GOLF: The Algarve has a huge choice of golf courses within a short distance that are available to those on holiday. The nearest courses are Pine cliffs and Bahlia. The many well known courses of Villamoura are within an easy 15 minute drive. Good discounts are available for most courses by arranging pre-booking through a local agent and paying cash. Please ask for further details.

SHOPPING: There are two very large new out of town shopping and leisure areas. The first is at Guia (ALGARVE SHOPPING) which is about 15 minutes by car. Here you will find a very large hypermarket (CONTINENTE) and also a good variety of other shops including designer outlets. The second is on the outskirts of Faro (FORUM ALGARVE). This is quite close to the airport and has a good range of shops including an old U.K. favourite C&A. The major store here is JUMBO which is another very large hypermarket. There are traditional markets and good shopping areas in most nearby towns where you can also find local produce and goods at cheap prices. There is also a large MAKRO store opposite Algarve shopping but please be aware that even with a U.K. MAKRO card you will not be able to shop there unless you have a Portuguese tax (fiscal) number.

EATING OUT: Both of the above shopping areas have some of the largest food courts you will ever see. Most well known worldwide franchises are there including Macdonalds, Pans & Co, Burger King, KFC & Pizza Hut. These are complemented by a great many other speciality restaurants, some take away, some buffet style and some formal. For more traditional Portuguese fare the restaurants in the many coastal resorts offer a good selection where the speciality is always the local fresh fish. For those that like their home comforts there is a British bar (Tracies) offering English Food & Beer only a 5 minute walk away from the apartment in the village square.

LEISURE: Again at both of the above shopping areas there is a multiplex cinema showing latest releases mostly in English with Portuguese subtitles (best to check!). At Algarve Shopping there is also an 12 lane 10 pin bowling alley with pool and football tables and arcade games. Within 20 minutes by car you will find two large water parks with rides and slides and also MARINELAND which is a smaller version of Floridas seaworld. Here you will find many interactive marine exhibits, shows and some small fairground rides. You can also book in advance for a swim with the dolphins session, at additional cost. Another attraction mainly aimed at younger children is KRAZYWORLD. This seasonal attraction has crazy golf, petting zoo, go karts and small fairground rides. At Villamoura there is a large roman themed mini golf facility called ROMA GOLF where two very good quality 18 hole mini golf courses can be found. Villamoura also has a very nice marina area with numerous shops and restaurants.  

BEACHES & WALKS: If you would like to try out some different beaches the next nearest after Olhos De Agua are MARIA LUISA (15 minute walk) and the magnificent FALESIA which is about a 10 minute drive. On the other side of Abufeira and a 20 minute drive is GALE, a personal favourite. Here there is parking with level access and a couple of very good restaurants as well as all the usual beach and watersport facilities. For walkers there are lovely clifftop walks available nearby. Further afield but within easy reach by car are the beautiful Monchique mountains and Portimao with its stunning Praia de Rocha beach boardwalk.