VILAMOURA FAQ'S

How do I get from the airport to my hotel?

Faro Airport (IATA code FAO), located 15 miles from Vilamoura Marina, is the main international airport link North America and Europe has with the Algarve. With over 6 million travelers in 2015, it is the third-busiest airport in Portugal. Ryanair, easyJet, and Monarch Airlines use Faro Airport as a hub.

Proximo, the bus system in Faro, runs a route (#14) from the airport`s arrivals terminal to Faro bus station. The bus ticket will cost under €4 and can be purchased directly from the driver. Buses run between the airport and the city at least three times an hour every day between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. (longer and more frequent service on weekdays). To learn more, visit www.proximo.pt/en.

EVA Transportes offers normal and direta bus service from Faro bus station to Vilamoura and Quarteira. Normal service begins every day at 6:30 a.m., arriving in Quarteira 37 minutes later and Vilamoura five minutes afterward. Normal service runs intermittently (every 30 minutes to every hour and 15 minutes) until the last bus leaves Faro at 6:45 p.m. Direct service (direta) begins with the 7:15 a.m. bus from Faro, arriving in Quarteira 32 minutes later and Vilamoura five minutes afterward. There are three buses that leave Faro in the morning (7:15 a.m., 8:10 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.), followed by five in the afternoon and evening (1:30, 2:00, 4:00, 4:30 and 7:15 p.m.). Direct service only runs on weekdays (except holidays). Limited service exists on weekends for the normal route (nine routes versus 15). To buy your ticket, you can do so online at www.eva-bus.com (website in English and Portuguese).

A taxi rank is located just outside Faro Airport`s arrivals terminal, and you will notice a big sign that quotes taxi prices from Faro Airport to various locations throughout the Algarve. Taxi service to Vilamoura or Quarteira will set you back at least €30, and that is not counting surcharges for extra baggage or taking into account nights, weekends or holidays (when fares rise at least 20%).

How do I get from the train station to my hotel?

The closest train station to Vilamoura is Boliqueime, located six miles northwest of town. It is a stop on the Comboios de Portugal Algarve Line, running from Lagos to Vila Real de Santo Antonio on the Spanish border. There is a small taxi area located outside Boliqueime train station. Expect to pay at least €15 to get to Vilamoura or Quarteira.

How do I get around using public transportation?

Transportes Urbanos Loule administers daily bus service to Vilamoura and Quarteira. The white line (`linha branca`) takes visitors to various sights around Vilamoura, such as the Marina and Casino Vilamoura. The green line (`linha verde`) links Vilamoura and Quarteira, starting at Casino Vilamoura and continuing on to Quarteira`s bus station. The green line begins service each day at 7:30 a.m., and the white line at 7:45 a.m. Both of these lines run every half-hour during weekday rush hours, and every 45 minutes to an hour any other time, until 12:30 a.m. (including weekends and holidays). The green line in particular offers nighttime service (`servico noturno`) every evening, on the hour, from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Tourist tickets (`bilhetes turisticos`) cost €2 for a one-day pass and €3 for two days. These tickets can be bought at the Bilheteira Aldeia do Mar on Avenida Tivoli in Vilamoura, and at the bus station (terminal rodoviario) in Quarteira. For more information on the white and green bus routes serving Vilamoura and Quarteira, visit www.lcglobal.pt/pt/transporte-urbano/loule (Portuguese).

Delgaturis (www.delgaturis.com, website in both English and Portuguese) runs a tourist train ('comboio turistico') from March to November in Vilamoura. The tourist trains are either yellow and red or white and red in color. Depending on the time of year, tourist trains run every 20 minutes (high season) to an hour (low season).

The first train usually picks up at Vilamoura Beach around 10 a.m., with the last train leaving in the 6 o`clock hour. Stops along the way include a number of hotels, Praia da Falesia, and Cerro da Vila. (Note that there is a break in service between 12:50 p.m. and 2:10 p.m. for lunch.) An all-day adult ticket costs €6 with VAT included. To purchase tickets, consult the Delgaturis website or visit their offices on Avenida Tivoli in Vilamoura.

How do I call/hail a taxi?

Flagging down taxicabs as they are driving down the road is not done in Vilamoura or Quarteira. Locals recommend calling for a cab when you need one, or approaching cabs parked in front of hotels or other tourist areas.

Radio Taxis de Vilamoura (289 315 650) is the main taxi company serving Vilamoura and Quarteira. There is a taxi rank in Vilamoura at the end of Vilamoura Marina, near the Figo bar and Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Beware in the summertime: long queues can mean a wait of thirty minutes to an hour. Fares start at €4 for the first 1.8 miles, and then €1 for each 0.6 miles thereafter. Prices go up in excess of 20% after 10 p.m., all day on weekends, and on public holidays.

Should I rent a car in Vilamoura?

Renting a car in Vilamoura and Quarteira is an option, although it isn't required, as the vast majority of our recommended points of interest can be reached via bus, Tourist Train or taxi. For those travelers who are interested in exploring the Algarve's water parks, a car is recommended.

If you do wish to rent a car, we recommend that you book your vehicle during the reservation process. This would mean that you would pick up your car at Faro Airport upon entering Portugal, and not in Vilamoura or Quarteira. If you decide to rent a car after arriving, Budget and Europcar are represented in Vilamoura.

NOTE: Be sure to ask your TripMasters booking agent about car parking fees; many resorts in Vilamoura and Quarteira charge daily fees to use their on-site parking lots or garages.

Is Vilamoura a walking city?

The beauty of Vilamoura is that you can make your experience as plush as possible. For those who wish to walk, distances are manageable. A walk from the western side of Vilamoura Marina to the eastern end of Quarteira (nearly the entire width of the two towns together) clocks in at just over two miles. For those who don`t want to walk, there are many transportation options available with varying price and comfort levels.

Is Vilamoura a dangerous city? Are there any areas I should avoid?

The economies of Vilamoura and Quarteira revolve around the tourist industry, with many high-end, five-star hotels in the vicinity. As a result, the towns are safe and there are no areas that are dangerous during the day or night. Nevertheless, take the normal traveling precautions: While out and about, stick to well-lit and well-populated routes, keep your wits about you, and always look like you know where you are going, even when you may not. Be sure to keep your valuables on your person at all times, and never keep all of your money in one place; split up your cash into various pockets in your clothes.

Which areas are the best for shopping?

Shopping in Vilamoura is centered around Vilamoura Marina. Around the Marina, there are hundreds of different retailers, ranging from Algarve handicrafts to luxury clothing and jewelry. Quarteira is well-known for its linens, and clothing made from these linens are generally considered to be high-quality. You can also find unique pottery pieces at select shops in central Quarteira.

Can I pay/tip in US dollars?

The currency of Portugal is the Euro and US dollars are not accepted for payment. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival. Currency exchange desks and ATMs can be found at the airport and many locations throughout Vilamoura and Quarteira.

I do not speak Portuguese. Do many people speak English?

It is more common to find English speakers in Portugal than it is in other southern European countries, such as Spain. A recent European Union language survey found that 32% of Portuguese people over the age of 18 can speak English on a conversational level or better.

Vilamoura and Quarteira cater heavily to tourists and in most of your interactions, you should be able to find someone who speaks English. It is still recommended to brush up on basic Portuguese phrases before arriving, like basic pleasantries and numbers from 1 to 10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `Fala ingles?`

Note: Do not speak in Spanish to a Portuguese person, thinking they will understand you when you do so. Responses will range from stunned silence to outright hostility; the Portuguese people are proud of their culture and heritage, and such an act will cause nearly everyone to take personal offense. On another note, the vocabulary and pronunciation in Portuguese differs from Spanish more than you may realize.

What are the drinking laws in Portugal?

The legal drinking age in Portugal is 18, whether you find yourself in a pub or a nightclub. Asking for proof of age upon ordering an alcoholic beverage or entering a nightclub is becoming more commonplace, especially if you appear younger. Keep your passport with you as it doubles as proof of age and identification.

If you are renting a car, do not drive after consuming alcohol. A blood alcohol content level of 0.05 is considered the legal limit; penalties can range from fines to a jail sentence of up to one year. Save yourself the potential trouble and heartache.

What is nightlife like in Vilamoura?

The Vilamoura Marina complex buzzes with entertainment for all age groups. There are more mellow bars for easygoing travelers and more lively bars (usually featuring live music) for those seeking a late night out. The Marina is home to two nightclubs, and Casino Vilamoura operates a disco during the summer months. Away from the Marina, Kadoc is the largest nightclub in the Algarve, with a capacity of 7,000 partygoers. It is located about a half-mile south of Boliqueime train station.

In addition to the establishments and areas already mentioned, nearly every resort has an in-house bar or lounge.

I want to play golf while vacationing in Vilamoura. What are the local golf courses like?

There are thirteen golf courses located between Albufeira and Faro, with six located in the Vilamoura area: Laguna, Millennium, Old Course, Pinhal, Victoria, and Vila Sol. Old Course and Victoria are higher-priced; a round of 18 holes will set you back €120-140, not including green`s fees. The other four golf courses are more affordable, with 18 holes priced between €70 and €80 (also not including green`s fees).