Sao Rafael Holidays

from € 659 pp

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Holidays to Sao Rafael bring you to a tranquil resort within breathing distance of one of Portugal's finest Blue Flag beaches. This is a small Algarve village built in traditional style, with whitewashed villas and red terracotta tiled roofs, It's very low-key, with a few restaurants, some beachfront bars and a supermarket. You can fly to the Algarve direct from Dublin or Cork.

The attraction of the Algarve

The Algarve has a chequered history, due to its strategic position near the tip of Portugal. Fishing and rural life were the norm until the aviation era, when tourists discovered its natural beauty. Sao Rafael beach is surrounded by attractive limestone cliffs which provide shelter from the weather and offer calm, shallow waters for swimming.

Take it easy

Sao Rafael is a cluster of village streets that gradually blend into those of its western neighbour at Gale. It's a good place to leave the world and your car behind, and reap the benefits of fresh sea air. You'll find a good selection of restaurants in this area, all within walking distance. Further out of the village, you can try out top-class golf courses and tennis.

Glitz it up

It's only 10 minutes by taxi to Albufeira, with its historic old town and glitzy new marina. There are lots of little shops nearby, or you can just soak up the view in one of the marina bars. If you're looking for trendy nightlife, you can find plenty of pubs and late-opening nightclubs here.