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What's it really like ? Transfer time (approx): 25 minutes Location: Looking like a poor relation to its neighbouring resorts, Quarteira is nevertheless a favourite with Portugeuse holidaymakers and locals who come to enjoy the seaside. The hotels and apartments either run along the promenade or are set back on a street running parallel to it. The buildings are starting to show their age and appear to be stuck in an era when it was OK to pile 'em high and sell 'em cheap. It looks and feels like a budget resort and, the prices in the restaurants and shops match that description, however it is possible to get to the more upmarket resort of Vilamoura if you want to sample a few more 'frills', otherwise most people are content to stay in Quarteira for the beach and shops. Beaches: The beach in Quarteira is wide and sandy with plenty of artificial shade. It isn't exactly 'picture-postcard' and yet it's functional and clean. The sea can be unpredictable, as with all of this stretch of coastline. There are better beaches within a short taxi ride or bus journey away. Days Out: If you're a golfer you'll be spoilt for choice with some excellent courses close by Quarteira is also well placed for trips further afield including the water park just 20 minutes away. There's a fairly decent number of shops selling basic tourist needs, supplimented by a much classier selection in Vilamoura Faro - half an hour away is now home to the Algarve's biggest shopping centre with more than a hundred stores and 20 restaurants. Nights Out: Bars and cafes and restaurants along the seafront cater, not only for tourists but locals, too so the quality of traditonal dishes tends to be quite good. Bucket and Spade Brigade: A good beach resort and handy for the water parks which do offer a reasonably priced alternative to the local scene. |
