Paradise Found: Stunning 3 Bedroom Apartment

This stunning, contemporary, 3 bedroom apartment is located close to the Guadiana river and the centre of Vila Real de Santo António. Set in an prime location for experiencing the local way of life and nature.

This holiday home features all the comodoties needed for a relaxed holiday experience and benefits from a large terrace with pool which is available Easter through to October. Close to long stretches of sandy beaches , the marina within walking distance where ferry boats cross the river frequently to Spain, cycling paths or hiking for nature lovers, evening walks along the beautiful promenade to the charming city centre where one enjoy the local history, cuisine, shops and bars, souvenir shopping, golf courses nearby, a sports facility near the apartment, a safari outing along the nature reserve, plenty of adventures and so much to discover. This property for you!

The apartment is beautifully decorated with modern furnishings. Features include air conditioning, wifi and a lovely, sunny balcony overlooking the pool from the living room and main bedroom. There is also a balcony from the kitchen and second bedroom. The condominium is gated, there is on-street parking and is within easy walking distance to local amenities and the city centre.
This apartment has plenty of natural light with 3 spacious bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a fully equipped kitchen The living/dining room has a large dining table, seating for 6 and a TV. There is a balcony to the fronnt of the living room and main bedroom overlooking the pool. There is also a balcony to the back off the kitchen and one of the twin bedrooms with a quiet street view.

Sunbeds and umbrellas are available on the pool terrace.

The spacious kitchen is fitted with a table and chairs, hob/oven, dishwasher, washing machine, fridge/freezer, microwave and all the essentials needed to cater for the entire family; one of the bathrooms has a bathtub and the other a shower; there is a double bedroom and 2 twins.
Guests are met at the apartment on arrival.

Guests are required to contact the host 1 hour before the pre-arranged check-in time or when leaving the airport.
The location is within walking distance to supermarkets (approx.400 mts to 'Continente' & 'Bom Dia'), pharmacies (approx. 600mts - Farmácia Carrilho), and several traditional or contemporary restaurants.

The main square is a 5 minute walk along the beautiful promenade and marina. The nearest beach is Praia de Santo António - this is an 8 minute bike ride from this holiday apartment and most of it (5 minutes) is through a beautiful pine forest. Monte Gordo is a 5 minute drive away or 15 minute bike ride along a secure bike path. Alternatively, if you fancy a day at the fasionable Praia Verde location, a 15 minute drive will take you there.

A tourist train will take you to the Praia de Santo António beach during the summer months and there is a lovely restaurant and beach club with DJ called Caramelo Beach Club there, open from June to September. Of course, driving to this beach is possible too, however it's a bit of a dirt track, but by car it's about 4 minutes. There are concession beach beds available, but it never feels crowded even in the summer months! From this beach you can walk for miles to Praia Verde which takes about an hour along the beach. Praia do Cabeço has a real beach club vibe as well. Monte Gordo is a 30 minute walk along the beach. So much to do and see for adventure seekers and nature lovers.

Other than the beach, you can take a 10 minute drive to the historical village of Castro Marim or take a trip to Ayamonte on the Spanish border just across the Guadiana river for tapas. Its a quick ferry boat trip across which allows you to experience both the Portuguese and Spanish culture, just in one holiday. You can also enjoy world class golfing on Monte Rei golf resort, a 25 minute drive or take advantage of the excellent cycling opportunities in the region, one of the most popular activities in the area.

There is a nature reserve called the Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo António. There is a new cycle track beside the nature reserve on the road to Castro Marim and you can often see Storks and Flamingos there. The cycle to Castro Marim is approximately 20 minutes. There are fabulous safari tours through the nature reserve on open top jeeps. There are also natural salt pans in this area and outdoor, mineral-rich water spa where visitors can bathe in salt and clay, excellent for the skin!
This is a whole other Algarve, an unspoilt one far away from the hustle and bustle of tourist centreswhere the only sound you hear is the birds. Plenty of nature, local culture, excellent beaches and good food.

30 minutes from Faro Airport and 1.5 hours from Seville Airport.
Walking, biking, tourist train to the beach, ferry boat across the river to Spain or up the river to other historical places well worth a visit.
This area is fantastic for cycling. Get a taxi to Monte Gordo– the bike rental shop Tur Fortes is opposite the Vasco da Gama hotel. Bring ID to secure the bikes. Nice ice cream shop on the corner beside the bike rental. Bike rental is about €7 per day. Get one with the baskets as you can put your beach bag in the basket / shopping etc. All bike come with locks
The swimming pool is closed during the low season and reopens on Easter through to October.

Eating Out:
Monte Gordo: has some nice restaurants and little shops, nice costume jewellery shop called Origins etc. Plenty of buzz in the summer. A lovely Italian La Terrazza. All along the beach boardwalk there are loads of restaurants and bars directly overlooking the beach. Very good value as ever on this side of the Algarve! MarSalgado bar is also fabulous during the daytime for cocktails and bar food, brill lounge vibe upstairs and it’s child friendly too.

Villa Real (Square): At night time, Villa Real is really nice for food, drink, watching the world go by etc. Come out of the apartment block and turn left or much nicer is to head onto the river front and turn left then. The walk is really nice along the riverside, passing all the fishermen and watching boats go up and down the river. There is a lovely restaurant on the sea front side which looks out onto the water which is the nearest restaurant to the apartment, it’s called ANG Associao Naval do Guadiana. There are lots of other restaurants along this road and in and around the square. Also a few door’s up Great Cataplana in Restaurant OS ARCOS. Monkfish Cataplana…delicious. Lovely traditional Portuguese restaurants like Restaurante Pisa II, real family vibe and they have yummy kids food too.

At peak season during the weekends there are stalls on the square, fussball etc which is nice. Take a left turn when you walk down the main strip and this will lead you into the main square where you will see all the bars for a few drinks. Cafe Latte is a nice bar and has pub food. Café Svitlana is very good value with lovely coffee and light bites – our favourite.

Praia Verde: This beach resort is a few kms beyond Monte Gordo. This has a high-end, fancy resort vibe. Infante Panoramico is a lovely restaurant with panoramic views. Also the 5-star Praia Verde Boutique Hotel is a nice treat. Pezinhos de Areia (footprints in the sand) is a lovely bar and restaurant with booths for drinks outside.

VRSA beach is just a 10 minute cycle away, there is also a little tourist train that leaves to go there – it leaves from opposite the Continente supermarket. There is a nice bar called Caramelo Beach Club on the beach for drinks and snacks. You can rent sun loungers etc there but usually we just bring our umbrella ourselves with the twisty thing to put into the sand.

Monte Gordo beach is more buzzy and the entrance is beside the Vasco Da Gama hotel. Park your bikes outside and lock them and walk the boardwalk out to the beach. You can hire beach canopies, chair loungers etc. There are also eateries on the beach that do great seafood etc. A fabulous new boardwalk open since 2017 with all new beach restaurants. Boardwalk extends to over 7kms. Fabulous sunsets.

Spain: If you fancy going over to Spain for the day, walk or take bikes and come out of the apartment, go straight ahead onto the riverside and go left. About a kilometre up you will arrive at the port and see the sign for boats over to Spain. Pay your ticket and you can take bikes on the boat over to Spain. Try to go early as a lot of shops etc in Spain close from 2-5. Really nice little streets and cafes etc; very chilled out! Lucas tapas bar is delicious. The square is nice. If you feel energetic, cycle all the way to Isla Canela, the beach on the Spanish side of the river. It’s about a 30 minute cycle (with the children) and when you arrive take a fabulous swim and then have lunch at one of the many beachside restaurants or have a relaxing drink at the beach side bar –El Paradise beach club – hammocks etc.

Food Shop:
Come out of apartment out onto seafront, turn right and right again at roundabout and take right at the tennis courts, keep going until you see the big sign for Lidl.

A nearer place is Continente - out of apartment block, turn right and walk about 3 minutes. Smaller than Lidl but excellent selection and prices, fresh bread and cakes every day. Bakery is a 1-minute walk from apartment – turn right and right again and it’s on the left – fresh bread rolls. Opposite that is a takeaway – chicken piri piri, chips etc. Very popular with the locals which is always a good sign!

Activities:
Cycling or jogging – head out onto the river and go right and right again and head straight for Monte Gordo town. Run or cycle straight, all the way to the Casino and turn back. It’s 9km with a safe track – path and cycle lane. Also there is a 50m Olympic pool around the corner and tennis and padel courts (to use, head to reception to pay the rental cost of the courts or pool use which is usually paid by the hour).

The High Ropes climbing park called Parque Aventura VRSA, ideal for kids, 3 levels of difficulty. Lovely atmosphere and shaded by the trees!

Lots of great golfing options in the area which you can check to book on ********
-Monte Del Rei Golf and Country club (designed by Jack Nicklaus) is #1 in Portugal and #2 in Continental Europe. 20 minute drive / 16km away
-Benamor Golf – 25 minute drive / 19km away
-Castro Marim Golf and Country Club – 15 min drive / 10km away
-Quinta da Cima Golf Club – 20 min drive / 14km away
-Quinta da Ria Golf – 23 min drive / 16km away
-Quinta Do Vale – 14 min drive / 9km away