Dining & Lifestyle

Seafood

Beach restaurants in Olhos de Água

📍 Olhos de Água, about a 20-minute walk

This small fishing village right on the sea is known for its beach restaurants serving fresh fish and seafood — many with views over the Atlantic. Perfect for a relaxed evening after a day at the beach.

Portuguese cuisine

Taverns in Albufeira's old town

📍 Albufeira old town, about a 10-minute drive

The narrow lanes of the old town are home to traditional tascas serving simple, honest Portuguese food — grilled sardines, cataplana and homemade desserts, often at fair prices.

Family-friendly

Grill restaurants along the coast

📍 Santa Eulália & surroundings

Between Olhos de Água and Santa Eulália you'll find numerous family-friendly restaurants with grilled meat and fish, generous portions and a relaxed atmosphere — popular with locals and visitors alike.

Our recommendations change from time to time — we're happy to share current, personal tips for the season when you arrive.

Self-Catering Like a Local

The villa has a fully equipped kitchen — and everything you need for your own Algarve menu is close by. Two municipal markets are particularly worth a visit for fresh fish straight off the boat and meat from the local butcher.

Mercado Municipal de Olhos de Água

This small market right in the village offers daily fresh fish (including sardines and sea bass), its own butcher, a bakery, and fruit and vegetable stalls. Open from morning until early afternoon — arrive early for the best selection.

Mercado Municipal das Areias de São João

Our personal favourite for fish and meat: the market on Estrada de Santa Eulália has an outstanding fishmonger and an excellent butcher — this is where we shop ourselves. Plus eight fruit and vegetable stalls. Open Mon–Sat 8am–2pm; on the 4th Saturday of each month a flea market takes place in the car park.

Mercado Municipal dos Caliços

The somewhat larger market hall in Albufeira's old town with a fish section, butcher, bakery and a small café. Known for squid, octopus and an authentic, local market atmosphere.

Tip: both markets are usually closed on Sundays — Saturday morning is your best bet.

Family winery

Quinta do Canhoto

📍 approx. 10 min drive · Albufeira

A fifth-generation family estate on the northern edge of Albufeira. Across 22 hectares with views down to the sea, the award-winning Esquerdino wines are made in a bioclimatic winery that won an Algarve architecture award in 2022. Vineyard and cellar tour with a tasting of three wines and a regional cheese and charcuterie board (€30 p. p., from 2 people, Mon–Fri). Walk-in visitors are welcome too — a rarity in the Algarve. Occasional Fado evenings in the vineyard.

quintadocanhoto.com →

The Winery of the Singer

Adega do Cantor

📍 approx. 15 min drive · Guia

Founded by Sir Cliff Richard — the name means "Winery of the Singer". Now under new ownership, it still produces the well-known Vida Nova and Onda Nova wines. The one-hour tour of the vineyards and cellar ends with a tasting of four wines; the cellar shop sells the full range at direct prices. Advance booking required (Mon–Fri), times vary by season.

winesvidanova.com →

For wine lovers: trips worth taking

Quinta da Tôr approx. 30 min · Loulé

Award-winning winery in the hinterland (Portugal's best red wine 2023). In summer, tastings by the infinity pool overlooking the vines. quintadator.com

Adega do Convento do Paraíso approx. 35 min · Silves

A winery set in a former 15th-century convent. Picnic tastings in the middle of the vineyard, under a centuries-old olive tree with views of Silves. Mon–Fri by arrangement. conventodoparaiso.com

Quinta dos Sentidos approx. 35 min · Silves

Boutique winery producing olive oil, honey and Portugal's only Verjus. Tours and tastings by appointment. qds.pt

Get Hands-On

For those who want to understand the Algarve, not just taste it: these experiences work well as half-day or day trips from the villa.

The Kitchen by Eat at a Local's approx. 50 min · Lagos

Pastéis de Nata baking class in Lagos' old town, plus cataplana and ceviche courses and wine tastings. Run by Joana, a local with infectious enthusiasm.

Fig & Almond Workshop approx. 30 min · Loulé

A sweets workshop built around the trilogy of fig, almond and carob at the historic Palácio Gama Lobo — part of the Loulé Criativo crafts programme.

Phoenix Medronho approx. 60 min · near Aljezur

Artisan Medronho distillery producing only around 300 bottles a year. Tasting with an insight into the distillation process (€20 p. p., Mon–Sat afternoons, booking required) — a rewarding day trip to the west coast.

Alma Luz Distillery Lagos

Twice named Portugal's best gin, made with Algarve botanicals such as citrus and rosemary. Available at Apolónia in Galé, among others — or as a bookable cocktail service for private events.

The Algarve on Your Plate

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Fish & Seafood

Sardines, sea bass, squid and the famous cataplana — a stew of fish, seafood and vegetables that defines the Algarve's coastal cuisine.

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Citrus & Almonds

Orange groves shape the Algarve's inland landscape. Almonds, figs and carob appear in many traditional sweets such as Dom Rodrigo or Morgado de Figo.

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Wine & Medronho

The Algarve produces its own wines, often underrated compared to northern Portugal. Also try Medronho — the traditional spirit distilled from strawberry tree fruit.