Holiday Homes & Rentals in Vilamoura

All the beauties of the Algarve await with luxury holiday homes in Vilamoura. Spacious, purpose built modern accommodation in Aldeia do Golfe and Encosta das Oliveiras puts you in prime position for quick trips into the visitor-friendly city centre or the world famous beach. Or choose a location close to the bustling waterfront in Quarteira. With other character-filled destinations in the Faro District close by, you'll be well placed for a varied and fun-packed Portuguese holiday.

Catering for anywhere from four to nine people, holiday homes in Vilamoura offer a chic, comfortable place to stay for families and groups of friends. No matter what type of rental you choose, expect gleaming contemporary architecture, cool, airy interiors, wide bedroom balconies, sparkling pools and lawns shaded by palm trees - the perfect complement to those endless blue skies. Go for a swim, sip a cocktail, throw a barbecue - everything's to hand for a relaxing holiday in the sun. Some homes even accept pets, so you can bring along four-legged members of the family too!

Vilamoura is on the coast of Portugal, on the eastern side of Falesia beach. It was developed in the 1980s mainly as a luxurious golfing centre - more about that in a minute - and the town centre has a sophisticated nightlife and culinary scene in keeping with its international appeal. The fishing harbour of Quarteira is the place to go if you're a particular fan of seafood. Backed by colourful facades, the marina is full of yachts, waterfront cafes and little eateries, making it the perfect setting to enjoy that fresh catch of the day.

For culture, make the short trip to Faro. This regional capital has plenty to catch the eye, from the Moorish architecture of its Cidade Velha (historic centre), to its Gothic cathedral and cobblestone lanes lined with shops. If you like your culture a little ghoulish, it even has a chapel decorated with over 1000 human skeletons. Also close by via bus is the market town of Loule. This boasts an old castle complete with crenellated walls, and a covered market that takes place in an exotic, Arabian style building topped with colourful steeples.

From Vilamoura west to Olhos de Agua stretches Falesia beach, three miles of fluffy golden sand. Near the town it's overlooked by picturesque red sandstone cliffs, while as you go west it deepens into thick, soft,undulating dunes. Parasols and sun loungers are available for people who just want to work on their tan, while water sports lovers can rent jet skis and banana boats or go parasailing and paragliding. Equally attractive is Vilamoura beach, near Quarteira. A sea wall creates an area sheltered from the Atlantic ocean currents, making it especially safe for children. At the nearby Pura Beach Club, you can lounge on four-poster daybeds with shady drapes for the ultimate in beachside comfort.

To call Vilamoura a golfer's paradise would not be an overstatement. The roast features no less than five 18 hole, championship-style golf courses which are some of the most extensive and well-equipped in the whole of Portugal, including Victoria, Pinhal, Millennium, Laguna and The Old Course. Around town you'll see golf shops where you can hire equipment, pay green fees and catch shuttles to the course of your choice. Victoria, for example, was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer; it makes the most of local natural wetlands and topography to deliver putting greens, driving ranges, elegant clubhouses and scenic fairways dotted with lakes and almond trees.

Take the kids to the Slide and Splash water park. Whirl about on the Big Wave ride, go shooting down foam slides and the roller coaster-like Disco River. Or take a break from the water at shows where you can get up close and personal with owls, parrots, giant snakes and tortoises. Other local theme parks include Zoomarine, where dolphins and seals are the stars.

Go on a boating excursion. Select from a wide choice of craft, from nifty motorboats to elegant yachts. Journey inside the Benagil cave with its striated, dome-shape ceiling. Try diving, deep sea fishing for red snapper and grouper and dolphin watching.

Catch a boat from Faro harbour to the Ria Formosa nature park. Its lagoons and mudflats play host to a rich variety of migratory birds. Traditional fishing communities give a glimpse into the Algarve's past, and isolated beaches offer the ultimate escape from the bustle of life on shore.

Looking for a memorable night - or even day - out on the tiles and a chance to really let your hair down? Then there's really only one place to be: The Strip, located in the New Town neighbourhood of Albufeira. Its themed bars are buzzing right around the clock.

You can't holiday in Portugal without trying a hearty bowl of cataplana. A seafood stew of prawns, chorizo, onions and tomatoes spiced with paprika, it's served at the table in a giant copper bowl in the style of a clam shell, with more than enough for all the family.