Algarve's Coast & Hills

I could not recommend the accommodation or the town of Odiaxere, although it is in a good central location for the coasts and hills walks. We enjoyed each of our four walks despite some dodgy weather. On sunny days it was t-shirt weather in March. Don't rely on the Inntravel maps which are pretty useless - google is essential. If you visit Faro, check out the restaurant Ato in the old town which was a highlight. We also loved the seaside town of Salema and its lovely beach.

This wasn't our best Inntravel holiday as the weather was very poor and we were both ill. Jill looked after us very well, providing Lemsips, honey and squeezed lemon. We only managed walk 1 which was quite busy even in March and walk 6 which was varied and had spectacular views of the west coast. The wild flowers were lovely. We can recommend a visit to Silves and the castle and we also enjoyed a visit to the fortress at Sagres. Unfortunately this wasn't the holiday we had hoped for but that was due to the weather and illness, neither in the control of Inntravel.

The accommodation and our hosts were definitely a highlight on this holiday. Our favourite walks were the Amoreira Circuit, the forest at Barao de Sao Joao and we also enjoyed a very peaceful walk by the local reservoir. 

We loved our visit to Monchique in the mountains and the walk we did there. We had mixed weather, quite a bit of rain but managed to get out every day. The area is beautiful, and quiet at this time of year, and we would definitely go back. We wanted to see the bird life in the area and visited A Rocha bird ringing centre at Alvor where we had an interesting morning. We would have preferred to be completely self catering as all the facilities are there and it would have meant we could eat when we wished. One of the meals we had was adequate but the second one turned out to be fish which we had told the host my husband had a severe allergy for. He ended up with an omelette. 

Staff were amazing when the plane was delayed 5 hours - sorted the car hire and hotel. First class service.

We only did three of the walks because for us the holiday was also about spending the other three days re-visiting previous holiday locations to reminisce. The three walks were number 1 - Benagil to Albandeira, number 4 - Barâo de Sâo Joâo option B, and number 5 - Monchique Valley. We particularly enjoyed 4 and 5, especially 4 which on a breezy but sunny day was particularly delightful. Another personal highlight was re-visiting Silves, and the castle in particular which has been made much more visitor friendly since our previous visit. We spent a leisurely couple of hours there and had a delicious light tapas lunch in the cafe on-site.

We ended up booking at short notice and Inntravel couldn't have been more helpful. They were fantastic. Everything went incredibly smoothly and we loved our accommodation. Our favourite walks were those on the Atlantic Coast (6 and 7). The size of the waves and the beaches were quite remarkable and the walking itself varied and interesting. 

Relaxing and enjoyable. October a good time to visit.

We had a wonderful holiday. Booking and organisation was very straightforward. Driving instructions were very good. Accommodation was gorgeous - the rooms, the surroundings, the swimming pool. We loved Jill and Julio and they were extremely helpful with suggestions for walks. Jill's picnics were amazing. We really enjoyed the group meals at the Quinta and the general chat and interactin with the other guests. The walks were all good.

Phone advice when booking was very helpful.

We are now looking to book our 2nd Inntravel holiday.

As an active couple in our 70s, we found the traditional accommodation, variety of routes (inclusing coastal and inland) plus accurate and detailed driving/walking notes added up to an all round excellent holiday.

Quinta das Achadas: This was a wonderful and relaxing holiday. Jill and Julio are genial hosts and the quinta is very well set up. We walked every day despite the Iberian heatwave in April. The coastal walks in particular are spectacular and retain the benefit of the sea breeze, which we missed on the inland walks. We had an excellent meal - freshly-grilled fish of our choice - at Restaurante Sitio do Forno on the Carrapateira walk, which we heartily recommend, but do 'phone ahead to reserve a table if you want to sit outdoors with a view.  If you like to get started with your walking early in the day before the heat builds, be warned that breakfast is set out around 09:00.

Faro Add-on: There is enough to justify two days here, despite it being a small city.  We particularly enjoyed a ferry trip (very smooth) out to the Ilha da Berreta (marketed as Ilha Deserta) where we explored the island on extensive boardwalks over the dunes and had an excellent meal at Estaminé restaurant. The restaurant has to be booked in advance and it's sensible to tie that in with the ferry times. We also enjoyed a short Fado concert in the Municipal Museum (Fri/Sat/Sun).

I think our favourite walks were definitely on the wilder west coast facing the Atlantic. The cliff top walks and beaches there were just fantastic and the geology amazing to look at. In retrospect, it might have been nice to have one or two more of these as options, so you could have a bit more to choose from. January was also a great time to be there - no crowds, quiet roads, blue skies and warm, sunny days. All in all, it was everything you'd want for a short winter's break from the UK - we only wish we could've stayed longer!

Wonderful, entertaining hosts, despite both having temporary health problems. A fabulous area. We might try to come again at time of bird migration as the estuary areas should be exceptional.

The holiday was above expectations. We really enjoyed it all. One of the hosts put us off doing the Figueira walk as she said that half of it was on a road, but as we did not do it, we can't really comment. 

We really enjoyed the coastal walking, the scenery is stunning!

The stay at the Quinta.

The 2 included dinners.

Inntravel were excellent in providing all the support up front for the holiday. Walking routes were well selected. Places of interest to visit were useful. There are however no decent restaurants in Odiaxere?? So eating out was a challenge.

The big table meals at Quinta das Achadas were a highlight. The food, mix of guests and the excellent manner of the hosts made it a very memorable holiday. 

Jill & Julio are lovely hosts and we enjoyed the communal atmosphere of the Quinta. Our favourite walks were walk 6 Praia de Amoreira, walk 3 Figueira, and walk 5 Monchique as these were in quieter areas. We drove up to the top of Foia for a picnic after the Monchique walk, with fantastic views. Also there is a quiet beach near Figueira. Follow the signs to Praia da Figueira left, as you enter the town. A narrow lane leads to a parking place on the right, then follow the track, which becomes a path, to the beach. We also visited the Barragem, a short drive away which is worth the trip. We visited the pizza & piri piri restaurants in Odiaxere, which are good value. Berlim, overlooking the beach at Meia Praia was very good. The owner might tell you all about his visit to Bournemouth if you are lucky. Also 2 Brothers, overlooking the Dom Henrique square in Lagos was a good fish restaurant.

April walking was lovely - wild flowers galore and quiet walks.  We picked the longer walk option each day and found them comfortable as we are regular walkers.  The highlight was the Monchique walk as we didn't meet a soul and the route was through beautiful hills, fields and valleys.

Gill at the Quinta was a great source of information for restuarants and local information.  The 2 meals at the Quinta were delicious and fun. The Quinta has beautiful gardens and a heated pool and hot tub.

If you have any interest in wild flowers go in the season. Wildlife is also a bonus!

Alvore estuary. The west coast, Amoreira estuary, Sagres and old town Lagos.

We felt relaxed at the Quinta and very much enjoyed relaxing our tired muscles in the hot tub. Jill and Julio were excellent hosts and nothing was too much trouble. There are two good restaurants in town for Pizza or Chicken Piri Piri - don't bother with O Caseiro it is over rated. Two best walks for us were the Monchique Valley Circuit followed by lunch on the terrace of restaurant O Luar da Foia and the longer route of Barao de Sao Joao, Nacional Parque de Merendas followed by lunch at Caramba. Weather was perfect for walking in early March and driving was easy. 

We had a wonderfully restorative week with Jill and Julio at Quinta das Achadas. A combination of hills, forests, cliffs and beaches made for easy, varied walking and the warm February sun and blue skies made a welcome change to a grey UK.