Alentejo Litoral holiday house: Vila Nova de Milfontes

Surf School

There is an excellent surf school based in the town, which takes novices and more experienced surfers, provides all equipment and transport to nearby surf beaches. You can book in for the whole week, or just a few days, and drop off and be collected from the rendezvous which is only 5 minutes walk from the house. Very nice English speaking instructor. Please contact us if you are interested in booking surf school.

Car Hire

Portugal enjoys some of the cheapest car hire in Europe - as little as £10 a day off peak. Several car hire companies at Faro Airport where cars are picked up and dropped off - very easy and convenient. We always go through lastminute.com to get the best deal.

Off peak holidays

Milfontes is delightful outside of the season, the weather in the depths of winter can still be very bright and sunny, and the town doesn't experience frosts. Milfontes is roughly the same latitude as the heel of Italy, but benefits from the mild effects of the Atlantic ocean. Very good light all year round. We recommend guests use the top floor sitting room (studio) in winter with its underfloor heating (sitting room & bathroom), and access to the roof terrace for warmer days. Not all the restaurants are open in the winter but there is still a good choice. Single travelers will find it a safe and friendly place to stay. Special rates for longer winter breaks available - please enquire.

Cost of living/holidaying in Portugal

The Daily Telegraph on Saturday January 26th featured a Portugal 2008 supplement, which identified Portugal as the cheapest Euro zone country - beer and food can be half the price of Spain for instance. Petrol is cheaper here and car hire the cheapest in Europe. Eating out is inexpensive and in Milfontes the restaurants are nearly all authentic Portuguese. The same article highlights the Alentejo region as increasingly popular for exploring Roman and other sights. 'The Atlantic coast is wild here but there is good swimming at Vila Nova de Milfontes' - but be warned - this is not the Med and the sea is cold!

Lonely Planet edition 2007

The most recent Lonely Planet guide has a really nice section on Vila Nova de Milfontes and the surrounding area. One of the two authors refers to the town as a highlight of his favourite trip in Portugal (page 16) and there is a much expanded section on Vila Nova (pages 264-266), with restaurant reviews, activities etc. 'One of the loveliest towns along this stretch of coast, Vila Nova de Milfontes has an attractive white washed centre, sparkling beaches nearby and a laid-back population that couldn't imagine living anywhere else.'