Things to see and do with a car:
Silves, Monchique and Sagres are great places to visit. Silves is dominated by Silves castle, a thrill for children! Monchique is known for the spa that is at least 2000 years old. Sagres marks the South-Western tip of Europe. The Romans called it 'the end of the world where the waters of the ocean boil at sunset'.
The boat tours that leave from the quai of Portimao explore the caves and coast of the area. Some offer dolphin watching, deep sea fishing etc. Chldren will love the pirate ship trip!
Fans of motor-racing will enjoy the new Formula 1 test circuit in Portimao. Quieter, but no less interesting are the megalithc tombstones including the neolithic chamber tomb in Alcalar, close to Portimao.
Lagoa is one of the main wine producing areas of the Algarve. Wine tasting daily at Adega.
These are just a few examples of things to do on a day off from the beaches and water parks. Visit one of the many web-pages from the Algarve and Ferragudo/Portimao region to get more ideas
Things to see and do within walking distance:
Do not forget attractions within walking distance. Ferragudo is an unusually pleasant village and you easily spend a lazy afternoon at a cafe table in the village square Praça Rainha Dona Leonor. Every second Sunday of the month there is a flea market in the village.
Praia Grande is said to have dinosaur footprints at its South end, but we haven't found them. Sao Joao de Arade is a picturesque castle right on the beach on the North side. Some say it looks like a sand castle, and we don't disagree. There is a footpath from Ferragudo through Praia Grande to the next beaches, Praia do Molhe and Praia do Pintadinho next to the lighthouse at Ponta do Altar. Take a stroll to the lighthouse one evening to watch the sunset! Next to the lighthouse is a natural pit from which you can hear, and partly see the sea far below. It is amazing and slightly scary.
The foot-path continues to Praia dos Caneiros and further to Carvoeiro via the remains of a medieval watchtower.
Scandinavian ownership:
The villa is owned by a Scandinavian family. English and Scandinavian are spoken.
Golf:
There are are numerous 18 hole championship golf courses within 15 minutes drive of the villa. Vale da Pinta (designed by Ronald Fream) and Gramacho (designed by Nick Price) are the nearest, about ten minutes away. Penina and Alto courses are a little further (20 mins). Beginners will enjoy the 9 hole par 3 course at Vale de Milho (15). Other golf courses on the Algarve are reachable in less than 45 minutes.
