VILLA dos ARCOS - 2 Bedroom (Sleeps 4) Villa in West Algarve
UNIQUE PROPERTY with GARDENS and POOL in A TRULY UNSPOILT COASTAL VILLAGE
Book with the owner direct
Owner/Property
Manager: Margaret Armitage and Michael Aubrey
Book this Villa by contacting the owner
directly to confirm
price, property details and availability.
Booking directly with the owner means you pay the owners price with
no added booking fees or extra charges.
Overview
Description
CHARMING VILLA AT THE EDGE OF AN HISTORIC VILLAGE IN THE NATIONAL PARKVILLA DOS ARCOS (sleeps 4) with optional cottage CASITA DO PINTOR (sleeps 2)
This charming and unusual property , very near the coast, will suit any combination of guests from 2 to 6. It has great character, a beautiful mature garden with private pool and commands dramatic views over the countryside.
VILLA DOS ARCOS (sleeps 4):
Detached villa built in 1985 to traditional design and using traditional material. Separate cottage in the grounds (Casita do Pintor, sleeps 2) available as an option.
Sitting Room - 25ft sitting room at first floor level with open fireplace and wood burning stove, satellite television with DVD player and dining area. Extensive views to North and South over the village and the surrounding open countryside. French doors to spacious terrace. Free Wi-Fi.
Kitchen - Well equipped sunny kitchen with breakfast bar. Kitchen facilities include washing machine, fridge-freezer, oven, microwave, hob, kettle, toaster, iron, cutlery and crockery.
Bedrooms - 2 bedrooms (one kingsize double, one twin) both with fitted wardrobes and french windows leading into the garden.
Bathrooms - 2 bathrooms with bath, shower, hand basin and w.c. (one also has a bidet)
Outside - Wide south facing sun terrace at first floor level with stunning views and steps leading into the gardens. Delightful garden with barbeque, wall lighting, gazebo, pergola and orange, lemon and peach trees, fruiting vines: visitors are welcome to pick the fruit.
Swimming Pool - Private swimming pool in walled garden with floral sun terraces, regularly cleaned.
General - Outside furniture includes loungers and there is a vine-covered pergola with dining table and chairs beneath it.
Linen and towels are provided but please take your own beach towels.
Suitability - Family friendly - cots are available on request, also an infant's crib and high chair . English speaking babysitter available.
CASITA DO PINTOR (Optional cottage , sleeps 2):
N.B. THE CASITA IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH VILLA DOS ARCOS (Please ask about availability and price at the time of your initial enquiry.)
Delightful cottage converted from two old barns.
Sitting room/Kitchen - Light, sunny room with kitchen area and french windows to the patio.
Bedroom - Twin bedroom with fitted wardrobes. There are two additional sofa beds in the sitting room but the cottage is most comfortable for 2.
Bathroom - Shower, hand basin and w.c.
Outside - Patio with barbeque. Swimming pool.
(N.B. The Casita is not suitable for infants due to its close proximity to the pool).
THE SURROUNDING AREA
The nearest beach is reached by a glorious short walk through a valley dotted with fig and bamboo groves, and medieval wells, with abundant bird and butterfly life. It is sheltered by cliffs all round with a ruined Roman fortress on top, and there is sometimes a freshwater lagoon. Because it cannot be reached by car there tend to be few people there.
The village itself, over 500 years old, is a conservation area so there are no modern developments and it retains all its quaint charm. Whitewashed, single storey cottages with colourful features and curious chimneys, mostly occupied by local families. Narrow, winding cobbled streets; this is a genuine village, not a tourist imitation.
There is a small fishing village about a mile away, reached on foot or by road in a couple of minutes. On its expansive, sandy beach fishermen land and sell their catch, mooring their colourful boats; several restaurants charcoal-grill the freshly-caught sea food, although recent 'improvements' have led to some of its traditional character being lost.
There are many deserted beaches and small coves within easy reach, with superb cliff-top walks between them, making this one of the finest stretches of untouched coast-line in Europe.
Visitors are thus able to enjoy the unique combination of authentic village life, together with the comforts of a modern villa and pool normally found only in developments which have destroyed so much of the Algarve. They offer that rare discovery - THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.
The Villa is attractively furnished in traditional Portuguese style and include bed linen, towels, and complimentary welcome pack with a generous selection of food and wine.
An English speaking baby sitter is available by arrangement..
FACILITIES NEARBY (with times by car):
GOLF: Parque da Floresta. A fine 18 hole championship course, never crowded, in a charming forest setting with many water holes and challenges.
( 3 minutes)
Palmares. 18 hole seaside links course. (20 minutes)
Penina. 36 hole woodland course(s). (30 minutes)
Boa Vista. 18 hole cliff-top course. (15 minutes)
BIRD WATCHING.
There is an abundance of bird life, including Sardinian and Melodious Warblers, Montagu's and Marsh Harriers, and Egrets. There are many other rare species in the area including Pratincoles, Stilts, Hoopoes, Bee-eaters, Black and Red Kites, Vultures, Booted Eagles and migrants (en route to Africa).
Professionally guided tours to breeding grounds and, by boat, to watch Petrels and others far out at sea. Lagos has a centre where large birds of prey are demonstrated daily . There is a vast wetland bird reserve at Palmares.
A bird-watching log-book is kept in the Villa with previous sightings, which visitors are welcome to up-date.
SPORTS
Highly recommended riding academy nearby with tuition and excellent horses to hire for hacking : roam freely over miles of wild unspoilt countryside and beaches.
Squash, Tennis (3 minutes)
Wind-surfing in Salema (3 minutes). Excellent board and body surfing at numerous nearby beaches
Sailing, Micro-light hire in Lagos (15 minutes)
"Slide and Splash" Aquatic Park (30 minutes)
Scuba diving also arranged
Donkey sanctuary nearby (3 minutes)
Fishing: Superb sea fishing all along the coast
Big Game, Marlin and Shark fishing in Lagos
Beach-Barbecues: (arranged by boat). Scooter hire and local market in Salema (3 minutes)
Entertainment: Museums, Churches, Galleries, local handicrafts, cinema, wide range of restaurants and night life in Lagos.
Local Art School (English speaking) in Burgau (8 minutes )
Bedroom Details
Bedroom 1
1 x King Bed
Bedroom 2
2 x Single Beds
24 Reviews
Stunning villa in a beautiful place
By Mark and MT on 18-Sep-2026This is the third time we have stayed at this stunning villa, and each time I fall in love with it a little more. The villa itself is simply beautiful, the rooms spacious, all sunny and light and immaculately kept, and it has a gorgeous garden (lemon and lime trees, beautiful flowers) and a great swimming pool to lounge beside or cool down in. It also has a south-facing terrace that overlooks the village, all the way towards the hills that lead to the ocean, and is the perfect place to eat and have a glass of wine. There's nothing else like it in Figueira. Figueira itself is a hidden gem in the Algarve. It's an idyllic traditional village, still unspoilt and with few tourists. It has a handful of cafes and bars (including a great pizza bar), which are really friendly and serve good food. It's very peaceful. About a 1.5km walk from the village and you'll find first of three beaches, all of which join together when the tide is sufficiently out. The beaches, and the surrounding coast line, are like paradise, and are very quiet. The water is great for swimming, warm and usually very calm. It's one of my favourite places in the world. We plan on returning here year after year, it's that good.
Charming Villa
By D P on 13-Aug-2026We had a wonderful stay as a family of four! The property was well-equipped with everything we needed and felt traditionally Portuguese. We loved starting our mornings with slow, relaxing breakfasts and spending peaceful afternoons by the pool — reading, enjoying a glass of wine, and admiring the gorgeous surrounding gardens and flowers. Highly recommended, and we'd love to return!
Perfect property with pool
By Ruth on 11-Jul-2026We had a fabulous fortnight staying in Villa dos Arcos. The property is charming with a lovely garden with lemons and lime trees and beautiful flowers. The pool was totally secluded and perfect. The location is great with easy access to various beaches along the south and west coasts. The pizza restaurant in the village was a great find. We enjoyed horse riding nearby and kayaking at Lagos . Would highly recommend this property, the generous welcome pack was appreciated. And the linen change after week one was a lovely surprise. Perfect spot for relaxing and exploring. The cake shop 5 mins from the property was a real treat.
Beautiful home in an idyllic location
By Callum McCabe on 30-Jul-2026I stayed with my family and had the most wonderful time. The home is situated in an idyllic town with beautiful views across the valley and meadows. Every day we would walk to the beach and swim in the sea. The sandy beaches are perfect for a picnic and you can spend a whole day there. There are also some lovely bars and restaurants within walking distance, I particularly recommend the Japanese restaurant on the beach. The house has a pool in the courtyard perfect for cooling off in the summer heat, and the lemon tree in the garden makes the whole place feel so Mediterranean. Every day you spend here should be started walking just 3 minutes to the local cafe for a 2 euro coffee and delicious Portuguese tart
Charm and Serenity in a Traditional Setting
By Mrs Monica Withrington on 09-Jun-2026The Villa dos Arcos provides an authentic feel to the Portuguese experience. Occupying the highest point in an historic village, the villa has been designed in complete sympathy with the traditions of the country, both in its decor and in its architecture. Two large bedrooms occupy the ground floor and give access to a courtyard embellished with raised flower beds, trees and climbing plants. Beyond, in a second enclosure, the swimming-pool has the most charming and colourful surround, with trellises and small trees. Upstairs, in the villa itself, is a large open space for dining and relaxing. A balcony, stretching the length of the building, provides views of the hills which border the sea. The only concession to modern life is the well-stocked kitchen, where everything is in excellent working order. A stay in such delightful and relaxed surroundings might well be enough for the holiday-maker, but there are plenty of opportunities to explore further, owing to an excellent bus service. The village is an easy journey to Cape St Vincent, Europe's furthest point west, while the bustling, yet pleasant, harbour town of Lagos lies a mere twenty minutes to the east. The nearest beach is a two-mile walk away, and can also be reached by bus. We look forward to making a return visit in the near future.
Great villa in a quaint Algarvian village
By Ivor Williams on 01-Apr-2026We stayed in the Villa Dos Arcos for the month of April, enjoyed it immenseley and actually felt quite at home during our occupancy. The villa itself was spotlessly clean and very well appointed in all aspects with all modern conveniences. At various points in the month, we had family and friends to stay and there was plenty of room to accommodate everyone without feeling as though we were on top of each other. The small garden was delightful and the pool area roomy and very private. The villa is in a quiet part of the village although within short walking distance from the amenities that it has to offer. The traditional village has narrow streets and sometimes it is not possible to park immediately outside the villa therefore a flexible attitude is required to park and walk. Although the village shop is now closed there is a supermarket very close to the village where everything may be found. We loved the locality with the local beach only a short walk away and the small resort of Salema only five minutes away by car. Lovely villa and great holiday!