Things To Do in Praia do Vau

In keeping with its low-key character, Praia do Vau has only a small selection of restaurants. When you want to ring the changes, the fishing village of Alvor – about 10 minutes’ drive away – has a great line-up of eating places along the river near the lifeboat station. They make the most of the cockles and oysters that come straight from the estuary. Try cataplana, which mixes freshly-netted clams with sausage, tomatoes, chilli and garlic.

Praia do Vau prides itself on its quiet nights – just a leisurely dinner does it here. Neighbour Alvor picks up the tempo, though, with plenty of bars that put on karaoke, quizzes and live acts. And there’s no rush to drink up – in summer, the bars close when the last customer wants to leave, usually at around 2am.

At Portimao, the humble sardine is celebrated in style. Along the waterfront you’ll find stalls selling the fish charcoal-grilled and fried, seasoned with coarse salt and served up with brown bread. They’re best washed down with a glass of the local red. And in the evening, you’ve got live hip-hop and Brazilian samba to keep the party going.

The hilltop castle at Silves is worth a 15-minute drive inland. You can catch a glimpse of the Algarve’s Moorish history in its arches and turrets, and take in some far-reaching views from the battlements at the same time. You can also poke your head around the Gothic cathedral nearby. In the cobbled streets, you’ll find plenty of cafés – perfect for a pause after a walk along the river.

The beach at Praia do Vau is really all about rest and relaxation. If you’re itching to be on the move, though, neighbouring Praia da Rocha comes with a raft of watersports like paragliding, diving and deep-sea fishing. A couple of centres here will help get you started.

You can count the number of restaurants in Praia do Vau on one hand. If you want more choice, you can take a bus to Alvor, about 10 minutes away. The resort has plenty of eating places in town, but the best spot is by the river where you can tuck into cockles, clams and oysters freshly netted from the estuary.

With its super-soft sand and clear, shallow waters, the beach at Praia do Vau couldn’t be better for lazy days in the sun. But if you feel like trying your hand at some paragliding, diving or deep-sea fishing, head over to Praia da Rocha. It’s got teaching centres so if you’re a beginner you’ll be in professional hands for your first dive, glide or fishing trip.

This beach club, over in Praia da Rocha, combines a pool bar with on-beach beds and lounge chairs overlooking the water. Hanging shades, old sea chests and strings of lights looped around palm trees make for a desert-island feel. There’s sushi to go with the smoothies and cocktails, and the music’s laid-back ’til dusk, when the DJs arrive for the regular sunset parties.

Shopping isn’t really on the agenda in Praia do Vau. Most people head for Portimao, about 10 minutes’ drive east, where there’s a full range of shops and retail parks. The smaller places are best for local pottery and leatherware, but if you’re hankering for H&M and Primark, then the Aqua Portimao shopping centre is the place to go. Portimao’s one-way streets get pretty congested, so use the free car park on the riverfront.

Praia do Vau prides itself on its quiet nightlife, though it’s well placed if you want more of a buzz. At Praia da Rocha, the main avenue, Tomás Cabreira, has a lively British vibe with bars and clubs. Alvor, too, has its fair share of Irish pubs and karaoke places but you’ll also find chilled-out cocktail bars and hidden places where the locals relax with a cold Super Bock beer.