Overview Vilamoura is one of Portugal’s most prestigious leisure resorts, meticulously designed in the 1970s to provide a wealth of activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages. This glamorous destination attracts famous faces, from soccer stars to celebrities, drawn by the promise of 5-star service, beachside living, and a world of amenities within strolling distance.
Vilamoura is characterised by carefully manicured lawns, modern apartment blocks, luxury hotels, golf-themed pubs, and of course the marina that the town is built around. You’ll also find plenty of beach clubs and golf courses, a casino, and plenty of companies offering boat trips. It doesn’t have the historical vibe that nearby towns like Faro or Tavira have, but those are always just a short drive away.
The beating heart of Vilamoura is its stunning marina, a multiple award-winner recognised by The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) as the International Marina of the Year. Day or night, a stroll along the marina is an experience unto itself, with a lively atmosphere and endless opportunities for people-watching as yachts glide by.
Buying Property
Nestled within the “golden triangle” of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura offers a diverse range of properties, often at more accessible prices than its exclusive neighbours. Whether you’re seeking a cozy apartment or a lavish villa, options abound from under €200,000 to over €10,000,000, catering to every lifestyle and budget.
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Hotels & Accommodation
For those preferring a temporary escape, Vilamoura’s hotels and resorts provide the ultimate in luxury accommodations, ensuring a memorable stay in this coastal paradise.
- Dom Pedro Marina – 4-star boutique hotel accommodation that’s located right next to Vilamoura Marina with an outdoor pool, hot tub, and an on-site restaurant.
- The Lake Resort – Situated 300 metres from Falésia Beach, less than 5 minutes’ drive from Vilamoura, this resort offers luxury accommodation with 3 restaurants, 2 bars, and 3 swimming pools.
- Anantara Vilamoura – A 5-star luxury resort with a boutique spa, 5 swimming pools, and within minutes of some of the Algarve’s best golf courses.
Want more options? View a list of the best hotels in Vilamoura or a list of all the 5-star hotels in Vilamoura.
Golf
Golfers, take note: Vilamoura is a true haven for the sport, boasting five exceptional 18-hole courses managed by Dom Pedro Golf. From the renowned “Victoria” to the challenging “Millennium,” each course promises a memorable round against the backdrop of Portugal’s beautiful coastline. The courses on Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo are also just a short drive away.
Some of the most popular courses include:
Victoria Golf Course
As the host venue for the European Tour Portugal Masters, Victoria Golf Course presents an 18-hole, par 72 parkland layout, testing players’ driving abilities with numerous water hazards and strategically placed bunkers peppered around the course. Designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, it offers an interesting challenge to golfers of all capabilities, with multiple tee boxes even allowing high handicappers to enjoy this stunning course.
Millennium Golf Course
Situated in the renowned golfing hub of Vilamoura, the Millennium Course boasts some incredible parkland-style holes, with the par 3 6th hole being a particular highlight – the short hole has a ball-awaiting lake adding intimidation to your approach shot. With a variety of tee boxes and challenges, the course can be fun whether players are off scratch or not, making it one of the main golfing destinations in Vilamoura.
The Old Course Golf Club
The Frank Pennink-created Old Course at Vilamoura will create a fun challenge for all golfers. The 18-hole, par 73 course offers a wooded parkland-style layout, with a slightly shorter 6254 yards back tee distance allowing even shorter hitters to enjoy this beautiful course. However, long hitters should not underestimate the short distance, as the pine forest holes require keeping the ball in a good position to score well. With the clubhouse overlooking the 9th and 18th holes, you can enjoy a drink while adding pressure to your friends as you watch them play their final holes.
Pestana Vila Sol
Vila Sol Golf in Vilamoura, Portugal is located on an estate of some 150 hectares, a fabulous golf course surrounded by beautiful natural scenery with an interesting range of animal and plant life. The Vila Sol golf course was designed by the famous architect Donald Steel and has twice played host to the Portuguese Open. The 27 holes stretch along a wide valley and are naturally sculptured by Mother Nature, with the different levels of difficulty divided into three loops: Prime, Challenge, and Prestige. Along with the golf course, Vila Sol Golf features an excellent Academy which is totally grassed and located just 300m from the Clubhouse.
Other Attractions
Casino
For those seeking a taste of excitement, Vilamoura’s casino is the largest in the Algarve region, offering over 500 slot machines, tables for poker, blackjack, and more, along with four roulette wheels. Beyond gaming, the casino hosts live shows, concerts, and houses three restaurants, ensuring a night of endless entertainment.
Beach
Stretching for nearly a kilometre, Vilamoura’s beach offers a serene escape, with calm waters ideal for swimming and a range of water sports. Awarded the coveted Blue Flag for cleanliness and safety, this golden stretch of sand is patrolled by lifeguards during the summer months, when visitors can rent parasols, loungers, and equipment.
Behind the beach there are restaurants and bars where you can get refreshments or have a meal overlooking the sea.
Praia da Falésia, one of the Algarve’s most picturesque beaches, is just a 15-minute drive from Vilamoura, and, from Vilamoura, it’s also fairly quick to get to other beaches like Praia dos Olhos de Água (17 minutes) and Praia de Vale do Lobo (20 minutes).
Cerro da Vila
Step back in time at the Cerro da Vila museum, where ancient Roman ruins and mosaics offer a glimpse into the region’s rich history. Explore the remnants of two villas dating back to 27BC, situated within the museum’s complex near the Quarteira suburb.
Note: this attraction isn’t located in Vilamoura but just outside.
Waterparks
While Vilamoura caters primarily to adults, families can venture to nearby water parks like Aquashow, Aqualand, and Slide & Splash for a day of aquatic thrills. For a unique experience, visit Zoomarine, a combination zoo, funfair, and waterpark featuring dolphins, sea lions, and an artificial beach.
The nearest waterpark to Vilamoura is Aquashow, which is just 10 minutes by car. This has both an outdoor and indoor water park.
Getting to Vilamoura
From Faro Airport
Faro Airport, the Algarve’s regional airport, is less than 30 minutes away from Vilamoura by car, and there are plenty of ways to get from the airport to Vilamoura including airport transfer, shuttle bus, and public transport.
- Airport transfer: An airport transfer is one of the easiest ways to get from Faro Airport to your accommodation: there’s no need to pick up the rental car, negotiate with taxi drivers, or navigate the local public transport system. You’ll find several companies, including Welcome Pickups, that offer Faro Airport transfers to Vilamoura.
- Rental car: If you want to explore the Algarve, especially its beaches, the best way to get around is by car.
- Taxi (or Uber): Taxis are available from outside Faro Airport, and Ubers are increasingly available as well.
- Public transport: There is no direct bus or train between Faro Airport and Vilamoura. If you’re taking public transport, the easiest option is to take the airport bus (bus #16) into Faro and then another bus onto Vilamoura.
From Faro
- Bus: Buses are available from Faro to Vilamoura, and can be booked on Eva-Bus.com.
- Train: There is no train station in Vilamoura. You’ll need to take the train from Faro to Loulé, and then to take a taxi from Loulé to Vilamoura.
From Lisbon & the rest of Portugal
- Bus: Long distance buses are available between cities like Lisbon and Porto and Vilamoura and can be booked on rede-expressos.pt.
- Train: Vilamoura doesn’t have a train station, so you’ll need to take the train to Loulé and then get a taxi onto Vilamoura. Discounts are available if you book your train tickets are in advance, and tickets can be booked on cp.pt.
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