Even though Lukáš and I spend every winter in the Algarve, with our hearts really beating for the wild cliffs and surf beaches around Lagos, Vilamoura in Portugal is a completely different world that’s well worth seeing. Whenever we drive along the coast towards Faro airport, we sometimes stop here for a coffee, and we’re always amazed at just how much this place differs from the rest of southern Portugal.
It’s a sort of little Monaco of the Algarve, where instead of crumbling fishermen’s shacks you’ll find luxury hotels rising up, and million-euro yachts bobbing in the harbour. You won’t find a traditional historic centre full of tiles here, but rather a perfectly planned resort that grew up around Portugal’s largest marina and its top-class golf courses.
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a bit of luxury, excellent service and gorgeously long beaches, you’ve come to exactly the right spot. In this article I’ll show you 15 tips for the very best things to experience here, plus some practical advice on where to stay and how to save on food.
TL;DR
- The heart of the resort is the Marina de Vilamoura, around which all the nightlife, restaurants and boutiques are concentrated.
- Right by the town begins the gorgeous Praia da Falésia, offering 6 kilometres of golden sand and orange cliffs.
- Vilamoura is one of the best golf destinations in Europe, with 5 championship courses including the famous Old Course.
- It’s one of the pricier spots in the Algarve, but if you head one street back from the marina for a meal, the prices drop noticeably.
- It has no classic historic centre — it was designed as a modern resort, so for a more authentic experience you’ll need to head to neighbouring Quarteira.
- From Faro airport you can be here in roughly 30 minutes, and within the resort itself you don’t really need a car.
When to visit Vilamoura
The best time to visit depends mainly on what you expect from your holiday. If you’re coming purely for swimming and sunbathing, the warmest weather runs from June to September. Just bear in mind that in July and August the resort is bursting at the seams and accommodation prices shoot right up.
For Lukáš and me, spring and autumn are the loveliest times in the Algarve. Months like May, June or September and October still offer gorgeous weather, but you’ll dodge the biggest crowds. Autumn in particular is absolutely ideal for golfers, since the temperatures are pleasant and green fees often work out better than in peak season.
Winter in Vilamoura is very quiet, even sleepy. While we’re out surfing on the west coast even in January, here plenty of venues close up for the winter and life slows right down to a minimum. That said, it’s still beautifully sunny for long walks along the beach.
Where to stay in Vilamoura
💡 Tip for accommodation and experiences: We love searching for places to stay on Booking.com, which usually has the best cancellation terms. For tickets, tours and activities, it’s worth comparing and booking through GetYourGuide.
Vilamoura was built with a clear goal: to give visitors maximum comfort and top-notch service. You won’t find many small family-run guesthouses here — the scene is dominated by large, superbly equipped resorts that are easy to book through Booking.
If you want to be right in the thick of things by the marina and a short walk from the beach, the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort is an absolute classic. It’s a luxury five-star hotel with gorgeous views over the yachts, and home to the renowned Purobeach beach club, a wonderful spa and outdoor pools.
For families with children and golf lovers, the Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort is a great choice. It sits a little further from the beach, but offers five pools (including one just for adults), excellent kids’ clubs and, best of all, a free shuttle bus straight to the Victoria and Dom Pedro golf courses.
Another huge draw is the Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa, which boasts the largest wellness centre in all of Portugal. You’ll be won over by its gorgeous cascading pools and easy access to Falésia beach, making it the ideal compromise for both couples and families.
15 things to see and do in Vilamoura
Let’s take a look at the very best this resort has to offer. I’ll tell you where to head out for nature, where to enjoy a luxurious dinner and which excursions you absolutely mustn’t skip.
1. Stroll around the Marina de Vilamoura
The harbour is the absolute heart and soul of the whole town. With more than a thousand berths, it’s the largest marina in all of Portugal, and this is exactly where you’ll understand why Vilamoura is nicknamed the Monaco of the Algarve.
It’s lined with dozens of restaurants, luxury boutiques and cafés. We always love just wandering around here, gazing at those enormous gleaming yachts and soaking up that elegant seaside atmosphere. The whole promenade will happily take you half an hour of slow walking.
💡 Tip: Prices at the restaurants right on the waterfront are, understandably, the highest. If you want to save, just head one street back from the marina, where you’ll find picturesque little squares with equally good food but at far more reasonable prices.
2. Relax on Praia da Falésia
This is, without exaggeration, one of the most iconic beaches in all of Portugal. It stretches an incredible 6 kilometres from Vilamoura to the town of Olhos d’Água, and its defining feature is the towering orange and red cliffs of limestone and clay.
In places the cliffs reach up to 40 metres high and form an incredible contrast with the turquoise ocean. The beach regularly earns the Blue Flag award for cleanliness, the sand here is beautifully fine, and thanks to its length you’ll always find a little spot just for yourself.
From the centre of Vilamoura you can walk here in roughly 20 minutes, or you can grab an Uber. The car park right at the foot of the cliffs only has a few dozen spaces, so in summer I’d recommend setting off really early in the morning if you want any chance of parking.
3. Try the town beach Praia da Marina
If you don’t fancy walking far, the main town beach, Praia da Marina, lies right on the eastern side of the harbour. It’s a very modern, fashionable beach where you’ll find complete beach service, including sun loungers and parasols.
Compared to the wild Falésia, this beach is much more organised and polished. The water here is fairly calm and the entry into the sea is gentle, which families with younger children will especially appreciate.
It’s exactly the kind of place you can nip down to from your hotel in flip-flops, enjoy a cocktail at the beach bar in the afternoon, and in the evening you’re just a few steps back into the buzz of the resort.
4. Hop on a dolphin-watching boat trip
The Algarve is famous for the fact that you can watch dolphins in the wild here. Several companies set sail from the Vilamoura harbour every day, and it’s an experience that thrills not only children but adults too.
Trips usually last around two hours and prices range from €42 to €47 per person. The boat crews are highly experienced and know exactly where the dolphins tend to hang out, so the success rate for sightings is said to be around an incredible 90 percent.
💡 Tip: I’d recommend booking tickets for these trips online in advance, for instance through the popular GetYourGuide platform. In peak summer season the boats can easily sell out several days ahead.
5. Discover the famous Benagil cave
Once you’re on the boat, it would be a huge shame not to visit Portugal’s most famous sea cave. From Vilamoura there are combined trips that pair dolphin watching with a cruise to Algar de Benagil.
This cave is unique because it has a huge circular opening in its ceiling, through which sunbeams pour in and light up the small sandy beach inside. It’s a truly magical sight that you simply can’t see from land.
These extended trips take roughly two and a half hours and start from €53. Again, it’s best to reserve your spot on the boat well in advance online, because the Benagil cave is probably the most sought-after attraction on the entire south coast.
6. Play world-class golf
For golfers, Vilamoura is something of a Mecca. You’ll find five top-class 18-hole championship courses here, ranking among the very best in all of Europe. The first course was built here as far back as the late 1960s.
The most prestigious is the historic Old Course from 1969, designed by the renowned architect Frank Pennink. If you follow professional tournaments, you’ll certainly recognise the Victoria course too, designed by Arnold Palmer, which regularly hosts European Tour events.
Bear in mind that golf here isn’t exactly a cheap affair. Indicative green fees at courses like Millennium or Laguna start at around €120, while a round on the famous Old Course can easily set you back over €200.
7. Dive into history at Cerro da Vila
You might not expect it in such a modern resort, but just a short walk from the luxury marina lie the precious Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila. It’s a fascinating contrast to those modern yachts nearby.
These are the remains of an ancient Roman seaside villa dating from the first to fifth centuries AD. You’ll see the foundations of the old baths, courtyards and beautiful mosaics, proving that wealthy people were already coming here to relax two thousand years ago.
The site also includes a small museum whose exhibition traces five thousand years of the region’s history. Admission for an adult is just €4, and the site is usually open Monday to Friday.
8. Try your luck at Casino Vilamoura
If you’re after evening entertainment in a slightly more elegant style, Casino Vilamoura is the only casino for miles around. You’ll find it in an impressive building a short distance from the harbour, and it’s exactly the sort of place where people come to see and be seen.
Besides the classic slot machines, you can try your luck at roulette, poker or blackjack. The casino is also renowned for its evening cabarets and so-called dinner shows, which cost around €40 per person and offer a great music and dance programme.
It’s open every day from three in the afternoon until three in the morning. Don’t forget to bring a valid photo ID — without an ID card or passport they unfortunately won’t let you in.
9. Let loose at Aquashow Park
If you’re travelling with children, this is one place you definitely shouldn’t keep from them. Just about a five-minute drive away in neighbouring Quarteira lies the huge Aquashow water park, which ranks among the best in all of Portugal.
Waiting for you here are more than 20 outdoor attractions, from wild slides to massive water roller coasters that are guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. There are also calmer pools and a huge children’s zone, so everyone of every age can have a blast.
Tickets start at around €24, and a big bonus is that parking is completely free. And if the weather doesn’t cooperate, the park has a newer covered section too, so you won’t miss out on the fun even on cooler days.
10. Soak up the atmosphere in the fishing town of Quarteira
While Vilamoura is an artificially built luxury resort, Quarteira right next door is its complete opposite. It’s an original old fishing town where you’ll feel that genuine, slightly weathered Portuguese authenticity.
The two towns are connected by a lovely coastal promenade, so you can enjoy a pleasant walk between them. Quarteira is far more ordinary — you won’t find luxury boutiques here, but you will come across a classic local market and plenty of small, family-run eateries.
It’s a great place if you want a break from the marina’s glossy glitter and a glimpse of how ordinary locals live. What’s more, the prices of food and coffee here are noticeably friendlier.
11. Get active at the Vilamoura Tennis Academy
Beyond golf, the resort is superbly equipped for other sports too. The Vilamoura Tennis Academy is a huge sports complex that draws enthusiasts from all over Europe.
As well as the classic tennis courts, you’ll also find padel courts — a sport that’s currently booming in Portugal. It’s something between tennis and squash, and trust me, it’ll hook you the very first time.
The academy also has a professional equipment shop, and you can even book private lessons with a coach, whether you’re a complete beginner or just want to polish your technique.
12. Set off on a horseback ride
If you love animals, the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre offers another fantastic way to spend your free time. This sprawling riding centre sits just outside town and regularly hosts international show-jumping competitions.
For ordinary tourists, they offer organised horseback rides through the surrounding countryside. It’s a gorgeous way to explore the pine groves and quieter parts of the Algarve, away from the biggest tourist bustle.
The horses have wonderfully calm temperaments, so there’s nothing to fear even if it’s your very first time in the saddle. The instructors are very patient and will calmly explain everything.
13. Enjoy the nightlife and bars
Albufeira is said to be the main party town, but Vilamoura offers far more sophisticated evening entertainment. You won’t run into crowds of noisy drunken youths here — the atmosphere is more relaxed and elegant.
As soon as the sun sets, the marina lights up with thousands of tiny lights and comes alive with music. You’ll find plenty of stylish lounge bars serving up great cocktails, and the restaurants stay open late into the night.
Street performers and live music often appear here, so all you have to do is take a seat on a terrace, order a drink and soak up that wonderful southern vibe.
14. Where to eat well (not just for vegetarians)
Vilamoura is one of the pricier destinations, so a main course will typically cost you €17 to €20 here. If you go for a two-course meal with drinks for two, reckon on spending around €35 to €55. The local speciality is, of course, fresh grilled fish, which is offered almost everywhere.
As vegetarians, though, Lukáš and I don’t tend to visit the traditional seafood restaurants much. Our safe bet is the Mourapão restaurant, which sits a little away from the priciest part of the marina. They serve great vegan breakfasts, salads and amazing plant-based burgers, all in a far more authentic atmosphere.
If you enjoy Asian cuisine, we can warmly recommend United Kitchens of India. Indian restaurants around the harbour are generally a safe bet, and you can get an excellent vegetarian curry here from around €7.50 — which, by local standards, is a real bargain.
15. Walk the Percurso das Falésias cliff trail
I’ve saved a tip for hiking lovers for last. Straight from the resort you can set off on the trail known as Percurso das Falésias, which runs along the tops of those enormous orange cliffs above the beach.
It’s a fairly easy walk that rewards you with absolutely breathtaking ocean views. Especially in the early evening, when the sun is setting and the cliffs take on that rich, deep-red hue, it’s a sight you’ll never forget.
💡 Tip: The trail isn’t shaded at all, so in the summer months be sure to bring plenty of water and something to cover your head. And be careful near the cliff edges — the ground here can sometimes be treacherous and crumbly.
Where to go next from Vilamoura
If you’ve got a hire car in the Algarve, it would be a shame to stick to just one place. The whole coast is dotted with gorgeous little towns and natural wonders.
Be sure to pop over to historic Loulé, which lies a short way inland and gives you a completely different take on traditional Portuguese life. Also worth a visit is the nearby regional capital of Faro, which plenty of tourists simply drive past on their way from the airport.
If you’re after wilder nature and the loveliest coves, take a look at our article on the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. And if you want to really get to know the coast in depth, take some inspiration from our 7-day Algarve road trip.
Once you’ve had your fill of the marina’s shine, head out to discover the wilder face of the Algarve. We adore the dramatic cliffs of Ponta da Piedade near Lagos, along with the fairy-tale Praia da Marinha — in our view the most beautiful beach in the whole region.
Looking for the right hotel for your holiday too? Take a look at our roundup of the best hotels in the Algarve, sorted by holiday type.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vilamoura expensive?
Yes, it’s one of the most expensive resorts in the Algarve. You’ll typically pay 17 to 20 euros for a main course and a beer at the marina can cost up to 6 euros. You can save money by heading to the streets just behind the harbor, where prices are significantly more reasonable.
Is Vilamoura or Albufeira better?
It depends on what you’re looking for. Vilamoura is elegant, quieter and more expensive, ideal for couples and families. Albufeira, on the other hand, is famous for its wild party scene, is much livelier and generally a bit cheaper.
Does the city have a historic center?
No, you won’t find a classic historic square with a little church in the city. This is a planned modern resort from the 1960s, whose absolute focal point and figurative center is the luxury marina.
How do I get here from Faro airport?
The airport is only about 25 kilometers away, so the drive takes roughly half an hour. Your best bet is to use a private or shared transfer, which starts at 15 euros, or alternatively Uber. Local buses are time-consuming and we don’t recommend them.
Do I need a rental car for my stay?
If you’re planning to just lie on the beach and spend evenings at the marina, you don’t need a car at all, you can walk everywhere. But if you want to discover typical Portuguese food in remote villages or drive to more distant cliffs, a car is definitely worth it.
Does Falésia Beach have a Blue Flag?
Yes, this magnificent six-kilometer beach has been awarded the Blue Flag repeatedly. This means it has excellent water quality, is clean, and offers good facilities including lifeguards and toilets.
Is the city worth visiting?
Absolutely yes. Even though we prefer the wilder west, this area offers top-notch services, a beautiful beach and excellent golf. It’s an ideal spot for a relaxing and more luxurious holiday.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
🚗 Car rental on the roadVerified car rentals in PortugalSearch with the DiscoverCars comparison engine — it compares prices from dozens of local and international rental companies, and most bookings come with free cancellation.
Compare car prices in Portugal →Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
