to Cape St. Vincent and they are nowhere more beautiful than in this central section. Beyond the exuberance of Albufeira are the superb beaches of San Rafael, Castelo, Gale and Salgado with a wealth of bars and restaurants, whilst inland is the town of Guia renowned for its chicken restaurants, specialising in the spicy, Mozambique-inspired Chicken Piri-Piri.

Guia is conveniently situated within easy reach of the main east-west roads and is also home to a modern shopping complex, 'Algarve Shopping' - ideal for when you crave 'retail therapy'!

View our portfolio of Villas in the Central Algarve

Parque da Floresta

Parque da Floresta resort is a superb all-round holiday destination, boasting a spectacular golf course and golf academy, outdoor heated swimming pool, children's pool and health and beauty spa.

The resort is available all year round and for those who do not want to enjoy the challenge of the spectacular golf course carved out of the surrounding hills, there is a whole range of other activities available close by including horse-riding, walking, 4WD safaris, cycling, windsurfing, canoeing and more.

There are restaurants on site or close by in seaside villages where freshly-caught fish are a favourite dish.

View our portfolio of Parque da Floresta Villas

Santa Barbara de Nexe Area

Behind the coastal strip and beyond citrus groves and rich farmland, the countryside rises and quiet country roads lead to unspoilt hillside villages and towns such as Santa Barbara de Nexe. These villages are, however, but no means remote and still have good access to the beaches and resorts. Their main attraction though, is their rustic ambience, with bars and restaurants offering delicious local food and countryside with superb views around every corner. Many of our houses in this area share these views. Relax with a glass of local wine and watch the sun set into the Atlantic.

Close by is the town of Loule where the weekly market is a magnet for locals and visitors alike: an ideal place to drink in the atmosphere and shop for fresh produce and attractive pottery. This area really is the best of both worlds.

View our portfolio of Santa Barbara de Nexe Villas

Vale do Garrao

This small well-planned residential development is surrounded by woodlands and lies between Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago. Vale do Garrao is ideally situated for the lovely sandy beach which can be reached by walking through woodlands or by road. Here too are popular beach-top restaurants where you can dine or just have a drink whilst enjoying views over the ocean.

Close by are restaurants of all tastes and the town of Almancil where supermarkets and all shopping needs can be found.

View our portfolio of Vale do Garrao Villas

Vale do Lobo and Surroundings

Vale do Lobo is a popular and established development close to long stretches of sandy beach where you can laze in the sun during the day or walk for miles in the clear morning or evening skies. Here there is a variety of mature and new houses surrounded by pine woodland and incorporating the famous Royal Golf Course with its spectacular signature 16th hole as well as the challenging links of the Ocean Course.

Facilities include the Tennis Academy with all-weather clay and floodlit courts, Barringtons health & leaisure club and the Penguin Children's Village at the Meridien Dona Filipe Hotel, which has facilities for children from 6 months to 12 years.

At Vale do lobo, there is something for everybody, whether families, teenagers or groups of friends.

The resort is bordered by other luxury developments such as Dunas Douradas, Encosta do Lobo and Fazenda Santiago, all of which boast a selection of superb villas, townhouses and apartments.

View our portfolio of Vale do Lobo Villas

Vila Sol

Vila Sol is a resort area with a superb golf course very conveniently located between Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura. The facilities of these established resorts are all within a few minutes' drive as are restaurants, beaches and the towns of Almancil and Quarteira.

View our portfolio of Vila Sol Villas

Vilamoura Area

The Vilamoura area combines traditional villages with the purpose-built resort and marina of Vilamoura itself. Here are the famous Old Course, Pinhal and Laguna Golf Clubs and a superb marina and yacht club. Brown's Sports & Leisure Club offers a full range of activities including tennis and squash, five-a-side and hockey pitches, archery, gymnasium and outdoor and indoor pools. In fact, in Vilamoura there are things to do for the active or more sedate vacationer from horse-riding, bowls and clay-pigeon shooting to jetski, windsurfing and game-fishing. The choice id yours and in the evening you just relax and enjoy the fine selection of bars, restaurants and clubs, not forgetting the Casino!

View our portfolio of Vilamoura Villas

Western Algarve

For many, this is the real Algarve, an area where there are no sprawling developments, yet where visitors can do as much or as little as they choose.

The port towns of Portimao and Lagos have shops, boutiques and supermarkets and both have colourful historic quarters with narrow cobbled streets and bars and restaurants serving excellent seafood and local and international delicacies. Nelson berthed his fleet in Lagos and much of the city has changed little since then, so take time to wander and enjoy.

Beyond Lagos, the small resort of Praia da Luz has one of the finest beaches in the area and close by, the delight of those ubiquitous red cliffs. Golfers have an unparalled choice of challenging courses at Penina, Palmares, Gramacho and more, whilst those who prefer the open countryside can drive inland to the lovely Monchique hills.

Don't miss the fort at Sagres and Cape St. Vincent; the cliffs here were the last sight of land for many of the great explorers on their way to the New World. The shrill cries of the gulls and the vastness of the Atlantic stretching toward the horizon evoke memories of that golden age.

View our portfolio of Western Algarve Villas

Quinta do Lago

Quinta do Lago is the premier resort on the Algarve with avenues of fine homes with manicured gardens interspersed by the major golf courses of San Lorenzo, Pinheiros Altos, Ria Formosa and Quinta North and South.

Beaches and restaurants are central to the area - don't miss Gigi's set in the dunes overlooking the inlet - whilst Quinta Shopping offers a choice of designer clothing and luxury goods as well as a supermarket and banks.

All our villas are located in either Quinta do Lago itelf or very close by in the Valverde or Pinheiros Altos areas.

View our portfolio of Quinta do Lago Villas