Located just 25 minutes from Algarve’s international airport in Faro, Quinta do Lago was built around a lake between the 1970s and 1990s to become one of Europe’s finest resort towns. That mission was accomplished, with opulent villas owned by the rich and famous, some of Portugal’s best hotels, and the continent’s largest golf area (with three world-class 18-hole courses. Its pine-covered beachfront and sandy beach are public but feel exclusive and are a favourite retreat of international celebrities and heads of state.

It’s part of the so-called “golden triangle,” the trio of luxury resort towns to the west of Faro (the others are Vale do Lobo and Vilamoura) and one of the most expensive areas in the country. Although the most popular activity is golf, it’s also possible to play tennis, enjoy water sports and walk around part of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Here you can follow a trail called São Lourenço, which takes you past salt marshes and lagoons

Quinta do Lago’s beach is quite long, stretching for about 3.5 kilometres . The world’s golfing elite place Quinta do Lago among their favourite destinations. Publications such as Golf Digest and Golf World have awarded it titles like “Europe’s best golf destination” and ranked its golf courses among Europe’s top 100.

The world’s golfing elite place Quinta do Lago among their favourite destinations. Publications such as Golf Digest and Golf World have awarded it titles like “Europe’s best golf destination” and ranked its golf courses among Europe’s top 100.