Mietwagen buchen in Quarteira, Portugal

Quarteira is a city located 26 kilometers from Faro International Airport in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. Traditionally, a small fishing village it has seen huge popularity as a coastal resort and is now one of the main tourist areas of the Algarve.

Visitors to Quarteira are attracted by its great climate, close proximity to golf courses, the splendid seafront promenade alongside the sandy beach, historical monuments and a chic marina at nearby Vilamoura.

What to see

The long sandy beach is a major attraction for visitors to Quarteira who stroll along the palm-lined Avenida Infante de Sagres (known as the Marginal), or have lunch at one of the many beachside restaurants that specialize in fresh seafood.

Head to the Praia do Forte Novo, a beach situated at the eastern end of the Marginal promenade. This is where the old fortress Forte da Armação was located before coastal erosion submerged the ruins.

For a walk back through the ages, head to the ruins at Cerro da Vila with excavations of Roman baths, granaries and mosaics. The on-site museum details the most important artefacts and excavations that show the influence of Romans in the Algarve region.

What to do

Wednesday is market day in Quarteira. Follow the crowds to the fish market, or brush up on your bargaining skills for a trip to the gypsy market at Fonte Santa, east of Quarteira on the Almancil road. The gypsy market is a lively place where sellers will tempt you with embroidered cotton, jewellery, handbags and clothing.

Pick a fishing tour boat at Vilamoura Marina and head for some top spots to try your luck landing the catch of the day.

Fun seekers can splash until their heart’s content at Aquashow Park, a large water park complex complete with wave pools, water slides, Lazy River rides and a water rollercoaster. There’s a hotel, restaurants and kiosks but we recommend taking a picnic and spending the whole day there.

Golf enthusiasts will be pleased to know they can play on a different course every day without driving too far. Practise your swing at one of 16 golf courses within 20 minutes’ drive from Quarteira.

Nearby things to see and do

The town of Guia can be reached within 20 minutes from Quarteira. Attractions include Algarve Shopping (a large shopping and cinema complex), the famous chicken piri-piri restaurants and Zoomarine Algarve, an excellent family attraction. Swim with dolphins, watch a seal show or dip in the swimming pools when the temperatures warm up. We recommend pre-booking tickets before arrival to save on entry fees and arrive early as the complex is popular in summer.

Castelo de Loulé (Loulé Castle) is found in the town of Loulé, located almost 13 kilometers from Quarteira. Built in the 2^nd century, this small medieval castle has three towers and a few displays of weapons and crockery. Loulé is also a nice detour for a nature walk through the forest at Fonte da Bénemola where you can follow the trail amongst wild orchids and oak trees. In summer, you may be fortunate to see the town festivities of Noite Branca (White Night) where townspeople and tourists dress in white and swarm the town squares for music, parades and dancing.