Vilamoura holidays

Best hotels in Vilamoura

Set between fishing village resorts and the medieval town of Loulé, there’s much more to holidays in Vilamoura than just year-round sun and soft sand. Its coves, beaches, yacht-filled marina, and excellent golf courses have helped put Vilamoura holidays on the map. The resort’s wide streets will take you past the rolling fairways of perfectly manicured golf courses and down to the seafront marina that’s dotted with luxury hotels, restaurants and bars. Nearby you’ll find the well-preserved medieval quarters of Faro, as well as plenty more beaches, some with conditions that are ideal for windsurfing.

Things to do

Lined with hotels, cosmopolitan bars, restaurants, and shops, the busy marina is a hub of activity day and night. Enjoy some local Portuguese cuisine in one of the marina’s seafood restaurants, or people watch as you stroll along the promenade, ice cream in hand. In the evening, relax to the sounds of smooth jazz or visit the casino to try your hand at some of the tables. Away from the marina, holidays to Vilamoura include rounds of golf on some of the best courses, horse riding, and boat trips to visit Roman ruins.

Food and drink

Vilamoura isn’t short of places to eat and drink, so you’re bound to find something that suits everyone’s tastes. The majority of restaurants and bars are found in and around the marina and the cuisine on offer is varied. As Vilamoura and Quarteira have a strong fishing community, you’ll find seafood is available on most menus at both resorts. Take a seat along the waterfront and enjoy delicious freshly caught fish. When it comes to drinking, you can take your pick from cosy pubs and wine bars, or if you’re craving a taste of back home there are also many British and Irish pubs where you can grab a pint and watch the football.

History and culture

Vilamoura also has a rich history with origins dating back as far as Roman times. Unleash your inner history buff with a trip to the Cerro da Vila and uncover facts from the Bronze Age. Imagine yourself back in the Roman era as you discover the remains of what was once a luxurious villa and admire the artefacts in the museum. If you’re looking to soak up some culture on your holiday to Vilamoura, you’ll want to head to Quarteira to check out the markets. It’ll give you a taste of traditional Portuguese delicacies and specialities as you mix with the locals and barter with the stall holders.

Golden beaches

If lazing around on golden beaches is your ideal holiday, you’ll love Vilamoura. Its main beach is very easy to find as it’s just a few steps from the marina. Here you’ll find the perfect conditions for sunbathing and many opportunities for you to try your hand at water sports. If you follow the stretch for four kilometres, you’ll end up on the beautiful sandy beach at Quarteira, where its golden sands are lined by calm waters and stony walls. This charming town has a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for relaxing days on the sand.

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28 ℃

Temperatures are highest in July and August.

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2 hours 45 minutes

Faro Airport (FAO), also known as Algarve Airport, is under half an hour away from Vilamoura.

Map of Vilamoura

Vilamoura is best for...

Families: Build sand castles on the beach and explore the caves along the coastline. See who’s the best at mini-golf or head to the waterparks to splash around in the wave pool.

Golfers: Vilamoura holidays are home to some outstanding golf courses. Tee off on some of the most testing courses, before you relax with a drink at the club house.

Explorers: Whether it’s along the long sandy shoreline or sights at the nearby resorts and towns, there’s always plenty to discover.

Getting around Vilamoura

On foot: Wander down to the marina, where you’ll find most of Vilamoura’s attractions and entertainment. At only 4km away, Quarteira is within walking distance from the resort.

By tourist train: It’s a quick and easy way to get to the Family Golf Park, and to Quarteira and Praia da Falésia beach when it’s too hot to walk.

By coach or rail: If you wanted to see more of the region, there’s lots of reliable public transport around the Algarve. Boliqueime and Loulé are the nearest trains stations to Vilamoura and coach journeys can be also be booked with EVA and Rede Expressos.

Fast facts for Vilamoura

Language: Portuguese is the language spoken in Vilamoura.

Currency: The currency you'll need for your holiday is the Euro (€).

Local time: Vilamoura is the same time as GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Faro Airport. It's just 30 minutes to transfer to Vilamoura.

Flight time: The Vilamoura flight time is 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found at www.visitportugal.com.

Visa / health: Before you travel, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/portugal for recommendations and advice on visas and health for your holiday.

Holiday destinations related to Vilamoura:

Events in Vilamoura

Carnival time: With colourful street parades, massive floats, dancing, music, and eye-catching costumes, it’s clear carnival is serious business in the Algarve. Head to Quarteira, just a short distance from the marina in February, for the perfect spot to take in all the carnival action.

Surf and turf: The Algarve International Sailing Tournament returns every February where you’ll see the best mariners racing across the waves. In December, golfers compete for the Vilamoura Grand Golf Trophy and horse riders arrive for the showjumping competitions.

Celebrate summer: At the end of June, nearby Loulé hosts Festival MED. The festival transforms the historic town into a hub of live music from across the Mediterranean and around the world. Expect art installations, dance, street performances, workshops, crafts, and more. There’s more live music in July, when the smooth sounds of jazz take over at the Loulé International Jazz Festival.

Vilamoura weather

Temperature: Summer holidays to Vilamoura will have average highs of 28°C, and the mild winters will have lows of 16°C between December and February.

Best time to visit: It’s at its warmest and likely to have less rain in July and August.

It’s no surprise that this destination is such a popular summer playground, with its warm seas, hot sunshine, and long days full of sunbathing between May and September. It tends to get a little wetter in April, October and November, but it’s still sunny enough to get around to see all the resort’s sights and attractions. Temperatures drop slightly from December to March and you might catch the occasional rain shower, so make sure you pack some warmer layers and a rain mac.