Sao Joao Holidays

Sao Joao is a lively district in Albufeira, a bustling town along Portugal’s Algarve coast. It’s where you’ll find the famous strip – a neon-lit street that’s packed with bars, shops, restaurants and nightclubs. The sandy beach lays on plenty of relaxing down time, and you’re just a short drive from Albufeira’s charming old town with its traditional eating places and pottery souvenirs.

Sao Joao’s beach gives you a 1-kilometre stretch of golden sand backed by rugged cliffs – and while it’s popular, the beach is spacious enough that you can always find your own corner. When the tide is out around noon, it’s possible to walk a couple of kilometres across the sand to the gently shelving shoreline at Praia dos Olhos d’Agua. Along the way there are little sandy coves where it’s just you and the sea.

A 20-minute drive takes to the town of Vilamoura. Here, there are 1st-century Roman ruins and you can tour the well-preserved bathing complex and see the ornate mosaics that still line the walls. Or half-an-hour gets you to Silves, which comes with a well-preserved Moorish castle – a climb to the highest tower rewards you with views across the rolling Algarve hills. And about the same distance away is Loule, where there’s a popular daily market housed in an Arabian-style market hall.