Vilamoura Holidays

Vilamoura sits bang in the middle of Portugal's southern Algarve coast, just a 20-minute drive east of Albufeira. Life here centres around the marina – and really, it's a sight in itself. Picture yachts and catamarans cruising past ocean-breezy bars and al fresco restaurants dishing up fresh-caught seafood plates.

Hit the road for an action-packed culture fest. Faro's a 30-minute drive away, home to museums, a cobbled old town, an impressive cathedral and a striking pink-walled palace – not to mention shops galore. The little town of Loule is slightly closer, and worth visiting for its Medieval castle alone.

It's not a holiday to the Algarve without a sandy beach, and this town's got two. Praia de Vilamoura's fairly sheltered from the strong ocean currents, so it's perfect for a dip, while local favourite Praia de Falesia's got a vast open shoreline and striking red cliffs.

Vilamoura's home to not one, not two, but four championship golf courses, which is more than enough to win the heart of any budding Tiger Woods. If that's not your thing, you'll find a tennis club, watersports and boat tours available by the marina.