Central Algarve

Towns and villages

Near Faro lie the exclusive golf resorts do Lobo and Quinta do Lago. Villas, apartments and hotels are hidden between the pine forests and golf courses with a backdrop of a glistening blue sea. Vilamoura is a very spacious fashionable town with a few golf courses, tennis courts, a large marina, a beautiful boulevard and a casino.

Traditionally picturesque fishing villages such as Albufeira and Carvoeiro are visited every year by many tourists. Despite being busy Albufeira is still worth a visit. It is lovely strolling through its old centre, its narrow streets and having a drink on one of the terraces with views of the beach and sea.

Although tourism is very much alive on the South coast of Portugal, it’s not the mass tourism as it’s found in areas such as the Costa del Sol in Spain. Even during high season there are still deserted spots to be found on beaches and bays.

Only a few kilometres inland, where the Algarve still maintains its original character, everything is more tranquil. You’ll find beautifully rolling landscapes changing further north into the more hilly and mountainous Serra de Caldeirão and Serra de Monchique.

Nature

The Serra de Calderão (highest summit 577 metres) protects the far South of Portugal from the cold northern weather. The mountains are covered in eucalyptus and chestnut forests, but you’ll find pines, oaks and cork oaks too as well as many shrubs.

In the hills orange, lemon and olive tree plantations mix with agave, fig trees and palms. The Carob tree is characteristic for this landscape as it thrives on the abundance of sun and the mild subtropical climate. The blue ocean is always visible somewhere in the distance and especially in spring and autumn this area is a green oasis.

From all directions you’ll see the Serra de Monchique with its summit Fóia (902 metres). This mountain range with subtropical flora such as eucalyptus, banana plants, olive and orange trees, offers excellent walking conditions.

Activities

The Central Algarve has many golf courses and exclusive golf resorts. Vale do Lobo has, apart from a golf course, a renowned tennis complex, and golf resort Quinta do Lago offers a large sports centre. Fashionable Vilamoura has many golf and tennis courses and a large marina.

Beautiful trips can be made through the Serra de Caldeirão visiting picturesque towns such as Querença, Salir and Alte. Walking tours through the green hills of the Serra de Monchique where the Fóia (902 metres) and Picota (773 metres) summits offer fantastic panoramic views. Along the coast a cliff walk from Benagil to Senhora da Rocha is a real must.

Albufeira offers, apart from wide beaches, good water sport facilities. Beautiful snorkelling areas are the rock formation Algar Seco near Carvoeiro and Praia de Marinha near Benagil. Praia da Falésia near Olhos de Agua attracts many windsurfers. In Lagos you can surf, water-ski and rent jet skis.

Many of our Central Algarve holiday homes are situated in the middle of nature or on the edge of a village and form an excellent starting point for a multi facetted holiday with sun, sea and beach as well as nature, culture and activities.

Beaches

Between Faro and Lagos small bays alternate with long sandy beaches with beautiful golden yellow sand. Lagos has kilometre long sandy beaches on one side (Meia Praia) and beautiful small bays surrounded by rocks on the other side. Praia da Dona Ana is an intimate beach surrounded by orange red sand stone cliffs.

Portimão slowly leads to the more touristy Praia da Rocha with its long sandy beach. This beach is one of the most famous and also one of the most beautiful beaches of the Algarve with its golden yellow sand and cinnamon coloured rocks.

Praia da Marinha near Benagil consists of two small quiet beaches tucked away between high and rocky cliffs. The beaches can be reached using a steep staircase hewn into the cliffs.

Holiday Homes

Portucasa is the Algarve rental specialist for holiday homes and apartments. All our houses are furnished, many have a pool and almost all have a fantastic location!

Portucasa selects, judges and visits all Central Algarve holiday homes. This guarantees you’ll rent a safe and trusted holiday home without unpleasant surprises. Apart from holiday homes in the middle of the Algarve we also have holiday homes in Western Algarve and holiday homes in Eastern Algarve.

Some of our holiday homes and apartments are located on the coast but the majority are found in the more quiet hinterland. We always have a holiday home that is suited to your requirements! Be it on top of a hill, in a valley below the Monchique Mountains, surrounded by vineyards, on a beach or next to a river.

We invite you to have a look at our holiday homes online. If you’d like some help, advice or have any questions, please do contact us. We’d love to help you!