Places Nearby to Visit

Below are details of some of the places you may wish to take the opportunity of visiting whilst at Vila Senhora da Rocha. Please note that this is just a sample of the attractions and places of interest in the Algarve and that there are many more that have not been mentioned.

Vila Senhora da Rocha is situated close to Armação de Pêra, a bustling small town with many restaurants, cafes, a local indoor market, its own fishing fleet and fish market, and one of the longest beaches in the Algarve. It is approximately 25 minutes walk from Vila Senhora da Rocha (or take the regular mini bus). As well as the covered market, open every day except Sunday, Saturdays sees local growers set up their stalls with all their produce.

On the sea front is the Tourist Information Bureau from which you can obtain details about the area and its attractions. Why not take the train and see the town and seafront in style?

If you hire a car, then within easy reach of Vila Senhora da Rocha and to the East are:-

Zoomarine - an oceanographic theme park, including a dolphinarium.
Guia - where you will find one of the most famous piri-piri restaurants in the Algarve.
Algarve Shopping - This is similar to the outlet villages in the UK (but with even better prices!).
Krazy World - a theme park including reptiles, pets' corner, swimming pools, restaurant, fairground and more.
Albufeira - this is the centre for night life, also likened to Blackpool plus sun.
Vilamoura - a visit to the Marina is a must and maybe a boat trip along the coast. The Marina is surrounded by restaurants and shops and is an ideal spot for a coffee and sitting and watching the world go by.
Quarteira - the weekly regional market is held here and is an experience not to be missed.

To the West are:-

Aqua Land - one of the Algarve's noted water parks with large water slides.
Slide and Splash - another of the Algarve's fabulous water parks.
Silves - the former capital of the Algarve with its historic castle and its Cork Museum.
Monchique/Caldas de Monchique - Monchique is the highest town in the Algarve and views from here and Foia are extensive. You can see right along the coastline from Portimão to Lagos and beyond. Caldas de Monchique, which you pass through on the road from Silves to Monchique, is an attractive spa resort whose thermal waters are said to be effective in the treatment of skin diseases
Portimão - renowned for its quayside sardines, but is also a major shopping area. There are boat trips from here up river to Silves, which are both informative and relaxing.
Lagos - a beautiful town with its wide seafront promenade, the "Golden Church", the many restaurants and cafes, and its spectacular coastal rock formations.
Sagres - this was the home of Henry the Navigator, where Christopher Columbus learned his skills, and is the nearest town to Cape St Vincent, the most westerly point in Europe. The scenery here is rugged and the lighthouse possesses what is believed to be the strongest beam in Europe, able to be seen for some 59 miles.