Vilamoura was constructed in the 1980s as an elite golfing center and Europe’s largest leisure complex., and today boasts five exceptional golf courses, along with outstanding tourist facilities.
The focal point of Vilamoura is the marina complex, with its fine dining restaurants and chic bars that overlook a harbor filled with million-dollar yachts. Vilamoura is unlike any other Portuguese town; gone is the traditional charm, to be replaced with the expectation of the super-rich who frequent the marina.
The city is surrounded by restaurants, bars, shops, and luxury hotels, which are just steps from the beach. In the summer, it’s a lively place throughout the day and night, and the beach can become quite crowded in July and August. Vilamoura is a glamorous destination known to attract famous soccer players and other celebrities, and for those who want 5-star service by the beach and the convenience of entertainment, shopping, and restaurants within walking distance. Although families are always welcome, it’s mostly a place for adults, with a casino, tennis courts, and golf courses.
Nightlife in Vilamoura is varied and for all ages. There’s the entertainment at the casino, the bars around the marina, the beach bars, and the trendy club Bliss, which often attracts big-name DJs.
Vilamoura lies at the heart of the Algarve, with its waterparks, varied activities, and fascinating day trips, such as the historic city of Faro or the market town of Loulé. These varied sights and activities make Vilamoura the ideal holiday destination for families, young couples, or groups wanting a golfing holiday.
What to see and do in Vilamoura
Vilamoura is a stylish resort town that is situated in the heart of the beautiful Algarve coastline. And it makes for a fantastic holiday destination and has so much more to offer than just stunning beaches and a glorious climate.
- Cerro da Vila
Vilamoura is a modern town, so there aren’t any historic monuments, but you can visit an archaeological site called Cerro da Vila, with ruins of a Roman villa from the 1st century AD that include a bathhouse, residence, and a building to salt fish. They include well-preserved mosaics.
- Parque Ambiental de Vilamoura
This park contains the reed beds and marshes along the Ribeira de Quarteira River. The waterways are a haven for birdlife and the footpaths provide a peaceful escape from the hecticness of Vilamoura.
- Percurso dos Falésia
The cliff-top footpath along the most picturesque section of the Praia da Falésia beach. Make sure you have decent shoes as the path is rough, and always stay away from the edge of the fragile clay cliffs.
- Praia da Falésia
The largest sandy beach of the central Algarve, backed by orange cliffs and pristine natural scenery. There are decent waves for surfing, scenic cliff-top footpaths, and vast expanses of beach to escape the summertime crowds.
- Vilamoura Marina
The stylish center of Vilamoura, where luxurious yachts moor and wealthy tourists come to dine. By day the marina is a hive of activity, and in the evening it is a fashionable setting for a cocktail.
- Golf
Vilamoura is Europe’s finest golf destination, boasting five world-class courses and outstanding golfing facilities. You have five excellent golf courses to choose from — “Victoria,” “Old Course,” “Millennium,” “Pinhal,” and “Laguna” — all with 18 holes. More information about the golf courses can be found on the Dom Pedro Golf website: https://www.dompedrogolf.com
In the marina complex, there are golfing agencies that can organise transport, and provide club hire and current green fees. If your primary reason to visit the Algarve is for a golfing holiday, then there is no better destination than Vilamoura.
- Casino Vilamoura
The casino is the largest of the three in Algarve (the other two are in Monte Gordo and Portimão) and has over 500 slot machines plus tables for poker, blackjack, and other games, and four roulettes. Casinos in Portugal are not allowed to operate for 24 hours, so it opens in the afternoon and closes late at night. It also hosts live shows and concerts and houses three restaurants. On Friday and Saturday nights, there’s a club for late-night dancing and drinking.
- Waterparks
Both of Vilamoura’s beaches are accessible to those with limited mobility or on wheelchairs. Although there are more attractions for adults than for children in Vilamoura, those traveling as a family can always take the kids to the water parks nearby. The closest one is the Aquashow, which is the largest in Algarve and just a 10-minute drive away. Open from May to September, it offers big water slides, a “tropical” pool, a pool with waves, and educational shows about reptiles and birds. About 25 minutes to the west is the similar Aqualand, and there’s also the Slide & Splash close to Lagoa (35 minutes). For more than just fun in the water, head to Zoomarine, which is close to Albufeira (25 minutes). It’s part zoo, part funfair, with dolphins, sea lions, and seals, plus swimming pools, water slides, and an artificial beach.
Beaches by Vilamoura
Vilamoura is situated on a picturesque coastline of beautiful sandy beaches. There is the gorgeous Praia de Vilamoura, the fashionable main beach of Vilamoura, while to the west of the marina, is the Praia da Falésia, an 8 km stretch of golden sands and distinctive orange clay cliffs.
The beach stretches for about one kilometer, from the marina in the west to Quarteira in the east. The water is relatively calm and generally safe for swimming. There are lifeguards on duty in the summer when you also can rent parasols, loungers, and equipment for water sports.
If you want a quieter spot at the beach away from the crowds, keep walking to the left when facing the sea. The crowded part is the western end close to the marina and the hotels. Here is also the trendy Purobeach club, which is usually open from April to November. It offers sunbeds and drinks for relaxing hours in the sun, accompanied by the chillout sounds of the resident DJ.
About a 10-minute walk from the marina to the west you’ll see a parking lot and a small footbridge leading to another beach. That’s Praia da Rocha Baixinha, which officially belongs to Albufeira but is essentially Vilamoura’s second beach. Backed by red cliffs, it’s never crowded, but has a couple of bars and restaurants attracting young people and offers more space for children to run around. It’s also better for water sports like surfing and jet skiing than the beach in central Vilamoura, since it has better waves. If you keep walking in a westerly direction (to the right when facing the sea), the beach will get quieter and even more beautiful.
To the west of the marina is Praia da Falésia, which is part of Albufeira and one of the most stunning beaches in the Algarve. This beach’s eastern end is called Praia da Rocha Baixinha, as mentioned above. It’s quite a long but pleasant walk to Praia da Falésia. By car, it’s less than 20 minutes.
To the east is Praia de Quarteira, one of Algarve’s most budget-friendly beaches. It’s about a 10-minute drive away. For a quieter and more exclusive atmosphere, head to Vale do Lobo (20 minutes) or Quinta do Lago (25 minutes).
Sea temperature
It surprises many visitors to Vilamoura’s two beaches that the ocean temperature is significantly colder than other Mediterranean holiday destinations. This is due to the Atlantic currents, which keep the water cool.
Temperatures only reach a maximum of 18 °C at the summer’s height and drop to 14 °C in the winter.
When to visit Vilamoura
Vilamoura is a uniquely stylish and striking town, which was purposely built to be an exclusive, upmarket resort. The city is blessed with hot, dry summers and pleasant temperatures year-round.
In peak season the temperatures soar, which makes Vilamoura a go-to resort for sun-seekers, so the visitors should expect a buzz wherever they go, both day and night.
In the months surrounding peak season, the intensity of the heat drops but the weather still remains pleasant. The mid-season has a more relaxed vibe around the marina and on the beach as the weather is perfect for day trips too. Spring and late Autumn are peak golfing seasons due to the dry and mild weather.
In winter, expect clear to cloudy days and some showers. Temperatures cool both day and night and the weather is too variable for sunbathing and beach activities. As such, Vilamoura becomes very quiet in winter, except for golf-centric tourism.
Vilamoura is at its finest in Spring as the resort is prepared for peak season, but the crowds have not yet arrived. The long sun-filled days are perfect for sunbathing on the beaches, roaming the marina, and dining alfresco as the sun goes down.
In summer, Vilamoura is a melting pot of tourists who all congregate at the stylish marina or soak up the sun on the fabulous sandy stretches of Praia da Marina and Praia da Falésia. Expect beaches to be packed and, due to the soaring temperatures any air-conditioned bars will also be full.
The peak season offers the widest selection of sea-based activities, which are refreshing from the summer heat. Popular activities include dolphin watch tours, boat tours to Benagil Caves, or deep-sea fishing. On the beach are found kayaks for rent, banana boat roads, and sea inflatables. It is recommended to book activities in time, as some of the most popular do sell out rapidly.
September is one of the busiest months in the Algarve, as older couples travel to the region after the school holiday season. As the days are still sunny and mild, sunbathing is still very viable. This is much better weather to explore the region, either as day trips or even just taking a stroll to the fishing town of Quarteira. Families will also find it a great time to visit the waterparks without the intensity of the summer heat and crowds.
Low-season visitors should expect that Vilamoura empties and only local restaurants and amenities stay open. The main attractions shut and beaches are no longer warm enough to sunbathe on.
By the way, the weather is still mild in comparison to a lot of Europe, temperatures range from 15-20 degrees Celsius, and there is an equal number of cloudy to clear days. This makes Vilamoura a good base for those who are not seeking a winter beach resort.
Due to its popularity as a golf destination, the world-famous courses are to be open until December.
How to get to Vilamoura
Vilamoura is less than 30 minutes from Faro and its airport. As there is no direct public transportation, most tourists arriving at the airport use a private transfer service. Others choose a taxi or Uber.
By car, you just have to head west on road N125, exit towards the N396, and follow the signs to Vilamoura. The closer you get to the beach, the more difficult it will be to find parking.
By bus, the Vamus bus n° 9 runs between the center of Faro and Albufeira, and stops in Vilamoura. It takes about 50 minutes from Faro and 40 minutes from Albufeira. However, on weekends it only has half a dozen departures in each direction throughout the day.
There is no train service to Vilamoura!
