Quinta do Lago holidays

Who needs Nando’s when you’re in the home of piri piri chicken! Whole chicken roasted in red wine and smoked paprika – you can almost taste the spice. Serve it with some garlic potatoes and you’ve got a winning dish. Quinta Do Lago is also big on its seafood, GiGi’s in particular has some of the best catches in the area. Situated right on the beach, dig into clam tomato salads, grilled squid and lemon infused sea bass, all while gazing out on the alluring Atlantic. There are 10 Michelin Star restaurants for those seeking first-class fare in a premium setting. Gusto is must-visit and is overseen by award-winning chef Heinz Beck. Specialising in Mediterranean cuisine, your taste buds are in for a real treat. Alternatively, keep it simple at Alef Burger Bar where you have the choice of eight different toppings minus the hefty price tag. While you’re at it, why not grab a drink of the island’s most famous tipple, port?

This spacious pristine beach is situated in the south of the Algarve in the large Ria Formosa Natural Park. So not only can you sunbathe on award-winning sands, but you can take advantage of the natural marvels, including the walking trails and wild animals. Surrounding this breathtaking coast you’ll find beachfront properties, horse riding schools, tennis courts and most importantly putting greens. At a phenomenal three kilometres in length with cascading white dunes dominating the backdrop, it’s easy to get captivated by its undeniable beauty. Gentle sloping sands entice you into its shallow waters, which are ideal for tiny swimmers due to its safe conditions. A small beach bar called Koko has cocktails around-the-clock on standby, not to mention some tasty snacks. In addition, you can hire pedal boats, paddleboards and soar over the ripples via banana boat, thanks to its extensive watersport collection.

It may be well-known as an exclusive golfing location, but there’s so much more to Quinta Do Lago than meets the eye. For starters, it’s jam-packed with high-end fashion boutiques where brands such as Gucci and Chanel showcase their finest collections. Tennis is also hugely popular in the resort and when you’re not practicing your backspin, you’ll be checking out its entertainment scene.

Feel the rush on the go-karting track: Adrenaline junkies will adore Karting Amancil, which is a premier track in the Algarve. In fact, F1 fans will be overjoyed to know the late motor racing star Ayrton Senna was a frequent visitor to Quinta do Lago and inaugurated the track itself. It’s a direct copy of the F1 track in Brazil, Senna’s home country with a 760-metre-long circuit and seven metres wide. Open all year round, all generations can speed around this course. Starting at three years, tiny tots can enjoy a mini driving experience. Junior karting is for ages seven to 12, while teens 13 onwards can pick up speed in a high-performance car up to 390cc. But that’s not all, off-road dune buggies are available for anyone with a driving licence and paintballing is another highlight.

Golfing bananza: Dying to get that hole in one? This is the place to do it. Home to Portugal’s Best Golf Course and named Europe’s Best Golf Destination, there’s no end to its sporting awards. Over at the North Course awaits a championship par-72 course built by renowned architect Beau Welling alongside former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley. The South Course is the resort’s crown jewel and a favourite among European tour players. This 6,500-metre par-72 putting green is set among umbrella pines, lakes and wild flowers. The difficulty level will challenge any expert golfer.