Near Area:
Quinta Sol e Mar is located in the Eastern Algarve between the cities Olhão and Tavira in the small village of Arroteia.

Arroteia is a typical Portuguese village with scattered flat houses of not more than 1 storey, without a hotel or other kind of touristic urbanisation. It also has no industry or trade centres, but – and this is very important - two simple typical restaurants and a couple of cafes/bars, as well a small super market, even a train station, a primary school and a chapel.

The house is situated very close to the sea side within the Natural Park „Ria Formosa“ with its many sandbanks, shoals and fauna – a paradise for bird-watchers. Even during the high season you can walk for miles on the sandbank beaches hardly meeting people.

Wide Area:
Monchique and the surrounding mountains close to the west coast are famous in the Algarve. If the weather is good and clear, you have a 360° view over the whole south-west end of Europe.
If you are interested to see typical old towns we suggest you take the car and drive just north up the hills direction Alentejo. Some of the small inland villages are still a few decades behind the “standard” to the coast region. And the beautiful Spainish region Andalucía is just 50 km. to the east.

Beaches:
If you don’t want to walk through the sandbanks to the beaches and the open sea, you can either take a ferry boat from the near towns of Fuseta, Olhão and Santa Luzia or take a ride on an old little train from the nice tourist village Pedras del Rei, which is a highlight especially for children. The beaches are in close proximity, within short driving distance.

Cycling:
The portuguese people like cycling. The region offers many options for mountain bikers and race bikers. Both types of cycling are very popular in Portugal. The landscape profile offers challeging trips for race and mountain bikers, for mountain bikers also thousands (!) of opportunities offside the road. But also less trained people can enjoy the region. Best season are spring and autumn (and even winter, but bigger risk of rain) because the temperature is about 20°C and the risk of rainy days is low. The summer time is very hot and just for cyclists who are used to it.

Golf:
The Algarve offers more than 30 golf courses and is one of the most famous and beautiful golf area in the world. All golf courses are in more or less short driving distance.

Surfing / Kiting:
The Algarve coast is “divided” in the “Beach Algarve” (Algarve das praias) and the “Cliff Algarve” (Algarve das rochas). The “Beach-Algarve” in front of the villa is perfect for all water sports you need wind for, like wind surfing and kiting. The wide and lonely beaches allow you to do your sport without being disturbed. For surfing you need higher waves for, it´s the best to go to the “Cliff-Algarve”. Its just a 45 Minutes drive away.

Fishing:
The Algarve coast offers several types of fishing. You can fish from the cliffs and moles for various types of breams and also spinning for sea basses. Trips for Big Game Fishing are available from Vilamoura. The Algarve is also famous for tuna, swordfish and the white sailing fish. The season for big game fishing is from June until September.

Horse Riding:
In the Algarve you find also several opportunities to enjoy a ride on a horse back – also for children.

Sailing:
Alongside the coast you find several sailing clubs where you can join groups for sailing trips. You can also book sailing courses to improve your skills or charter your own boat, if you are an experienced sailor. Keep in mind that Portugal is an old “sailor nation” and very proud of it – therefore the standard of sailing is high.

Snorkling/Diving:
The Algarve coast has a wounderfull underwater world. A perfect territory for snorkling. You can see Sea Breams, Sea Bas, Trikker Fish, Octopus and so on… even a Moon Fish you can meet.
But attention: The Atlantic is not the Mediterranean Sea. The tides and streams are very strong and just for experienced divers – not for kids.

Next located small cities from Arroteia are: Tavira (13 km), Olhão (15 km) and Faro (20 km). For shopping we suggest Faro (20 km), Villa Real (35 km) or even Sevilla (160 km) in Spain. Sevilla invites you also to spend a sightseeing day.

Food:
Traditional fish, meat and fresh vegetable markets you will find in the neighbouring towns of Olhão, Tavira and Fuseta. But in general you can buy also very good meat and fish in 1st class super markets in Olhão, Tavira and Faro, where you also find all other food products and belongings for the daily life. Close to Arroteia, the small neighbour villages also have small supermarkets where you find the basics.

Shopping:
The Faro Shopping Center is a good option and and a new Shopping Center called "Ria Shopping" in Olhão has recently opened doors, it also has a cinema. But also in the historic city center of Faro you will find your new t-shirt for the beach or new shorts. Another very nice shopping expirience can be found in Sevilla.

Sportswear-/ equipment:
In the Faro shopping center "Forum Algarve" as well as in Olhão´s "Ria Shopping" you find a big shop for all kind of sports equipment at very fair prices. If you need new swimming cloths, a wet suit or a beach towel, you get it there. Also equipment for fishing, snorkling, bycicling, surfing, footbal, tennis, golf etc..

Traditional Handcrafts:
Can be found in shops spread all over the Algarve beside the main roads. You can´t miss them. Also a high light are the gipsy markets held frequently in towns like São Bras, Estói, Loulé or Moncarapacho. For dates please ask us or contact the local tourist center.

All our suggestions and information are based on using a car. A puplic system is available. A bus and train station is close to the house, but just an option when you want to go to the city centers of Olhão, Faro, Villa Real, Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos and even Lisbon to the west and Tavira and Vila Real to the east.

To recieve driving instructions, Please email us at: rpoehner@gebrpoehner.de

Below is the Google map of the region.