Golf

Vilamoura has six golf courses. The Laguna, Pinhal, Millenium, Old Course and Victoria courses, and the nearby Vila Sol golf resort.

Each of the Vilamoura courses differ in character and all have their own unique challenges and the kind of facilities you would expect from championship golf courses. The Laguna course is quite a flat, open course with water featuring prominently. By contrast, the Pinhal course is set amongst the pine trees that are characteristic of the area and the landscape is a little hillier. The celebrated Old Course is often described as the Grande Dame of Algarve courses and the Millennium Course has also undergone complete refurbishment to produce a course of real character. The newest of the Vilamoura courses is the sophisticated Victoria GC, which has hosted the Portugal masters since 2007.

If this roster of courses doesn’t do it for you, being the Algarve, there

Family friendly

Vilamoura is widely regarded as Portugal’s leading leisure destination. There is a laundry list of things on offer for active holiday makers and those who enjoy being pampered.

Being the Algarve there are obviously superb golf courses or if you want to have a round where everyone can play, the Family Golf Park has two 18-hole mini golf courses. The park is designed for all the family to be enough of a challenge for older guests while remain achievable for younger golfers. Elsewhere for the family the nearby Aquashow waterpark brilliantly mixes water and amusement park attractions like slides, pools, waves, exotic birds and a top notch roller coaster. In Vilamoura itself is one of the largest kids clubs in Europe Paradise Island.

Active & Wellness

If you are looking to keep fit or experience a therapeutic treatment Browns Sports and Leisure Club has an excellent range of facilities both nearby and on site. For the rest of your wellness needs 7 Spa at Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas Golf Resort & Spa, Portugal's largest spa, has a full menu of treatments including healing water treatments, facials, body treatments, holistic treatments and beauty therapies.

For tennis fans looking to grab some tuition or just enjoy free play with friends and family Vilamoura Tennis & Padel Academy is flushed with facilities. In addition to a bunch of courts there is a mini football pitch for kids under 12, a pro shop to buy or rent equipment, a playground and restaurant. Or you can try the fast growing Padel that mixes elements of tennis, badminton and squash.

Water sports are available up and down the coast and if you are looking to enjoy the Algarve by horseback or on a bike there are facilities in nearby Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Albufeira.

Explore

Being a purpose built leisure resort located virtually in the middle of the Algarve, Vilamoura has plenty to explore.

The Vilamoura Marina is undoubtedly the centrepiece of the region and has a number of cruises operating out of there. The likes of Algarve Seafaris Cruises are on hand offering coastline excursions for those looking to explore the caves, dive off a glass bottomed boat or go on a sunset cruise. The Condor de Vilamourais and sister sailer Catamaran Vital are also great ways to experience the pleasure of taking a comfortable catamaran to visit the nature and old fishing villages along the coast.

With over 20 years’ experience operating from the Marina, Cruzeiros da Oura is one of the longest established cruise, sailing and big game fishing companies in the Algarve. They offer a range of cruises and fishing programs that can be enjoyed alone or in large groups with a discount for children up to 12 years old. Then there is the Champagne Cruises Luxury Boat Charter Service who let you explore the coastline in style on one of their fleet of 3 luxurious yachts. Champagne Cruises gives your tour of the golden beaches, awesome caves and stunning rock formations a touch of glamour.

Looking inward from the coast a trip to Loule will give you the chance to experience the real, authentic Portugal. Usually an unhurried peaceful place this market town comes alive on Saturday mornings when the daily market expands to include a farmer’s market. If this is your first trip, or you want to be fully immersed in Loule Market life, half day tours are available. Your local guide shares insider tips for you to enjoy Loulé's culture plus you’ll learn a bit about the history of Loulé and about its Roman and Arabic legacy.

History fans should also check out the archaeological site of Cerro da Vila with its uncovered Roman ruins. The artefacts found there have helped people discover insights into the daily life of the former inhabitants of the Algarve in ancient times.

Vilamoura Marina

Unlike the majority of Portugal's other marinas, Vilamoura Marina is known for its glitz rather than seaside charm. Modern, lively and sophisticated, Vilamoura developed around its marina. The largest in the country with 1300 berths, Vilamoura Marina is the main hub of entertainment, not only for those who arrive by boat, but for everyone spending a holiday in the area who come here in the late afternoon or evening to enjoy an ice cream or dinner.

At the marina tourists are well catered for. Boats can be hired for fishing trips; there are four golf courses in the immediate area, a pine forest, and a water park. A museum can be found next to the Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila, giving visitors an insight into the history of the area.

It’s also the right place for shopping, with a wide range from local craft stores to the most prestigious international brands. As for the nightlife, there are many bars and clubs with the best DJs and the Vilamoura Casino promises to really get the adrenaline running.

Vilamoura Marina is the main centre of activity with a huge range of restaurants, bars and shops (including many designer shops). The lively Irish pubs O’Neill’s and Irish Bar can be found here and The Punter and Oshea’s just a street or two away. The upmarket Atlantico Piano Bar and Luis Figo's 'Bar Sete' (bar seven) are also on the marina front with Cool Cod Cocktails Bar just one street back.

Right next to the marina on Praia Vale do Lobo is the ultra-swanky Purobeach Vilamoura. Its beach club and pool lounge areas are two of the coolest places to relax in Vilamoura under one roof. During the day, although it can get quite busy, it's an interesting place to explore and stroll around. By night Vilamoura Marina is a great location for a relaxed evening of people watching on one of the big restaurant terraces.