With about hundreds of spaces for boats, Vilamoura Marina is a large and busy harbor in the center of the town. All types of yachts and cruisers adorn the picturesque marina, which is bordered by restaurants, bars and clubs. Watch people go by and soak up the lively atmosphere amid the town’s charming waterways.
Luxury hotels and apartment complexes dominate the skyline enclosing this harbor. Dine at one of the stylish restaurants and try local conquilhas clams that are harvested from nearby beaches.
After a meal, walk with your family along the pier past the speedboats and yachts and pick out your favorites. Snap photos of the colorful fishing boats adorning the narrow river that runs beside the marina and empties into the Atlantic Ocean.
Boat trips depart from this harbor to nearby destinations, such as Lagos. Join a big-game fishing expedition or go on an excursion to spot dolphins in the ocean. Arrange watersports trips with some of the tour operators near the marina. Parasailing, scuba diving and waterskiing are among the many activities available here.
Walk south along the sides of the marina until you reach the flat, sandy terrain of Vilamoura Beach. On the harbor’s western border is Rocha Baixinha Nascente Beach, where you’ll find a surf school and several restaurants.
Stay in the marina until late and watch the sunset create golden hues in the scenic area. Note that this enormous marina was constructed by a private firm in the 1970s. A casino, sports clubs and golf courses encircle it. Get a sense of the local nightlife at one of the clubs backing onto the marina.
Vilamoura Marina is at the southern end of the town, where a narrow river meets the Atlantic Ocean. Drive west from Faro for 40 minutes to arrive in the area. Visit some of the nearby sights, including the Cerro da Vila Estação Arqueológica, the Family Golf Park and the Casino Vilamoura.
