Travel Eye on Quarteira (Algarve, Portugal)

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Overview:

Conveniently located to the east of Vilamoura, Quarteira has developed into one of the Algarve's top resorts since the boom of the 1970/1980s. With safe bathing conditions and a long, sandy beach running virtually uninterrupted all the way to Faro, it is mostly popular with holidaymakers during the summer months, as well as golfers during the low season.
Along with the beach, Quarteira's principle attraction is its lengthy promenade, bordered by rustling palms, bright flowering hibiscus and the white and pink of the oleander. In the evening, this pleasant seaside walkway is filled with an endless stream of families and couples inspecting the restaurant menus, which all feature freshly-caught fish bought directly from the local market. Quarteira is within easy reach of several championship golf courses, including the Old Course at Vilamoura and the Royal Course at Vale do Lobo. 15 km inland lies Loulé, one of the most interesting places in the Algarve.

Besides its 13th-century parish church, the town's weekly Gypsy market on Saturday is a major attraction for visitors, who snap up lace tablecloths, shoes, pottery and leather belts and bags for family and friends back home. Despita a wealth of activities and attractions the resort has little promenant style and consists mostly of high-rise blocks lining the promenade and an avenue running parallel behind. The area is also quite compact giving it a cramped feeling. The accommodation in the area is mainly mid-range self-catering apartments with a variety of lower budget hotels. Visitors are mainly Economy-minded which is reflected in the mostly 2- and 3-star accommodation. The Buses are fairly frequent to all the major resorts in the Algarve. Taxis are available from main square near market or can be called from any reception, bar or restaurant. Car hire can be booked direct from almost every hotel receptions, bars and restaurants.

Locality:

Quarteira is 15 miles West of Faro and its airport. The resort is situated between Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo and backed by hilly residential area.

Entertainment/Attractions/Things to do:

Quarteira Beach is a long, wide and sandy with some water sports available throughout the high season. Sunbeds and shades are abundant (small fee), there are many snack bars along the promenade for refreshing ice-creams, drinks. A Wide range of souvenir shops and supermarkets offer perfect gift shopping. There is also a weekly gypsy market near the border with Vilamoura. During the daytime there are daily fruit and fish markets.

The Water park which is 1½ miles from centre on main Quarteira to Loule road offers great famly entertainment. Night time offers several clubs and discos, and for the gambling types within us a casino in neighbouring Vilamoura. As with all resorts there are a great number of restaurants with wide range of choice. Cataplana (pork and clams steamed in a wok-like saucepan) is a speciality and never the same in any two restaurants.

The local cuisine is a must. For Half day excursions maybe take a tour along coast to Spain, taking in thhe beautiful Portuguese fishing villages. For a full day and the more adventurous a 4x4 jeep safari of remote hilly areas. For the more serene an extended coastal tour or maybe a trip to Lisbon for shopping and historic monuments (long day).