Visiting Vila Real de Santo António in summer 2024
Where to stay
Grand House (00 351 281 530 290) stands on the river front and offers old world elegance throughout its 31 rooms. €421 (£355) including breakfast.
Pousada Vila Real de Santo António (00 351 281 249 120) offers a choice of swimming pools and a restaurant which spills onto the town’s main square. Doubles from €144 (£122) including breakfast. Casa Três still has availability at the end of August sleeping six with three double bedrooms and a swimming pool. From €3,700 (£3,125) for a week.
For more places to stay check out our guide to the best hotels in the Algarve.
What to eat
Live like a local and dine on Algarvian clams. The best, with garlic, olive oil and coriander are to be had at the Grand Beach Club with your feet in the sand.
For more places to eat check out our guide to the best restaurants in the Algarve.
Don’t miss
A visit to the neighbouring salt pans at Castro Marim. Recently restored by artisanal salt company Sal Marim, they now supply many of Portugal’s best restaurants. Their nicely packaged salts make the perfect souvenir to bring home, particularly if you opt for the piri-piri.
For more things to do check out our guide to the best attractions in the Algarve.
How to get there
BA and Easyjet fly from multiple UK airports to Faro, which is a 50-minute drive along the coast from Vila Real de Santo António.
For more advice on visiting the region check out our guide to the holidays in the Algarve.
Five other secret spots in Portugal
1. Cacelha Velha, Algarve
Here the streets are named after poets, you can eat oysters in the shadow of the church tower, and enjoy the sunset on the beautiful beach.
2. Portinho da Arrábida, Lisbon Coast
Set in a Natural Park, this cove is one of the loveliest in Portugal. Lunch at O Farol (farolarrabida.pt) on the freshly grilled fish.
3. Marvão, Alentejo
Perched on a granite mountain, with magnificent views, this little medieval town, with church and castle, is completely encircled by its 13th-century walls.
4. Lindoso, Minho
This tiny stone hamlet in Portugal’s only National Park, is the best place to see the intriguing tomb-like architecture of granite espigueiros (granaries).