Vilamoura is the Algarve's most polished resort. The marina is lined with expensive boats and cocktail bars, the golf courses are immaculately maintained, and everything feels designed and managed rather than organic. That's either a selling point or a drawback depending on what you want. We find it works well for golfers and couples after a slick, hassle-free holiday, though it lacks the character of older Algarve towns like Tavira or Lagos. If you want authentic Portugal, this isn't it. If you want reliable sunshine, a good beach, and everything on your doorstep, it delivers.
Why Stay in Vilamoura
- Marina lifestyle: The marina is the centre of everything: restaurants, bars, boat trips, and a casino. It's well maintained and lively without being rowdy. Expect higher prices here than elsewhere in the Algarve.
- Golf: Five courses within the resort itself, including the Old Course (a regular European Tour venue). Green fees are not cheap, particularly in spring and autumn when the weather is at its best for playing.
- Falesia Beach: The long, wide beach backed by orange-red cliffs is one of the best in the Algarve. It stretches east from the marina for several kilometres and rarely feels overcrowded even in August.
- Caveat on atmosphere: Vilamoura was planned as a resort from scratch. There's no real town centre, no old quarter, no local market. Everything revolves around the marina and the golf courses. Some visitors find it a bit soulless after a few days.
Things to Do in Vilamoura
Falesia Beach is the headline. Walk east along the clifftop boardwalk for the best stretches. The sand is wide and golden, the cliffs behind shift from orange to cream, and the water is clean. Sunbed hire runs around €15-20 for two beds and a parasol.
The marina hosts boat trips: dolphin watching (around €35), fishing charters, and sunset cruises. There's a small market on some evenings and live music at several of the waterfront bars.
For a break from the beach, the Cerro da Vila Roman ruins are right next to the marina. It's a small site with mosaics and baths, and rarely crowded. Entry is a few euros. Not a major archaeological site, but a pleasant surprise given the modern surroundings.
Vilamoura is well positioned for day trips. Loulé (15 minutes' drive) has the best indoor market in the region and a Saturday gypsy market. Faro's old town (20 minutes) is worth a couple of hours, and the Ria Formosa lagoon nature reserve stretches east from there. For a water park day, Aquashow and Slide & Splash are both within 20-30 minutes' drive. Bear in mind that Vilamoura's taxi fares are higher than average for the area.
