Quinta do Lago

Quinta do Lago is one of the most famous golfing resorts in Europe, a very large development of extremely smart and expensive villas built around 4 championship golf courses with a good beach nearby. Housing density is very low so as to protect the flora and fauna of the Ria Formosa National Park which is adjacent.

The nearest airport is Faro. Renting a car is really the only practical way to approach Quinta do Lago. There is no public transport in Quinta do Lago and so you will need a car once there in any case.

See above: renting a car is really the only practical way to get around (apart from golf buggies).

Quinta do Lago is in the Ria Formosa National Park, a pine woodland area where the birdwatching is excellent. Follow the trails and you are away from the beaten track in no time.

Golf is among the best to be found anywhere. 4 courses (72 holes) and a further 36 holes including the famous Ocean course are at Vale do Lobo, which is a 5-minute drive away. The excellent beach at Quinta do Lago is a parallel spit (sea on both sides) reached by crossing a long wooden walkway.

Local pottery is well worth a look.

There are several very good restaurants in Vale do Lobo and many more in surrounding towns and villages.

• Casa do Lago

  phone: +351 289 394 911
  address: Roundabout 6, Av. Ayrton Senna de Silva
  Famous for shellfish, and grilled lobster. Outdoor terrace, pool and fire pit.

• Casa Gigi

  phone: +351 964 045 178
  On the sand dunes, the wooden house sits on a stretch of white sand and offers idyllic views of Ria Formosa National Park.

Cafe and nightlife is to be found at Quinta do Lago's Bougainvillea Centre (where there are two bars and nightclub) and in the neighbouring Vale do Lobo where the Praca provides a very popular nightspot with nightclub, restaurants and bars.

• Quinta do Lago Hotel

  address: Quinta do Lago, Almancil 8135-024

• Encosta do Lago

  address: Quinta Do Lago, 8135-866 Almancil

Quinta do Lago is private land and there is a 24-hour security patrol.