portugalsun.com
LOCAL AMENITIES
Just a few minutes walk from the apartment you will find a well stocked supermarket, paper shop, gift shop and english hairdressers. There is an english run cafe which serves the best breakfasts and fantastic home made cakes. Two very good restaurants and 2 sports bars Parky's and The Cactus Bar. Just mention you are staying at our apartment and you will be give a very warm welcome.he apartment is just 1 kilometre from the beaches and the fabulous Vilamoura Marina. You can walk to the Marina in about 15 minutes through a lovely Palm lined walk way. Falesia beach is also a pleasant 15 minutes walk.
The local bus stop is just by the apartment, from here you go to Albufeira one way and Quarteira with it weekly market every Wednesday the other. A road train passes the apartment approx every 30 minutes, which you can just flag down. This will take you to the fabulous Falesia beaches and the Marina. This is a cheap way to get around and the children find it a great treat. It is also a nice way to go out in the evening. Local taxis are also very cheap.
LOCAL PLACES TO GO
QUARTEIRA MARKET: Every Wednesday morning there is a gypsy market in Quarteira (5 minutes by car). Here you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the local market where you can get many bargains, ranging from table clothes and bed spreads to leather shoes and handbags, and lots of local products. Enjoy the haunting pipe music of the Mexican Indians, and you must try the local Doughnuts. I promise you they are definetely non fattening. (Well maybe just a little bit!!)
LOULE MARKET: Every Saturday up in the hills above Vilamoura in the lovely Market town of Loule where the locals bring their produce to sell at the indoor market and street market. Here you can buy an array of fresh fruit and veg, herbs, spices, honey, pickles and lots more. Also a fantastic selection of fresh fish. The local trades men sell their leather, copper, ceramic and cotton produce, and if you wander through the winding cobbled streets you can see them in their work shops making their products. Visit the old castle, wander round the vast array of shops then wander down to the Gypsy market which is at the bottom of the town.
ALBUFEIRA OLD TOWN: Twenty minutes from Vilamoura is the old town of Albufeira, with its winding cobbled streets lined with white washed houses, little shops, restaurants, cafes and an array of market stalls. In the main square which also leads to the beautiful beaches, there are street entertainers, buskers and artists. At fishermans wharf with its gaily painted boats you can sit at one of the bars or restaurants and watch the fishermen mending their nets ready for the next days catch which they sell to the local restaurants. The smell of grilled sardines wafting around is mouth watering.
THINGS TO DO
The main attraction are dolphins who give three shows a day in a large arena. The shows are roughly half an hour each, and there's enough of them to last you a day. The shows are very entertaining and original, which makes it good value. It is possible to join dolphins in the water for a "dolphin experience" but you must pre-book. There are seals & sea lions also giving three shows a day and you can also see the aquarium with numerous sea creatures and small tiger sharks. There are also parrot shows, a play area, theme rides and a swimming pool.
Krazyworld just an ideal family outing place. . There is a huge mini golf, swimming pool, a petting farm where you can make friends with llamas, deer, wallabies, camels, and more. There are quad bikes, pony rides, a crocodile park and several other attractions which are addae regulary. In summer their are live shows showing different animals.
GO KARTING: A 760m race track that is designed to replicate the Brazilian Circuit of Jacarepagua. There are also various other rides and attractions at the karting track including bumper boats and bungee trampolining.
JEEP SAFARI: a selection of different Safaris are on offer including four wheel drive vehicles, boats and jeeps. The different trips on offer can include lunches and exciting drives through large Nature Reserves. A fun way to see the real Algarve.
(The Big One), is located in the central area of the Algarve, near the town of Alcantarilha (Armação de Pera), about 30 minutes drive from vilamoura.. The park has water attractions for all tastes, some totally unique in the country, such as the Banzai, which give moments of pure adrenaline, joy, fun, adventure and relaxation. Not really suitable for small children. www.aqualand.pt
The aqua park is rated high in the Algarve. There are a great variety of rides for all ages & a jacuzzi for mum, and large grass picnic recreation area. There can be queues for refreshments in the busy season, so maybe take your own picnic, and do watch out for sunburn and keep replacing the suncream. www.slidesplash.com
Aqua show is the water park to choose if you have young children. With large wave pool, spacious shallow children pool with lots of slides, water canons, water fountains etc. large rides for mum & dad, parrot shows, birds of prey shows, lots of grass picnic areas, large play area. Very attentive lifeguards. Great value for money.
