Portugal – Albufeira

We are very happy to have discovered a friendly, affordable hotel on the glorious Algarve, which we are sure will be a hit.

The golden sandy beaches of the Algarve are washed clean every day by the Atlantic, which has also created the spectacular cliffs which you’ll see on every postcard. While this is a hugely popular holiday spot, there are still picturesque fishing ports and old towns to discover, while the sophisticated resorts and championship golf courses add an extra dimension.

Albufeira’s white-washed Old Town is well-preserved, with excellent bars and clubs welcoming the town’s visitors after dark. There are umpteen beaches in the area, so in the unlikely event that you tire of ‘ours’ it is easy to explore further afield.

With the fresh Atlantic breezes, sailing and windsurfing are popular watersports and tennis is also an option, while serious golfers may want to pre-book a round if you want to play any of the famous courses.

Velamar Hotel

The friendly Velamar Hotel is a real find in the little fishing village of Olhos d’Agua, just outside Albufeira. The beach is beautiful, with a fresh water spring bubbling up through the golden sand, while the rising cliffs above are covered in pine trees.

There are several bars and restaurants in the village itself, while the bright lights of Albufeira are just 5 kilometres or a short taxi ride away – alternatively the regular local bus passes the hotel’s front door.

The Velamar offers good 3-star standards with attentive service. The rooms are spotlessly clean, with modern styling and good facilities. A highlight is the rooftop restaurant which has spectacular sea views – breakfast here is a great way to start the day. You can cool off in the pool, while the beach is a 10-15 minute walk down the hill.