Vilamoura Algarve – sights & holiday tips

During your stay or visit to Vilamoura, there are a number of nice sights to discover. From beautiful wide sandy beaches to the luxurious marina, a day in Vilamoura guarantees a diverse range of experiences.

These are the top 8 sights in Vilamoura that I recommend visiting :

1. Praia da Rocha Baixinha

Within walking distance of the marina of Vilamoura, you will find the Praia da Rocha Baixinha beach on the west side. By walking along the quayside harbour the marina and crossing the pedestrian bridge, you will arrive at this beautiful wide sandy beach with an adjacent dune area.

Here you will always find your own spot on the sand, but you can also rent a lounger with a parasol. If you come by car, you can park (paid) at Estacionamento da Praia dos Tomates .

Here and there in the dunes you will find a number of beach bars where you can get drinks and food.

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2. Vilamoura Marina

A sight not to be missed is the Marina de Vilamoura , or the marina of Vilamoura. Here wealthy tatas moor their ships and then toast with a cocktail on the deck or on one of the atmospheric terraces that surround the harbour.

Among the restaurants and cafes you will also find a number of nice souvenir shops with handmade products.

The marina extends to the west into the Praia da Rocha Baixinha beach; on the other side, next to the pier, is the Praia de Vilamoura beach.

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3. Praia de Vilamoura

Praia de Vilamoura is the other beach of Vilamoura, located within walking distance of the many hotels and resorts that the city has to offer. Here too you can rent sunbeds, but of course you can also put down a towel to get a nice tan on the warm sand under the Portuguese sun.

In the beach tents you can get cold or hot refreshments, but here you pay the main price compared to other places.

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4. Cerro da Vila

Besides all the glitz and glamour, there is fortunately also some culture to be found in Vilamoura, namely at Cerro da Vila . This small archaeological site consists of a number of ruins of a Roman village with an adjacent museum with artefacts.

The explanation is in English and Portuguese and the entrance fee is €4.00 per person. Children under 13 years old can enter for free.

It’s not super big, so expect to spend a maximum of half an hour there.

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5. Popup museum: Com os Pés na Terra e as Mãos no Mar

It’s a mouthful, but the Exhibition “With Pés na Terra e as Mãos no Mar – 6000 years of Quarteira history” is an interesting temporary (at least until 2025) exhibition that focuses on the history of Quarteira.

Although the information is mainly in Portuguese, there are more than enough photos and images to illustrate what this old fishing village used to be like.

Admission is free and the friendly staff at the entrance will be happy to provide you with (oral) information in English.

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6. Parque Ambiental de Vilamoura

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, you will find the Parque Ambiental de Vilamoura nature park . Here you can take a walk of about 5 kilometers along two birdwatching posts, the Vilamoura equestrian center and orchards with, among other things, carob, almond and fig trees.

It is a quiet area with few other visitors.

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More information

7. Mercado do Peixe

The Mercado do Peixe is the fresh produce market of Vilamoura and Quarteira where the residents of the towns do their shopping.

The market is open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 2pm and even if you don’t need groceries, it’s fun to see what a fresh market in Portugal looks like.

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8. Casino Vilamoura

Casino Vilamoura is not for everyone, but you can hardly miss it when you walk from Vilamoura towards Quarteira. This casino is full of slot machines, tables with various games and you can dine there accompanied by a show.

Unlike other casinos around the world, there seems to be no dress code here. Expect high prices for food, drinks and minimum bets. Reviews are mixed.

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1. Coastline cruise to Benagil Cave

A really fun excursion to take is a boat trip along the Algarve coastline, where you will visit several caves, including the famous Benagil cave.

This boat trip, organised by Floating Prestige , lasts approximately 2.5 hours and the experienced skipper will tell you all about the nature and culture of the region during the trip.

Please note that if there are too many waves, you will not be able to enter the cave for safety reasons, but you can of course view it from the outside.

2. Parasailing off the coast of Vilamoura

If you’ve never tried parasailing before , there’s no better place to try it than above the clear blue waters of the Algarve.

You hang up to 200 meters above the water surface while the boat pulls your parasail. The fun of parasailing in Vilamoura with Floating Prestige is that you hang together or with three people at the same time from the parachute.

A fun activity for the holiday photo album!

3. Spotting wild dolphins off the coast

During this dolphin safari , you will depart from Vilamoura by speedboat to search for wild dolphins that can be found all year round off the Algarve coast.

Besides exploring the water, you will also sail past the typical cliffs and rock formations that the Algarve is so famous for.

Please note that dolphins are wild animals and there is no guarantee that you will actually see them.

In the ‘worst case’, you have a nice boat trip off the coast!

4. Guided bike tour in and around Vilamoura

Are you missing your bike? Luckily, in Vilamoura you can join a guided bike tour where you explore Vilamoura, Quarteira and the surrounding Algarve landscape on two wheels.

Along the way you will pass some of the guide’s favorite sights and he will tell you about the nature and history of the area. You will go off the beaten track, which means you will discover a little more than most visitors do.

Segway tour along the coast of Vilamoura in Quarteira

Prefer two wheels next to each other instead of behind each other? Then this Segway tour along Vilamoura and Quarteira is a great recommendation!

During this 1.5 hour excursion, the guide will take you to various viewpoints along the coast, including a number of beaches and piers. Along the way, you will receive information about the area from the experienced guide.

6. Guided boat tour incl. beach barbecue & drinks

Experience a full day of water fun with this fun and popular cruise including BBQ along the Algarve coast from Vilamoura. You will sail past beautiful rock formations and the Benagil Cave and there is time for snorkeling and SUP. Halfway through the adventure there will be a beach BBQ for lunch.

There is a bar on board and drinks such as sangria, beer and soft drinks are included. The trip takes about 7.5 hours (!).

1. Dom Pedro Marina

If you want to stay in the heart of Vilamoura in a beautiful hotel with all the amenities for a successful holiday, then Dom Pedro Marina is the place for you . From simple but chic double rooms to spacious suites with a private terrace, there is a good deal for every budget.

All prices include breakfast and the beach & marina are within walking distance.

2. Apartamentos Turisticos Pinhal Da Marina

Just outside the hustle and bustle of Vilamoura city centre, you will find the peaceful apartments of Apartamentos Turisticos Pinhal Da Marina . The cosily furnished apartments have their own kitchen and living area and accommodate 2 to 8 people, making it an ideal destination for families.

The beach and the center are a fifteen minute walk away. On site is the Pinhal Da Marina’s restaurant, but of course there are plenty of alternatives nearby.

If you fancy a swim without the sand, you can take a dip in one of the two pools.

3. Casa do Alto

If you prefer to stay outside the centre of Vilamoura, Casa do Alto is a true oasis. Situated in the hills and far away from the hustle and bustle, you can completely relax here by the pool, on the terrace or during a walk through the area.

Vilamoura is a 15-minute drive away, as is the historic Loulé. All apartments are suitable for two people and the restaurant serves breakfast in the morning and small dishes in the evening.