Boliqueime Holidays

Boliqueime offers up a rural slice of the Algarve on Portugal’s southern coast. It’s right up in the hills, surrounded by pine trees and almond groves. The authentic village atmosphere comes complete with cobbled streets and a square where locals gather to play dominoes. As for beaches and nightlife, Albufeira’s within a 15-minute drive.

You’ve got some 25 beaches to choose from in Albufeira. Each one’s different, but all of them deal in fine golden sand and warm, clear waters. The bigger ones, like Praia dos Pescadores and Falesia, have watersports centres, beach bars and cafés. Or for a crowd-free zone, head to Inatel Beach, which come with a few pocket-sized caves to explore.

This part of the world is famous for its golf. Take a 15-minute drive and you'll reach Vilamoura, home to the Oceanico Victoria championship course. Designed by golf legend Arnold Palmer, it’s a major draw for international tournaments. This is also tennis territory, and you’ll find several clubs and academies offering top-class courts, along with private and group lessons.

Faro, the Algarve’s capital, is just a half-an-hour drive away. This lively town offers up pretty parks and gardens, a marina and an old town full of winding streets. You can also explore its museums, churches and Medieval quarter. Boliqueime is well placed for daytrips all round – you can get to Seville in two hours, and Lisbon in just under three.