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Ever traveled to a place that was touted as the ultimate paradise only to discover that it’s an unbearable tourist trap?
For me that was Albufeira, probably one of the magical ‘hidden gems’ of the Algarve.
Imagine boring, overpriced food, beaches overloaded with tourists, and what should be fascinating streets that have no authenticity whatsoever, with souvenir shop owners pestering you at every turn to ‘come and have a look’.
Was Albufeira beautiful from its many elevated viewpoints? Yes.
Are there much better places to visit? Yes.
One of these is the city of Faro, the capital of the sunniest region in Europe. The other is that a gatekeeper did a masterful job of staying quiet.
I was lucky to score a lot at 5 stars Hilton Vilamoura Golf & Spa Resort last month, and in the process, learned less Quarteira is a secret hideaway for budget-friendly resorts and seaside tranquility, with a panorama of whitewashed buildings and beautiful beaches without crowds.
No beach crowd in sight
You can’t come all the way to the Algarve without taking the time to visit the shiny golden beaches in the vitamin D-rich region.
Some are better than others, and a lot of it has to do with crowd control.
Fortunately, Quarteira’s beautiful coasts are off the traditional tourist trail, which was confirmed by my visits to Albufeira and Faro.
Quarteira is located between both destinations, but I can tell you that this aesthetically picturesque town is the perfect base in the Algarve.
Don’t confuse the marina with the best waterfront in town. Here you’ll find everything from Irish pubs to hole-in-the-wall restaurants serving traditional Portuguese dishes.
But no beaches. Just delicious food, cold beer and postcard-worthy sunsets over dozens of docked boats and luxury hotels.
The beaches of Quarteira are the place where you will discover a pure paradise, especially with such mild winters.
There are a huge number of beaches to choose from, including Praia do Allegerm, Praia da Falesia (absolutely stunning!), and my personal favourite, Praia Alegre.
In the latter you will find no crowds and half-empty wine and tapas bars on the beach to score a front row seat for a almost private sunset show like the one I had Teixeira.
Affordable luxury: spacious luxury accommodations within reach
Returning to where I stayed (Hilton Vilamoura Golf & Spa Resort), I can’t recommend it enough.
Just one Free 5 minute shuttle ride to the beautiful marina and an easy Uber or Bolt As far as beaches go, the location, service, and angelically comfortable rooms rank high in the high end of my years of various resort stays.
Not to mention the six pools on site, including an indoor heated pool and flowing waterfalls that create a serene atmosphere.
While I can’t speak to the experiences of other resorts, I can tell you that the luxury stays in Quarteira are incredibly wallet-friendly, usually located on the upscale side of the area. Vilamoura.
See for yourself:
4-star accommodations:
Browns Sports Resort ($85)
Aquashow Park Hotel ($158)
5-star accommodations:
Pestana Vila Sol ($99)
Hilton Vilamoura Golf & Spa Resort ($122)
Domes Lake Algarve, Autograph Collection ($147)
Anantare Vilamoura Algarve ($152)
What you need to know before you go: Hilton Vilamoura Golf & Spa Resort is closed due to renovation December 1, 2024 – February 8, 2025
Arrive hungry and leave happy: Quarteira’s endless wine and tapas
The Algarve is not only the sunniest region in Europe, it is also the cheapest beach holiday.
If you thought Spain was the place to take advantage of wine and tapas, think again!
Between $3 glasses of wine and multi-page menus with a selection of cheap, savory tapas, you might not want to show off what your mother gave you at the resort pool after all.
Ranging from Albufeira to the city of Faro, there were seemingly endless wine and tapas bars to sit back, relax and enjoy the sights, sounds and flavors that bring the region to life.
My personal favorite was one I discovered my last night in Quarteira and ironically the only place I saw any semblance of a crowd outside of the Hilton’s numerous pools.
Social is a must visit. Do yourself a favor and let the servers work their magic by pairing the perfect wine with your selection of tapas.
Whatever you do, hit the Flamed black pork chorizo served on an open fire, followed by a drunk pear for dessert.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
