Quarteira is a Portuguese coastal town in the municipality of Loulé, a 20-minute drive from Faro Airport. It is a popular seaside resort for tourists and locals alike. Quarteira is a former fishing village, but now focuses mainly on tourism. You can relax on a terrace on the long boulevard, while looking out over a beautiful sandy beach with thatched umbrellas.
Quarteira dates back to Roman times, with fishing as main source of income for ages. In the 1970’s the first hotels and apartments were built, and tourism took off. Especially the long sandy beach and the central location appeal to tourists.
A wonderful day at the beach
Although the main source of income today is tourism, fish is still caught daily. In the morning there is a daily market, which also sells fresh fish. When it gets warmer you can take a seat on one of the terraces and enjoy a Portuguese lunch.
After lunch, hit the beach! Quarteira Beach has a blue flag, which means that it is a clean beach, with a lifeguard on duty in the summer. The beach is not only a place to relax, but there are also activities. For example, you can rent a jet ski, explore the coast with a kayak, take a water ski lesson, or stand up paddling. Are you looking for more luxury? It is possible to rent one of the sloops and go by yourself. In the evening you have a wide choice of restaurants on the boulevard or in the harbor.
Loulé
If you want to get away from the beach for a day, a visit to Loulé is a good option. Loulé was originally a Moorish fortified town, but recaptured in 1249. An important attraction is the old market hall, built in 1908. Here you will find stalls with cheeses, sausages, vegetables, fruit and of course fish. In addition, you can also buy various wicker baskets and handicraft products here. On Saturdays, the market expands further out and a gypsy market is also held in the summer months. Next to the market hall you will find a nice shopping street in the village and you can visit the castle of Loulé.
Golf around Quarteira
There are several golf courses around Quarteira, making it a popular place for golf enthusiasts. There are 7 high scoring courses including Victoria Golf Course, Millenium, Vila Sol and Pinhal. Quarteira is also the perfect place to improve your handicap, with several pros speaking almost all languages.
Aquashow Park
The Aquashow Park is a real theme park where you can stay all day. It has several swimming pools, attractions and recently there is also an indoor section. In addition to the many slides and activities, there are also various shows to visit. For example, there is a reptile show, parrot show and bird of prey show. Visitors over the age of 13 are also welcome in the Spa, the place to relax. There are several swimming pools, jacuzzis, waterfalls, Turkish bath, sauna and massage rooms.
If you are looking for a wonderful beach holiday, Quartiera is the place for you!
