Quinta do Rio Portugal

The charming Quinta do Rio was built in 1986 and is situated a short drive from the centre of the lovely town of Olhao, 4km from the beach and 10km from Faro. It is a three bedroom villa for six guests with easy access to the spectacular Ria Formosa Nature Park, the atmospheric Old Town of Faro and the alluring town of Tavira.  Quinta do Rio sits on a large plot with a large lawn at the front and a fabulous curvy pool and terrace at the rear. The ground floor is open-plan with a huge, modern corner sofa in the living area, a slightly raised dining area and a huge, modern kitchen. The kitchen contains so many cupboards and is well-equipped. It leads directly to an alfresco dining terrace and a built-in barbecue. There is a cosy bar close to the stairs. The villa boasts three excellent double rooms, all with so much space and double beds. The bedrooms are very light with huge glass doors opening to small balconies and offering wonderful views. The villa has two well-maintained, tiled bathrooms. Quinta do Rio is very comfortable and very spacious with excellent outdoor space. It is situated in a fabulous position, close to the airport and with plenty of entertainment on the doorstep!Quinta do Rio is very close to the centre of Olhao, a major fishing port. It was in Olhao that the first canning factory was established in 1882, sparking a trend that spread in both directions along the coast, with canned tuna and sardines becoming a large source of income for the Algarve. The old quarter of Olhao brims with Moorish-style houses, square and whitewashed with flat terraced roofs and boxed chimneys. The church of Nossa Senhora do Roario dates back to the 17th century and the chapel behind it, dedicated to Nossa Senhora dos Afelitos, is still the place where the fishermen’s wives gather during stormy weather to pray for their husbands. The long, delightful promenade is very attractive with the Jardim Pescador do Olhanense gardens. The fish market on the waterfront is Olhao’s main draw. It is buzzy and quaint and sells honey, chickens, a huge array of local produce as well as many types of fish. There are fabulous, atmospheric cafes and restaurants overlooking the colourful boats moored along the waterfront in the marina and the sandy beaches of Armona and Culatra. Small ferry boats take tourists to the islands of the Rio Formosa for beach days and fabulous picnics and lunches. Ilha da Culatra is beautiful and perfect for snorkelling and diving. Ilha do Farol is at the area at the western end of Culatra with a lighthouse. Ilha da Armona is the nearest to Olhao and boasts a few fish restaurants as well as a gorgeous, golden sandy beach. The islands are especially beautiful at sunset. Tavira Island is further along the coast and again is lovely. You can take a ferry ride across the River Gilao. Praia do Barril is reached by a 1km pretty track or a cosy train ride once you have crossed the water. The town of Tavira is beautiful with charming, narrow streets lined with cute cafes and decked with flags and colourful flowers. Tavira lies along the slow-flowing Gilao River and is a delightful mix of traditional Portuguese heritage with Moorish influences. Many restaurants serve delicious meals, plus there is a myriad of decorative churches.  You should also head back into Faro Old Town for an afternoon or evening, entering through the town’s 11th century Arab gateway, Arco da Vila, the oldest horseshoe arch in the country. The old town is a charming labyrinth of pretty narrow streets. The Manuel Bivar Gardens are very pretty, and the Municipal Museum is an interesting find to enjoy many archaeological items. At Excellence Luxury Villas we pride ourselves on going that little bit further for our guests. From private chefs to babysitters we can help you arrange those little extras that make it a truly memorable holiday. Simply fill in the concierge request form or contact Excellence Luxury Villas Concierge Team who will be happy to help. We can typically help you arrange any of the following:
– Maid service/extra cleaning- Private chef/cook/catering- Welcome hamper/pre-stocked fridge- Local day-trips or tours- Airport pick-up/drop-off- Babysitting/childcare services
Please note that all extras are subject to availability and must be requested in advance of the holiday (prices on request). Due to some rural/remote locations, not all services will be available at all properties. However, we will always do our best to fulfil your requests!