Two Algarves: the coast and the hills

Say "Algarve" and most people picture one thing: cliffs, beach clubs, a round of golf before lunch. That version is real, and it's easy to book. What's less known is that twenty minutes inland, the same region turns into something much quieter: olive groves, whitewashed villages, a pool with nobody around but you. Both are worth planning for. They're just different trips.

The coast: Villa Golf, Portimão

Villa Golf does exactly what it says: a private pool villa three kilometres from Alvor beach, with a golf course 150 metres from the door. Sleeps six, air-conditioned, with parking for two cars, built for a group that wants the beach in the morning and a tee time in the afternoon, without moving hotels to do it. Portimão's restaurants and the marina are a short drive either way.

The hills: Quintal das Oliveiras, São Brás de Alportel

Twenty-odd minutes north, the coast noise disappears entirely. Quintal das Oliveiras sits in São Brás de Alportel, a market town in the hills above Faro that most beach-holiday visitors never see: a private pool, a short walk to the town's shops and cafés, and an extra cleaning service bookable on request if you want the week to stay effortless. The beach is still there if you want it, about 25 km away; most of the week, you won't bother.

How to choose

If the group wants beach clubs, golf, and a marina within reach, take the coast. If the group wants long lunches, quiet mornings, and a pool nobody else can see into, take the hills. Either way, the airport is the same distance. The only thing that changes is what's outside the window when you wake up.

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Tell the concierge which Algarve you're picturing, and we'll point you to the right villa: coast, hills, or a few days of each.