Things to do in and around Armação de Péra

Armação de Péra has plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. It is a popular place for holidays all year round, even for the Portuguese.

Activities in and around the area include walking, golf, tennis, fishing, shopping at Algarve Shopping centre in Guia, horse-riding, snorkelling & diving, sailing, surfing - board, wind and kite, jet-skiing and just relaxing on one of the many golden sandy beaches.

The Algarve is famous for its wonderful golden sandy beaches and Armação de Péra has one of the longest in the Algarve with over three kilometres of long sandy beach and small rocky coves.

Nearby Praia Grande is a very special place, this long sandy beach is a conservation area and is renowned for its sand dunes that become a carpet of colour in spring with over a 100 species of wild plants.

With Armação de Péra being so central it is an ideal base for golf enthusiasts. Most of the famous courses both East and West are within a 30 minute drive allowing for a superb variety of year-round golfing. Salgados, Silves and Gramacho are about a 10-15 minute drive.

Salgados is located in the middle of a lovely nature reserve, so it has plenty of natural lagoon water hazards to negotiate. A bird sanctuary is located two kilometres away next to Salgados golf course.

Carvoeiro (2 courses) and Penina (3) are 15-25 minutes' drive West and the 11 international courses at Vilamoura, Quinta do Lago, and Vale de Lobo are about 30 minutes' drive East.

The new luxury Amendoeira golf resort with it's two championship courses designed by Nick Faldo and Christie O'Connor was opened in 2008 and is between 5-10 minutes from Armação de Péra.

Activities in an around Armação de Péra

Krazy World Zoo

At Algoz: A family day out with plenty to do. It's a small zoo,there are professional instructors who will demonstrate just what some of these exotic creatures can do. It also has Krazy golf, a playground area, animal petting farm, pony rides for the younger ones and a pool to relax by. Krazy World has something for everyone. There is even a bar and a restaurant too.

Opening hours are 10.00h to 19.30h during July and August, open daily. The rest of the year: 10.00h to 18.00h.

Telephone: +351 282 574 134

Website: Krazy World Zoo

Aqualand Algarve

(The Big One) is located in the central area of the Algarve, near the town of Alcantarilha (Armação de Péra), 15 Km from Albufeira.

The park has water attractions for all tastes, some totally unique in the country, such as the Banzai, which give moments of joy, fun, adventure and relaxation.

Entrance (Full Day): Adult: €17,50: Child (4 to 10 years): €14,50

Open from May to September 10.00h to 18.00h

More information at www.Aqualand.pt.

Sir Cliff Richards Winery: "Adega do Cantor"

Experience an exclusive tour of the vineyards and winery at Quinta do Miradouro and enjoy a tasting of Sir Cliff Richard's Vida Nova, which is vinified, matured and bottled on the estate.

Contact details :

Tel: +351 968 776 971

Email: visits@winesvidanova.com

Website: www.winesvidanova.com

Golf:

Salgados, Vale de Milho', 'Pine Cliffs' and 'Balaia' are the nearest courses.

See our Golf page.

Wine tasting tours

Adega Cooperativa de Lagoa 09:00h – 12:00h and 14:00h – 18:00h.

Contact details : E.N. 125, Lagoa 8400-901.

Tel. +351 282 342 181 Fax +351 282 342 369

Cinema:

Cinemas at Algarve shopping, open 12.30h to 22.30h and in the summer 12.30h to 01.00h Tel: +351 289 560 350

Almancil Karting

A leisure and competition karting complex. The circuit is a replica of the Jacarepagua Formula 1 circuit in Brazil.

Tel: +351 289 399 899

A selection of trips you can book on-line.

Most of the attractions below can also be booked locally in Armação de Péra many at discounted rates.

Zoomarine Algarve

Learn about the lives of marine animals at Zoomarine on the Algarve coast. With animal shows, a 4-D movie on the environment, "Oceanus" aquarium and a rehabilitation centre for sick and injured marine wildlife, Zoomarine offers a great mixture of entertainment and education for the whole family. 

More information at Zoomarine Algarve

Slide and Splash Water Park

The perfect escape from the summer heat on the Algarve is Slide and Splash Water Park at Lagoa. Home of numerous slides, pools and river tube rides, the whole family will find an adventure to keep them cool on a sunny day in Portugal. Slide and Splash at is seasonal and opens from April to October only.

More information at Slide and Splash

Historical Algarve

Start your day in Silves with a to visit the Castle and Cathedral. In Lagos, see the Golden Chapel of St. Anthony, the slave market and the statue of Prince Henry the Navigator. Before the end of the day you will also visit the fishing village of Sagres and Cape St Vincent.

More Information at Historical Algarve: Silves, Monchique, Lagos, Sagres.

Lagos and Sagres Tour

Lagos is a town with endless stories of the Portuguese Discoveries. Learn about the slave market and take a guided visit of the Antonine Museum. Explore the fishing village of Sagres, home to the most southerly community in Portugal.

More Information at Sightseeing Tour.

Unspoilt Algarve

Your first stop on the Full Day Tour of Unspoilt Algarve is the bone chapel at Nossa Senhora do Carmo. Drive to Olhao for a boat cruise on the Ria Formosa, before continuing to Santa Luzia and Tavira in the afternoon.

More Information at Unspoilt Algarve

Shopping Tour to Loule Market

Discover the flavours and colours of Portugal with a half day shopping trip to the Loule Markets. Join the hustle and bustle as the locals come together to sell their wares. You'll be amazed at the variety of fish, succulent fruits and fresh vegetables, as well as being fascinated as the craftsmen demonstrate their skills.

More Information at Loule Market

Shopping Tour to Quarteira Market

Experience the hustle and bustle of a gypsy market as you wander through Quarteira Market, rummaging amongst the vast variety of crafts on offer. Your guide is in the know and may be able to slip you some handy bargaining tips for your half day shopping tour.

More Information at Quarteira Market

Leaozinho Pirate Ship Cruise

Come aboard the pirate ship "Leaozinho" (little lion) as sail among the most beautiful areas of the Algarve coastline. See enchanting rock formations, magnificent white sandy beaches and discover your adventurous spirit onboard a historic ship.  The cruise is seasonal and operates from April to October only.

More Information at Leaozinho Pirate Ship Cruise

Caves and Dolphin Watching Cruise

Jump aboard Albufeira's original caves and dolphin watching cruise onboard "Insonia". Set sail from Albufeira marina and sail along the Algarve coast, all the while keeping your eyes on the lookout for the local population of dolphins. This cruise is seasonal and operates from April to October only. 

More Information at Dolphin Watching Cruise

Private Spanish Tapas

Visit Tapas restaurants at Ayamonte, across the border in Spain. With its colourful decoration, the restaurant serves a great variety of Tapas. Don't forget to leave some space for the delicious desserts! You may want to accompany your Tapas with a manzanilla sherry or an amontillado.

More Information at Private Spanish Tapas

Day trips near Faro

The Algarve offers an excellent and varied programme of entertainment for every member of the family ranging from big game fishing to go karting to aqua parks to safaris - the list goes on and on.

To obtain further details on the various attractions listed below just click on the link.

Aquabus

A submarine with a glass hull will transport you through grottos and amazing underwater worlds.

Trips depart from the marina at Lagos which is along the coast to the west of Faro.

Telephone: +351 282 766 794

Website: Aquabus

Aquashow Park Hotel

Spectacular and scary water rides set in subtropical gardens make this a great day out for all the family.

Take your swimming gear with you. There is a variety show during the high season and a pick up service is available.

Freephone 0800 204 767

Website: Aquashow Park Hotel

Go Karting

At nearby Almancil you can try the 760 metre replica Brazilian Formula 1 track, Jacarapegua.

If speed is not your thing then the track is surrounded by a Western theme park with bumper boats, bucking bronco and bungee trampolining amongst the attractions.

Telephone: +351 289 399 899

Website: Go Karting

Lagos Zoo

An opportunity to see over 250 different species of animals in their natural habitat, as well as an educational farm.

There are also various amusement park activities to keep everyone occupied.

Telephone: +351 282 680 100

Website: Lagos Zoo

Bom Dia

Operating out of Lagos Marina you can go on a trip around the caves for 2 hours or take a 5 hour cruise.

The trip includes a barbecue, around the Bay of Lagos.

Telephone: +351 282 764 670

Website: Bom Dia

Zebra Jeep Safari

Zebra Jeep Safari's has daily tours throughout the different areas of the Algarve, each one with its own character and beauty. The participants of these tours come from all over the world, to enjoy the nature and landscape of the countryside.

Fantastic opportunity to take some stunning photographs with safaris to small inland villages passing through amazing scenery and landscapes.

The 4x4 tours are explained in 5 possible languages by the driver who is also your own private tour guide. With all jeeps in convoy formation, the route chosen will offer visits to monuments, sights of unequal beauty etc..

Phone: +351-289 583 300

Website: Zebra Jeep Safari

Scuba Diving in and around Armação de Péra.

Dive Spot

Dive Spot was born on 1997, it strategically positions itself in the centre of the Algarve, in the famous bay of Armação de Péra. Its purpose from the beginning as always been to provide to its clients the best counselling and technical assistance.

Contact details :

Telephone: +351 282 314 825

Address: Rua da Fortaleza, 33 D, 8365-108 Armação de Péra.

GPS: 37 06.040N 08 21.310W

E-mail: info@divespot.com.pt

Website: http://www.divespot.com

Delphinus Divers

Escape to a different world. Scuba takes you to a different world with new colours, shapes, textures and creatures – a world where the roles you play – husband, wife, mother, father, friend – take on a new dimension. Become a scuba diver and escape to a peaceful place to renew your energy and excite your senses.

Contact details:

Telephone: +351 196 643 1617

E-mail: admin@delphinusdivers.eu

Website: http://www.delphinusdivers.eu

Scubatour

Scuba Tour, an Algarve based diving school, has great conditions all year round for some superb scuba diving. Between the warm waters of the Med. and the diverse sea life of the Atlantic, the Algarve and Scuba Tour can guide you to the best locations, teach you the basic diving skills of scuba diving or push you existing skills in the Advanced courses.

Contact details:

Telephone: +351 937 500 177

Address: Holiday Park, Vila Senhora da Rocha, near Armação de Péra.

E-mail: scubatour@hotmail.com

Website: http://www.scubatour.org