Updated October 2026 • 7 min read
Vilamoura is a planned resort in the municipality of Loulé, in the central Algarve, built from the late 1960s around a large marina. It is best known for its marina, with restaurants, bars and boat trips, five golf courses, sandy beaches on both sides of the harbour and the Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila. It suits golfers, families and couples looking for a calmer, more upmarket base than Albufeira, with Faro Airport close by.
This guide covers what to do in Vilamoura, its beaches and golf courses, day trips, where to stay and how it compares with Albufeira.
Vilamoura at a Glance
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Where | Central Algarve, municipality of Loulé, between Albufeira and Quarteira |
| Best for | Golf, families, couples, marina life |
| Don't miss | The marina, Praia da Falésia, Cerro da Vila, a round of golf |
| Golf | Five courses, including the Old Course, opened in 1969 |
| How long | A day for the marina and beaches, a week as a base for the central Algarve |
Things to Do in Vilamoura
1. Spend an evening at the marina
Vilamoura Marina, inaugurated in 1974, is the centre of the resort, with berths for hundreds of yachts and promenades lined with restaurants, bars, shops and ice cream parlours. It is busiest in the evening, when people come to eat by the water. A casino stands next to the marina.
2. Go to the beach
Vilamoura has sandy beaches on both sides of the marina:
- Praia de Vilamoura (Praia da Marina): right next to the marina on the eastern side, sheltered by the breakwater, with Blue Flag status and accessible facilities.
- Praia da Falésia and Rocha Baixinha: west of the marina, the long beach that runs towards Albufeira below red and ochre cliffs. Keep away from the base of the cliffs.
- Praia de Quarteira: east of Vilamoura, with a long promenade, restaurants and Blue Flag status, connected to Vilamoura by a walkway through the dunes.
More beaches
3. Play golf
Vilamoura is one of the Algarve's main golf areas, with five courses close together:
- Old Course: the oldest, opened in 1969 and designed by Frank Pennink.
- Pinhal: opened in 1976 among umbrella pines and later refined by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
- Laguna: opened in 1990, designed by Joseph Lee.
- Millennium: opened in 2000, designed by Martin Hawtree, sharing a clubhouse with Laguna.
- Victoria: host of the Portugal Masters from 2007 to 2022, being redeveloped as The Els Club Vilamoura.
⛳ VILAMOURA 3-DAY GOLF PASS
Three rounds of 18 holes on the Pinhal, Millennium and Old Course in Vilamoura.
See the golf pass →4. Visit the Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila
Next to the marina, Cerro da Vila preserves the remains of a Roman settlement from the 1st century AD, with houses, baths, fish-salting tanks and fragments of mosaic floors. It was later used by the Visigoths and the Moors. The site was discovered in 1963 and has a small museum and interpretation centre.
5. Walk or cycle in the Vilamoura Environmental Park
The Parque Ambiental de Vilamoura, on the western side of the resort, is a flat area of reedbeds, ponds and a lake with circular trails of roughly 7 to 12 km and two bird hides. It is a good spot for birdwatching, with species such as the purple swamphen and black-winged stilt, and an easy walk or bike ride away from the marina.
6. Explore Quarteira and Loulé
Quarteira, next door, is a traditional fishing town with a seafront promenade and a fish and produce market. Inland, Loulé has a red-domed market hall, a castle and, on Saturdays, a large outdoor market.
LOULÉ MARKET HALF-DAY TOUR
A half-day guided trip to Loulé, with time at the market hall and in the old town.
See the tour →7. Family days out
Vilamoura is close to several of the Algarve's family attractions, including Zoomarine near Guia, karting at Almancil and the water parks of the central Algarve.
Family activities
Day Trips from Vilamoura
The central location makes Vilamoura a good base for exploring:
- Benagil and the sea caves: boat trips from Albufeira Marina or kayak tours from Benagil.
- Faro, Olhão and the Ria Formosa: the Old Town of Faro and boat trips to the lagoon islands.
- Lagos and Sagres: the western Algarve, Ponta da Piedade and Cape St Vincent.
- Seville: a full-day tour across the border, with pick-up from the central Algarve.
- Lisbon: a long day trip by tour, or better as a few nights at the start or end of the trip.
RIA FORMOSA SUPREME SMALL-GROUP TOUR
A day in the eastern Algarve with Loulé's market hall and an olive oil tasting, with pick-up from Vilamoura and Quarteira.
See the tour →More day trips
Vilamoura or Albufeira?
| Vilamoura | Albufeira | |
|---|---|---|
| Atmosphere | Calmer, planned resort around a marina | Livelier, old town and a busy nightlife strip |
| Best for | Golf, families, couples | Groups of friends, nightlife, families |
| Beaches | Marina beach, Falésia and Quarteira | Many beaches and coves in and around town |
| Golf | Five courses on the doorstep | Several courses within a short drive |
| Feel | Modern and upmarket | Traditional old town plus big resort areas |
Choose Vilamoura for golf and a relaxed beach holiday, Albufeira for nightlife and a historic old town. The two are only a short drive apart, so it is easy to visit one from the other.
Compare towns
Where to Stay in Vilamoura
Most hotels are around the marina, close to the beach, or next to the golf courses inland.
| Hotel | Location | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Crowne Plaza Vilamoura | A 2-minute walk from Vilamoura Beach | Family-friendly, outdoor and indoor pools, spa |
| Hilton Vilamoura As Cascatas | A 3-minute drive from the marina | Golf resort with five outdoor pools and a spa |
| Anantara Vilamoura | Near the golf courses | Family-friendly luxury hotel with a spa |
| Vila Galé Marina | A 15-minute walk from the marina and beach | Family-friendly, outdoor and indoor pools |
| Dom Pedro Marina | A 15-minute walk from the marina and beach | Beach hotel with an outdoor pool |
| Four Seasons Vilamoura | A 7-minute drive from the Old Course | Family-friendly aparthotel with a spa |
| Pestana Vila Sol Golf | Near Vilamoura, a 10-minute drive from the marina | Golf resort with tennis courts |
Book a hotel in Vilamoura
How to Get to Vilamoura
- From Faro Airport: about half an hour by car or transfer along the A22, which has had no tolls since 2025.
- By train: the nearest station is Loulé, on the Algarve line, a few kilometres inland. A taxi or bus completes the trip.
- By bus: Vamus buses link Vilamoura with Quarteira, Loulé, Albufeira and Faro.
Best Time to Visit Vilamoura
- June to September: warmest weather and sea, busiest beaches and marina.
- March to May and October to November: the best seasons for golf, with mild temperatures.
- Winter: quiet and mild, with golf, walks and the marina restaurants still open.
ALGARVE ESSENTIAL PACKAGE
Flights, hotel and airport transfers in the Algarve, with time for the marina, the beaches and a round of golf in Vilamoura.
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Book now →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vilamoura worth visiting?
Yes, especially for golf, a marina setting and a relaxed beach holiday. It has five golf courses, sandy beaches on both sides of the marina and the Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila.
Is Vilamoura or Albufeira better?
Vilamoura is calmer and better for golf and families. Albufeira is livelier, with an old town and more nightlife. They are a short drive apart.
Does Vilamoura have a beach?
Yes. Praia de Vilamoura is next to the marina, Praia da Falésia runs west towards Albufeira and Praia de Quarteira lies to the east.
How far is Vilamoura from Faro Airport?
About half an hour by car or transfer.
How many golf courses are in Vilamoura?
Five: the Old Course, Pinhal, Laguna, Millennium and Victoria.
What is there to do in Vilamoura at night?
Dinner and drinks at the marina restaurants and bars, and the casino next to the marina. For bigger nightlife, Albufeira is a short drive away.
