Quinta do Lago is a gated community and golf resort in Almancil, Loulé, in the Algarve region of Portugal.
Understand
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.
Get in
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.
Get around
See above: renting a car is really the only practical way to get around (apart from golf buggies).
See
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.
Do
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.
Buy
Local pottery is well worth a look.
Eat
There are several very good restaurants in Vale do Lobo and many more in surrounding towns and villages.
- 1 Casa do Lago, Roundabout 6, Av. Ayrton Senna de Silva, ☏ 351 289 394 911, ✉[email protected]. Daily 10:00-17:00. Famous for shellfish, and grilled lobster. Outdoor terrace, pool and fire pit. Mains €20-30.
- 2 Gigi's, ☏ 351 964 045 178, ✉[email protected]. Mar-Nov: daily 12:30–16:30. On the sand dunes, the wooden house sits on a stretch of white sand and offers idyllic views of Ria Formosa National Park.
Drink
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.
Sleep
- 1 Quinta do Lago Hotel, Rua Quinta do Lago 1, Quinta do Lago, Almancil, Loulé, ☏ 351 289 350 350, ✉[email protected].
- 2 Encosta do Lago Resort Club, Avenida Ayrton Senna da Silva, Quinta Do Lago, Almancil, Loulé, ☏ 351 289 359 660, ✉[email protected].
Stay safe
Quinta do Lago is private land and there is a 24-hour security patrol.