Surroundings Algarve

Omgeving Algarve

Surroundings Algarve Vila Maria Carvoeiro-Benagil
Over the years Bungalow Vila Maria has grown into a spacious villa with a private swimming pool. Later came the garden. The 4,500m2 – 1-acre land was purchased in 1989, and a small house was built. A holiday home that was visited 2 or 3 times a year for scarce holidays. With time and the filling of the piggy bank, Vila Maria in Carvoeiro grew into what it is today. A place of peace, nature, and space.

Yet, all facilities such as restaurants and shops are within a short driving distance. Walking to the sea takes 15 minutes! Then you are in Praia de Benagil. Somewhat further is the old smuggler beach, Praia do Carvalho. Both lovely sandy beaches are bordered between the impressive rocks along the coast. From Praia de Benagil you can take beautiful boat trips and enjoy the impressive rocky coast and the many caves. Together with a dolphin-spotting trip or even a beach BBQ event.

Algarve Beaches

Other beaches in the area include Praia da Albandeira and Praia da Marinha. The latter is known for its great rustic location. The fine beach bar is run by friend Rui. However, Vila Maria is an excellent base for many attractions or “must-see” locations. You can shop in Guia in the Algarve Shopping Mall. Visit a zoo with the kids in Algoz. Enjoy a castle visit in Silves or visit the most western point in Europe just above Sagres. You name it, it’s all there. All visits contribute to a wonderful holiday in our holiday villa with a private pool on the Algarve. Of course, there is adjacent Carvoeiro. Pure conviviality, delicious food, drinks on a terrace, and therefore great to enjoy the holiday.

Surroundings Apartments Aurora Mar in Carvoeiro, Algarve.

Carvoeiro is originally a small fishing village. It has a small but sheltered beach on which the characteristic fishing boats were pulled. To catch fresh fish the sail especially at night. The catch is delivered to the auction that is still active in the village. Firstly by the English and later by the rest of the Europeans, the beautiful location of Carvoeiro was discovered. Over the years the village grew into a very attractive location for holidays, wintering or having a second home in the Algarve.

Carvoeiro falls under the municipality of Lagoa from where the policy is conducted. A very active municipality that organizes all kinds of events, such as the famous Fatacil, the gipsy markets, festivities, but especially has also determined that high-rise buildings may not be committed in Carvoeiro. You will not find large high-rise flats in Carvoeiro, which adds to the character of Carvoeiro and to the liveliness and conviviality of the village.

Photoalbum surroundings Algarve

Map of the Algarve with our rental locations.

The map of a part of the Algarve, Portugal where our rental locations in the Algarve are located. Beautifully central to the sea. Also ideal for overwintering.

The Baragem Drinkwater lakes.

For the supply of drinking water, the Algarve is completely dependent on the water that is collected in the drinking water lakes, Barragems in Portuguese. To this end, high dams are being built behind which water from rain and rivers is pushed, so-called reservoirs. Many can be visited, in some you ...

Boat trip Portimao.

In the many tourist shops but also on the boulevard of Portimao many boat trips are offered. you can also book them and often board at the Clube Naval de Portimao at the municipal marina. Boat trip from Portimao to Silves where you can walk around for a long time, after enjoying a glass of Port, hav...

Burger Ranch, burgers in the Algarve.

The city of Portimao is the second largest city in the Algarve, a province of Portugal, after Faro. There are many places to eat where you can enjoy a wide variety of dishes. The kids love to come to the Burger Ranch, tasty burgers in the Algarve, the fish lover reserves a table under the old bridge...

Just hire a boat

The Algarve is not on the Mediterranean, as you know, but on the Atlantic Ocean. There are many possibilities to explore the sea and coast. You can even go sea fishing, watch dolphins or catch a tuna. Rent a boat, go sailing or take a trip along the coast.

Portimao Pirate Ship

Especially for an impressive experience there is the pirate ship in Portimao. Also for a day out with BBQ, beach visit, delicious fresh beer or a nice day at sea.

Praia da Arrifana, best beach for surfing.

Praia da Arrifana, the best beach for windsurfing on the west coast of the Algarve, Portugal. After admiring Cabo Sao Vincinte and seeing the deep waves crashing against the rocky coast, you drove to Arrifana and then also visit the beautiful beaches of Monte Clerico and Praia da Amoreira, both just...

Salema Beach

One of the villages not to be missed when driving to Sagres, the most south-westerly point in Europe to admire the imposing black granite cliffs, is the village of Salema. Beautiful beautiful beach, village right on the water and a pleasure to walk through the old village with characteristic fisherm...

Silves Castle

Silves Castle was built in the years 1100-1270 by the Moorish occupiers of the Iberian Peninsula. In the centuries affected by nature, human violence and also earthquakes, but in many years also largely restored to reflect the history. Impressive!

Silves market

The fresh market in Silves with lots of fish and vegetables is worth a visit. Still frequently visited by the local population for daily fresh groceries. And while you are in Silves, why not visit the Da Misericordia de Silves church.

Slide and Splash, waterpark in Estombar.

Slide and Splash, waterpark in Estombar. Very nice for the kids. There are more in the area; on the N125 road from Lagos you will find another one and at Albufeira-Vilamoura the biggest.

Impressive rock formations at Carvoeiro.

A large part of the coast of the Algarve is formed by rocks with the characteristic yellow-brown color of the sand-lime stone. Imposing rocky coasts when you walk 150 meters from your Aurora Mar apartment. Wintering-Long winter stys are possible for seniors.

Many shops and restaurants in Carvoeiro.

3 tha bradys bar in Carvoeiro is very popular among not only the British and Irish customers

The Brady's bar in Carvoeiro, a household name in the area and very popular with the English and Irish tourists for a Pint of Bitter, Lager or something stronger.

The promenade over the rocks at Carvoeiro.

The walkway over the rock formations at Carvoeiro. Illuminated in the evenings for a romantic stroll. You walk from Algar Seco to the beach of the square of Carvoeiro. On the way you can sit on the benches and enjoy the view.

5 Rock formations near Carvoeiro

The view from the rock formations at Carvoeiro. Lagos in the distance. Flat sandy beaches are a 10 minute drive to Armacao de Pera.

The centre square from Carvoeiro.

The square of Carvoeiro with beach, shops, terraces and restaurants. In the summer there is often a stage here and bands perform. The Black & White Night is well known.

Praia da Rocha in Portimao with a very large sandy beach.

Praia da Rocha in Portimao with a very large sandy beach. The very wide sandy beach of Praia da Rocha in Portimao. You will also find flat sandy beaches at Armacao de Pera where you can walk for hours along the coast and waterline.

Praia Centeanes, the beach from Carvoeiro.

Praia Centeanes, Carvoeiro's other beach. Nice beach bar and lovely fine sandy beach. Just 15 minutes walk from Aurora Mar apartment and 6 minutes drive from Algarve Vila Maria.

Ferragudo, a popular fisherman village.

Ferragudo, a very popular fishing village and beautiful Praia Grande. Visit the car boot sales (flea market) on certain Sundays or even enjoy a fish meal in a Michelin star restaurant.

Praia de Benagil, entry to the beach from Benagil.

Praia de Benagil, the entrance to Benagil beach and starting point for boat trips along the coast. Small but very cozy. On the east side you walk to Praia do Carvalho; impressive!

The amazing Mirachoro Hotel.

The beautiful Mirachoro Hotel is located next to your Aurora Mar apartment in Carvoeiro.

The old fort at the harbor point.

The old fortress at the port point of Portimao-Praia da Rocha. The breakwater has been constructed to keep the harbor easily accessible for fishing boats and cruise ships (which you can view from your balcony of the Vila Arade apartment) but also to be able to moor the beautiful sandy beach.

Cork oak in the Monchique.

Cork from the cork oaks in the Monchique. After a fixed number of years, half of the cork bark is stripped from the oak and the year this was done with white paint.

Praia do Carvalho, the private smugglers beach.

The smugglers' beach of Praia do Carvalho is only a 5 minute drive from Holiday home with pool Vila Maria, Carvoeiro. One of the many private beaches along the rugged rocky coast. Some beaches can only be reached by boat.

Praia Marinha, a very popular beach in the Algarve.

Praia Marinha, is very well known and a very popular beach in the Algarve.

Carvoeiro has lots of places to dine and drink.

Carvoeiro has many options for good food and drinks. Well known is the Estrada do Farol which is also called restaurant street. You will find all kinds of menus; locally and internationally.

The road to the coast.

The road to the sea and Praia de Benagil. Drive up again on the other side and you will find lots of free parking space and the O Litoral restaurant with excellent fish dishes. The plaice (Solha) is filleted at your table.

Restaurants and terraces at Carvoeiro square.

Restaurants and outdoor cafes of Carvoeiro Square. You can walk to the sandy beach with sun loungers and parasols for rent.

The sandy beach from Carvoeiro.

The sandy beach of Carvoeiro. Easy to reach on foot and with many opportunities to have a drink on a terrace, to enjoy a glass of Vinho Verde or an Amarguinha, one of wild strawberries that grow in the Monchique, distilled strong and very tasty liqueur.

Many boats at the Arade river.

1 of the many boats on the river Arade for a wonderful excursion. There is a wide choice and you can even go on day trips complete with BBQ on one of the private beaches. In the summer, the Red Bull Event also takes place here with racing boats and small planes that skim over the water.

A walk along the amazing coast.

Nothing is more exiting that a walk along the amazing coast of the Algarve.

Carvoeiro restaurants and terraces at the centre.

Carvoeiro restaurants and terraces in the center. Pure cosiness.

The Arade river with many options to hire a boat

The Arade river with many possibilities for a boat trip and with fishing boats and cruise ships.

The yacht harbor from Praia da Rocha.

The commercial marina of Praia da Rocha-Portimao. Located at the end of the boulevard where many events take place in the summer. Also fun festivals.

The boulevard from Portimao.

The promenade of Portimão. With a special cycle path and a walking path so that you can safely walk the entire boulevard, enjoy the many ships that are moored there.

Ferragudo at the other side of apartment Vila Arade.

Ferragudo is located at the other side of apartment Vila Arade.

A fishing boat at the Arade river.

Just one of the fishing boats at the Arade river.

Cruise ships within sight from the apartment Vila Arade.

Cruise ships dock in sight from your balconies in the Vila Arade apartment. The ferry to Madeira and Las Palmas also stop here.

The centre of Portimao.

The center of Portimão with many shops, restaurants and the luxurious Mall Aqua.

The beach from Praia da Rocha.

The sandy beach of Portimão, Praia da Rocha. A little more to the west is Praia do Vau and the beautiful town of Alvor. You can take a helicopter flight along the road from Portimao to Alvor.

Coffee at the river, at Clube Naval, Portimao.

Coffee, with a Pastela de Nata, a drink or a snack by the river at Clube Naval in Portimão, before you visit the Sardinemuseum a little further.

The local yacht harbor at 50m from Vila Arade.

The municipal marina 50 meters from the holiday flat Vila Arade.

Along the boulevard from Portimao, Algarve

Stroll along the boulevard of Portimão in the Algarve.

Drinking and dining at the city square from Portimao, located at the river.

Located at the river is the city square from Portimao where you can dine and drink.

Statue "Museum de Portimao" with sardines processing.

View by night from Vila Arade with Ferragudo and Praia Grande at the other side.

A view by night from Vila Arade where you can see Ferragudo and Praia Grande at the other side.

Many options for a boat trip.

Many possibilities for a boat trip, even to Madeira.

A cruise ship at the harbor.

Cruise ship in port.

Plenty of restaurants and shops in Portimao.

Many restaurants and shops in Portimão. The storks breed everywhere and especially on the old chimneys.

Fisherman in Ferragudo.

Many fisherman are located in Ferragudo.

Enjoying a "sardines pastela" sandwhich

Enjoying a "sardines pastela" sandwhich "de nata amarginho" or "cerveja" at the centre.

The Arade river is always moving.

The Arade river is always moving and never boring to see.

The ferry to Madeira.

The ferry to Madeira at port in Portimao.

Shopping in the Algarve, Portugal.

There are a lot of nice little shops and restaurants that have a very wide choice, including the pastelarias where you can enjoy a cup of coffee with a Pastela de Nata, many terraces on the beach and in the village. Moreover, there are many cafes and bars including the famous Brady’s Irish Bar and many other places to have a drink. Carvoeiro has its own village beach but in the area, there are many other wonderful beaches that are often sheltered between and along the impressive yellow rocks.

For example, Praia Centeanes is easily accessible, but also Praia da Marinha. Estombar has the Slide and Splash water park, from Portimao you can take many boating trips over the sea, but also via the Arade river to Silves. Guia has the ZooMarine that is worth a visit with the child and there are many attractions that make renting an apartment with a pool in Carvoeiro for the summer holidays very attractive.

Surroundings Algarve Apartment Vila Arade, Portimao

Portimao is the second-largest city in the Algarve. A trading city with offices, shops, and many restaurants. In the past, Portimao was a fishing town that made a living from fishing and especially the sardines. From the port of Portimao, the fishing boats left on the Arade River and after the catch, the sardines were processed in a factory recently converted into a museum where you can view the total processing of the sardines.

With the growth of tourism, Portimao has built a long dam in the ocean, creating a very large and wide beach. The name Praia da Rocha was given and it fully meets the plans; a lot of tourism, a lot of crowds, a lot of restaurants and bars, a casino, several hotels but also a lot of high-rise buildings that make it not really attractive in terms of view.

Portimao

Fortunately, the apartment with a sea view is not in Praia da Rocha itself, but if you want to look up the bustle and liveliness, you can walk from your apartment in 15 minutes. If you walk the other way, you will soon arrive at the beautiful long boulevard of Portimao, where you can also enjoy many good restaurants and shops. And don’t forget to enjoy “under the old bridge” in one of the fine fish restaurants such as the restaurant Dona Barca. Make reservations in the high season.

Also, there are several malls in Portimao where there are all kinds of shops. You can shop at many places for your groceries. And, Portimao is a great base for many excursions. A drive to the imposing and rugged West Coast, a visit to Monchique, enjoy the view from Foia, or closer to home, a visit to Alvor, Praia da Luz, or Lagos. And, don’t forget Salema! An experience.