Quinta do lago is a place we are lucky to spend a lot of time as Slaney's dad lives there. It is a prestigious resort located in the Algarve region of Portugal, 20 minutes from Faro airport. Quinta do Lago is renowned for its luxury amenities and world-class golf courses. Aside from the golf, the stunning natural surroundings are a highlight for the area. Quinta do Lago offers luxury accommodation, fine dining, and exclusive leisure facilities, making it a sought-after destination for travelers seeking sophistication and relaxation.
So is Quinta do Lago worth visiting? YES! but we have to note, it is not cheap to holiday here. That being said the service, the area, the quality dining and the wonderful beaches are worth the price, in our opinion.
Below are our recommendations for what to do and see in Quinta do Lago and the surrounding areas. You can find all of these venues pinned for you on our map of Portugal
To book and view a range of activities in Quinta Do Lago/ Almancil area, see here
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1) Golf in Quinta do Lago area
Enjoy world-class golf at renowned courses like Quinta do Lago South, Laranjal, and Quinta do Lago North. If mini golf is more your style, try the mini golf in the centre of Quinta do lago. A fun way for some "healthy" holiday competition
2) Eat
Bovino Steakhouse: Known for its top-quality steaks and a sophisticated atmosphere. Highly recommended as one of the best restaurants in Quinta do lago
Casa Velha: Set in a charming 18th-century farmhouse, Casa Velha serves Mediterranean and Portuguese cuisine with a focus on fresh, local ingredients.
Gigi's Beach Bar: A favourite of ours. A beachfront restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere, known for its fresh seafood and stunning views.
Brava: This is a family favourite. A beautiful setting with a fairy lit garden area. A tapas style menu and a great atmosphere. We highly recommend.
The Shack: A laid-back beachside eatery known for its seafood dishes, burgers, and refreshing cocktails. A great option with children for a casual lunch or early evening meal.
Casa do Lago: Situated by a lake, this restaurant offers a diverse menu with Mediterranean influences, and its scenic location provides a tranquil dining experience.
All these venues can be found in our pinned-for-you map of Quinta Do Lago
3) Beach
Praia do Ancão: A spacious and pristine beach with fine golden sand, located between Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. This is located infront of the popular beach restaurants The bold Octopus and 2 Passos.
Praia do Garrão: Fronting Quinta do Lago and Val do Loba, a popular beach for holiday goers. Easily reached by road and has a range of popular beach front restaurants including Julia's and Izzy's.
Praia do Trafal: A quieter beach, known for its natural beauty and the nearby Ria Formosa Natural Park. A great option if you are looking to avoid the waves.
4) Walks/ cycle/ run in Quinta do Lago
Ria Formosa Hiking: The Ria Formosa Natural Park spans across was considered one of the seven wonders of Portugal. For lovers of fauna and flora who enjoy hiking in nature, there are two signposted trails, within Quinta do Lago: The Quinta do Lago Trail (about 40 minutes) and the São Lorenço Trail (one hour route).
Ludo trail: Ludo Trail is a hiking route through Ria Formosa Natural Park in Faro, Eastern Algarve, Portugal. It’s a popular route for walking, running, and cycling. The trail goes through the wetlands of the São Lourenço river, saltpans, and pine and eucalyptus forest. The trail takes approx 3 hours (7km) one way and is not a loop. You can extend this by walking the Loule boardwalk another favourite of ours.
Loulé boardwalk: Praia do Garão to Quinta do Lago: If you’re looking for an easy picturesque walk in eastern Algarve the Loulé boardwalk is a perfect route for you. The boardwalk connects Garão Beach with Faro Beach. The trail is suitable for walking, running, or cycling. There are several beautiful beaches and restaurants along the route that can be visited as a part of the walk. Approximately 4.8km long.
Review a range of walks and hikes in the area here
5) Water activities
Watersports at Quinta do Lago Lake: The lake within Quinta do Lago is ideal for paddleboarding, kayaking, and rowing. Rental facilities are available for equipment. There is a full centre near The Shack that can arrange all activities.
Boat Tours in Ria Formosa: Explore the scenic Ria Formosa lagoon with boat tours. Discover the diverse ecosystems, birdwatching opportunities, and picturesque islands.
Jet Skiing/ waterskiing/ parasailing/ kite surfing: Enjoy the thrill of jet skiing on the open waters of the Atlantic. Rental services are available, and guided tours may be an option. Talk with your accomodation as they might have a partnership and get you a good deal.
Diving and Snorkeling: Discover the underwater world by participating in diving or snorkeling excursions. Explore the diverse marine life and underwater landscapes.
Water Skiing: Experience the thrill of water skiing on the calm waters of the Ria Formosa. Instruction and rental services are typically available.
Hydrofoiling: This surfing meets windsurfing and motorboats. An increasingly popular sport on offer in Quinta do lago, right infront of Maria's beach club and the surrounding areas.
See here for a range of water activities and tours available in Quinta do Lago and the Almancil area
6) Gym, padel and rejeuvenate
Padel is a popular sport in Portugal, it seems to be particularly popular amongst the Quinta do Lago holiday goers. Definitely try it out! The campus is a great sports facility right in the centre of Quinta do Lago. It is a top tier facility with a high performance gym, tennis courts and indoor and outdoor padel courts. Purchase a day pass or a weekly pass and enjoy all the facilities, gym glasses and rejuvenate in the spa zone that has a steam room, plunge pool and outdoor swimming pool. You might even spot some sports celebrities like Renaldo himself from time-to-time.
7) Beach bars
Gigi's Beach Bar: A popular beachfront bar known for its incredible seafood menu. It's an ideal spot for a long lunch or enjoying the sunset. A more upscale option, the food is spectacular and definitely a favourite of ours.
The Shack: A popular and casual beachside bar offering a range of food and cocktails. A great option with kids as there are a few watersport options beside the venue. There are also the options to rent out loungers and spend the day there. We like to head for lunch, get some fish tacos and a drink and then head down to the main beaches.
Izzy's Beach Restaurant: Located on Praia do Ancão, Izzy's offers a chic beachside experience with a broad menu typical of the area, including seafood, salads, and cocktails. Great option for a long lunch. Of the restaurants within that main cluster along the beach, it is our favourite for lunch. The setting is nice and airy.
Maria's Beach Bar: A vibey beach bar with a relaxed ambiance but can get quite busy during peak seasons, especially on weekends. You may expect to see some live music/ djs/ saxophonists playing from time to time. Enjoy the views of the Atlantic Ocean. The best option for sunset.
The Bold Octopus: A beautiful venue with extensive ocean views and one of the best rooftops the area has to offer.
Julia's: The first beach bar to open at the Praia do Garroa beach. Julia's is a fantastic beachside bar with lovely seafood and live music throughout the week. Popular spot, reservation are encouraged during busy seasons.
2 Pessos: Consistently the best food along the beach (in our opinion) and one of the best rooftop bars too. 2 Pessos still obtains a more portuguese feel than some of the newer nearby venues and the venue is quite upscale without being pretentious. If you want a casual lunch, you can head upstairs to the rooftop bar and enjoy a traditional Bifana (Portuguese steak sandwhich)
All these venues can be found on our pinned for you map of Portugal
Some useful information about Quinta Do Lago
Quinta do lago is not cheap, but the service, venues, views etc are all top tier
Uber is used and very affordable
Having a car is highly recommended to get around
Bikes are also very useful to get around during the day, cycling along the Ria Formosa and the beaches is very easy
If you are going during the peak season/ any long weekends/ public holidays make sure you book restaurants/ accomodation and activities well in advance
You will barely hear a word of Portuguese here, everyone speaks English, it is full of expats
There is a huge range of accomodation available in Quinta do Lago. See here for all available accomodation.
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