Vilamoura Maps

Vilamoura is a modern tourist complex and luxury resort situated in the municipality of Loulé, Algarve region, southern Portugal. It is one of Europe's largest tourist developments, covering approximately 2,000 hectares of land.

The resort was founded in 1974 through a private initiative by Cupertino de Miranda, a Portuguese banker who transformed former wetlands into an upscale tourist destination. The area was historically significant during Roman times, as evidenced by the ruins of Cerro da Vila, a Roman archaeological site dating from the 1st century AD, which includes remains of a villa, baths, and fish-salting tanks.

Vilamoura is particularly famous for its six golf courses: Victoria Golf Course (host of the Portugal Masters), Old Course, Pinhal Golf Course, Laguna Golf Course, Millennium Golf Course, and Vila Sol Golf Course. The resort is also home to one of Portugal's largest marinas, Vilamoura Marina, which can accommodate up to 825 vessels and serves as a central hub for water sports, dining, and entertainment.

The resort features two beaches: Praia da Marina (Marina Beach) and Praia da Falésia (Falésia Beach). The latter is known for its distinctive red cliffs and extends for about 6 kilometers. Transportation within Vilamoura is facilitated by a network of cycling paths and pedestrian walkways. The nearest airport is Faro International Airport, located approximately 25 kilometers away.

The resort maintains a year-round population of about 2,000 permanent residents, but this number increases significantly during peak tourist seasons. The area includes numerous hotels, apartments, restaurants, a casino (Casino Vilamoura), tennis courts, a lawn bowling club, and a shooting club. The resort also features Vilamoura Environmental Park, a protected area of 200 hectares that serves as a habitat for various bird species and features walking trails.