Algarve Visitors Guide

The Algarve is located on Portugal’s picturesque southern coast and is renowned the world over for exceptional golf, spectacular beaches… and a wealth of fascinating history and culture

Here you will find exceptional restaurants, breath taking scenery and accommodating people. Your first visit will not be your last.

Ancão Beach: UNESCO Protected Beauty

Ancão Beach, also known as Praia do Ancão, is one of the few unspoilt coast lines left in southern Europe and is surrounded by striking flora and stunning natural beauty.

This inlet is protected by UNESCO and is home to a variety of migratory birds and a wetland of significant importance.

Praia do Ancão is conveniently located just 750 meters away from the Formosa Park Apartment Hotel and is accessed by walking through the edge of the nature reserve that borders the long sandy beaches.

Almancil: The Upmarket Town

The small town of Almancil is typical of the Algarve region and has become well known due to the two very exclusive resorts located close by - Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo.

Here in Almancil you will find a great selection of quality restaurants, stylish boutiques and high-end shopping.

A selection of supermarkets, garden centres and sophisticated interior design, antique and furniture shops can be found here… making it a first class destination for the rich and famous.

Quinta do Lago: Paradise in the Algarve

Located deep in the heart of the Algarve and only twenty minutes west of Portugal's Faro Airport, Quinta do Lago is an exclusive golf and residential resort bordering the Atlantic Ocean and the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve.

Known for its elegance and privacy, this estate of nearly 2,000 acres is set amidst vast woodlands, and glorious beaches. Quinta do Lago is especially popular due to the resort's outstanding natural beauty and distinctive community feel, with spectacular villas surrounded by parasol shaped pines centred around private 'residents only' areas.

The main attraction of Quinta do Lago are – of course – the golf courses themselves, each boasting a variety of demanding challenges and fun for golfers of all levels of experience.

The resort has hosted several Portuguese Opens over the years and remains hugely popular for hosting a variety of national and international tournaments are held. All the courses have top-quality driving ranges, putting greens and golf academies… along with sprawling, well-presented clubhouses that overlook the charming landscapes.

Quinta do Lago is not just a haven for golfers. The social life here is active and varied… with a huge number of nightclubs, galleries and restaurants on offer.

Ria Formosa Nature Reserve: Unrivalled Natural Beauty

The Ria Formosa was formed in the eighteenth century by a great – and thankfully the area’s last – oceanic earthquake. Today it is a continually changing landscape of saltwater marshes, exceptional greenery and freshwater lagoons.

The areas is crammed with an array of endangered wildlife, over 70 species of birds, including herons, hoopoes, white storks, coots, black winged stilts and the rare purple gallinule. It is a must see for bird watchers and nature lovers alike.

In addition there are many archaeological sites around Ria Formosa compete with fascinating remains of Roman and pre-Roman settlements. The combination of history amid this natural setting makes every visit unforgettable.