Move Over Madeira! This Golden Beach Town Is Portugal’s Best Kept Secret

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All of us at Travel Off Path know the dreadful feeling of visiting a hyped-up resort city that seems to be nothing in need of a vacationer lure.

What you envisioned in your thoughts as a serene slice of paradise ended up being a sore spot in your thoughts’s eye, even a 12 months after visiting.

Well, that is the case for me…

Last 12 months, I had the nice pleasure of visiting Portugal for the primary time — it is actually a shocking nation culturally, visually, and let’s simply say I may by no means go hungry right here…

The city that was most advisable to me was Albufeira. After an hour being pestered by distributors whereas roaming the scenic streets and attempting to absorb sweeping coastal views from very overpriced rooftop eating places, I used to be past prepared to move again to what turned considered one of my favourite seashore cities, not solely in Portugal, however all of Europe.

Home to just about no crowds, insanely reasonably priced 5-star resorts, and sensational delicacies that I’ve but to duplicate again residence, the whitewashed hideaway of Quarteira needs to be excessive in your wishlist when you’re seeking winter sun ‘throughout the pond’ this winter.

Enjoy Spotless Golden Beaches

You do not want Al Roker to let you know the Algarve is considered one of Europe’s sunniest winter locations. Therefore, a visit right here with out ample seashore days in your plans is a downright sin.

Another purpose I felt Albufeira was overhyped was the quantity of crowds pouring into their seashores.

Was it a ravishing seashore? Of course — it is Portugal! But even in late fall/early winter, you do not fairly anticipate the extent of crowds we did for a city that is actually not a family title.

Fortunately, we made our base in Quarteira, mendacity off the standard vacationer path, though its resorts are top-notch.

While enjoyable bars and breezy eating places horseshoe the colourful marina, you should not confuse its calm waters and superb sunsets as your go-to for its finest waterfront.

Quarteira’s true seashores are the place you will uncover pure paradise — the sort we have been hoping for in Albufeira.

Boasting sprawling golden seashores that really feel untouched, with footprint-free sand and genuine hole-in-the-walls serving up Portuguese fare, Quarteira delivers the laid-back coastal escape most vacationers don’t even understand they’re lacking.

I am unable to suggest these 3 seashores sufficient:

• Praia do Almargem
• Praia da Falesia
• Praia Alegre (my favourite!)

You’ll all the time discover an open barstool or desk at quite a few wine and tapas bars to select from, together with a spot that is by no means left my thoughts anytime I’ve had tapas over the previous 12 months — Teixiera.

Name-Brand Resorts At Bargain Bin Prices

Listen, all of us need to deal with ourselves once in a while, particularly with our 9-to-5 workloads and newfound normalcy of getting a number of sources of revenue.

While it is far more possible to make a fast journey to Mexico to a fancy all-inclusive resort, when you discovered these charges south of the border, there would by no means be an out there room.

My girlfriend and I stayed at Hilton Vilamoura Golf & Spa Resort, a flawless oasis with quite a few swimming pools, tranquil waterfalls, and attentive employees to make you’re feeling like royalty.

It was superior then, and truthful to say even higher now, as we timed our journey excellent earlier than an intensive makeover came about.

Now open once more with a contemporary glow-up, this resort is healthier than ever, however the perfect information for you is that their costs do not mirror it.

Rates hover within the low $100s all through winter. Keep in thoughts, it isn’t all-inclusive, however who would go up a sangria pitcher poolside?

Yeah, you will be right here some time…

When you do depart, the resort affords a free shuttle to the marina for cheaper meals and drinks.

Hilton isn’t alone in Quarteira’s reasonably priced resort scene in ritzy Vilamoura. Check these out too:

• 4-star lodges:
• Browns Sports Resort
• Aquashow Park Hotel

• 5-star lodges:
• Pestana Vila Sol
• Anantare Vilamoura Algarve
• Domes Lake Algarve, Autograph Collection

Quarteira’s Food Is Fire! (Literally)

Newsflash: Spain isn’t the undisputed champ of wine and tapas.

As a lot as I beloved pigging out in Mallorca, I gotta say Quarteira was subsequent stage.

Wine was as little as $3 per glass, and the menu pages have been fairly probably longer than the Cheesecake Factory supplied an array of tapas that I in all probability would’ve wanted to be wheeled out if my girlfriend did not make me cease consuming.

Social shortly turned considered one of my favourite eating places out of all my European jaunts — and I’ve been to some wonderful foodie cities.

Let the skilled employees work their magic with excellent pairings like Flamed Black Pork Chorizo that actually made me go on strike from consuming no matter Mexico characterizes as chorizo for months — it was that good.

You actually cannot go fallacious selecting any restaurant right here apart from the touristy Irish pubs. Definitely go for extra conventional Mom ‘n Pop tavernas and you will thank me later.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based mostly in San Diego has visited 36 nations and written over 1000 articles with a concentrate on sharing his personal journey experiences and shining a light-weight on lesser-known gems.