Salema The nearest beach.  You can easily walk here or it's a five minute drive.  The Atlantico Beach Bar and Restaurant (above) is just one of many excellent eateries and bars in Salema, four of them offering sea views. The beach is popular with tourists, but Salema retains its identity as an active fishing village. Other local beaches include Figueira, Zavial, Ingrina, Boca do Rio, Burgau, Martinhal & Sagres.

Praia da Luz Fifteen minutes away, this popular resort features a stunning sandy beach, excellent restaurants and many fine shops, cafes and bars.  The long promenade offers views of the beach and rocky cliffs. The promontories that appear beyond the old fort are popular with fishermen and kids going crabbing.  Other towns and resorts east of Parque da Floresta include Burgau, Lagos, Alvor, Portimao and Carvoiero.

Lagos Less than twenty minutes from the house, this town has a great deal to offer the holidaymaker. Several sandy beaches, the spectacular rock formations of the Ponte de Piedade, an enormous pedestrianised town centre with dozens of great restaurants, bars, cafes and countless shops of every kind. At the Marina you can enjoy breakfast or lunch and watch the gentle rocking of the yachts and cruisers.