Almancil is positioned near the southern coast of Portugal and is considered a peaceful gateway town compared to the livelier beach resort towns nearby. This small township features preserved Algarvian architecture and a nearby go-kart track, while venturing closer to the North Atlantic Ocean reveals stunning beaches and golf courses.

Things to do

Start your exploration of Almancil with the 17th-century Church of São Lourenço, which is covered in ceramic tiles and features Baroque architectural traits. On the opposite side of the town is Karting Almancil, where you can jump behind the wheel of a high-speed go-kart and race around an outdoor circuit track.

Within the centre of Almancil you’ll discover a wealth of local restaurants, ranging from homemade pizza at Maxi Pizza Almancil to classic Portuguese seafood dishes at Gamboa Restaurant. Between your meals, check out vintage cars and motorbikes at Platinumauto or purchase clothes for the kids at Maria Cristina Vilão Pica.

Looking for a grassy spot to kick back and relax? Head over to Jardim das Comunidades, a public park with wide grassy areas, a large children’s playground and central pond. It’s surrounded by a range of shops and restaurants, including the Japanese-inspired Sushi Kappa and Golfers Paradise, which sells golf clubs, outfits and accessories.

Keen golfers can also take advantage of the nearby courses at the resort towns of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. Tee off at the Vale do Lobo Ocean and Royal Golf Courses or San Lorenzo Golf Course, before heading to Quinta do Lago Beach for swimming and sunbathing on beach loungers.

Getting around

Almancil is about 15 minutes’ drive from Faro Airport, which has flights from various European destinations. Almancil also has a main train station with services to Lagos and Faro. You can walk around the centre of town but will need a vehicle to venture further.