Vilamoura is a top destination for tourists who search for superiority and sophistication while traveling. Known as the Monaco of Portugal, Vilamoura attracts jet set, local celebrities and admirers of the super-rich. Vilamoura is unlike any other Portuguese town. The buzzing energy and entertainment make it a beloved place and favorite hotspot for many travelers visiting the Algarve. At its heart you find the exclusive marina home to glamorous yachts which is surrounded by many world-class hotels, gourmet restaurants, stylish bars, designer shops and of course a casino. But there is more, find out all the secret tips on visiting Vilamoura.
Vilamoura – Highlights
Top attractions in Vilamoura:
• Marina, full of restaurants, bars and entertainment
• A great variety of sports facilities
• Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila
General Information
Vilamoura was built to perfection in 1974 by one the richest bankers of Lisbon and in 2018 has developed into the largest luxury private resort developments of Portugal. That said Vilamoura is not a town but an area. The luxurious area is known to having the best facilities in the Algarve. Therefore, tourism in Vilamoura is more expensive than in other parts of the Algarve.
What to see
Visiting Vilamoura
Vilamoura has a marina, several golf courses, a casino, a tennis club, a diving club, a beach, leisure facilities and several 4 and 5 star hotels.
Marina
The central point of the city is the marina. Around the marina you can find luxury hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars, shops and a casino. The former Portuguese soccer player Luis Figo has his own bar in the marina, called ‘Bar Sete’ (bar 7). The boardwalk along the marina is especially popular at night, when families take a walk after dinner and enjoy an icecream. The marina itself is full of expensive yachts and has a capacity of more than 800 boats.
The casino has international entertainment, and one can play poker, Black Jack, Portuguese dice and many other games. The casino also has a complete nightclub, which is quite popular on weekends. If you wish to explore the nightlife in Vilamoura there are many other options as well.
Beaches
The nearest beach is Vilamoura beach, also known as Praia da Marina. The beach is situated on the east ofthe marina and is used by many tourists that stay in the area. The beach also offers many different kind of water sports, like paragliding, jet skiing and a banana boat ride. In the summer there are often beach parties in the beach bars around here.
Other beaches that are accessible from Vilamoura, are praia de Quarteira, praia da Rocha Baixinha, Quinta do Lago beach, and praia da Fálesia, with its red coloured cliffs.
From the town you can also take a boat trip to see the caves along the coast or go dolphin watching. There are several companies offering tours, for example Algarve-Seafaris or Algarve Boat Cruises.
Sports facilities
In Vilamoura, there are impressive sports facilities, including every kind of water sport, tennis courts, and several golf courses. One golf course, the Oceânico Old Course, has been named the best golf course in Portugal in 2014 by the UK Golf Magazine, Today’s Golfer.
Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila
Near the marina, one can visit the ruins of a Roman villa. The ruins still have some mosaics, baths and fundaments of several buildings. The villa is dated from the 1st century. There is also a small museum, providing insight to the area’s past.
Location
Vilamoura is an area within the muncipality of Loulé. It is located in between Albufeira and Quarteira. The distance from Faro airport is 25 kilometers.
Secret tips
There is a huge spa in Vilamoura. It has massage pools, relaxation beds sauna, turkish bath and much more. Visiting the spa for a day can be very relaxing.
If you like adventure, there is the possibility to do a tour by quad in the nature. It is rated by TripAdvisor as the #1 outdoor activity in Vilamoura.
If you feel like exploring the area, there are many things to see and do in Loulé.