The Algarve is renowned for championship golf courses and a huge choice of par 3, 9-hole and 18-hole courses. Play golf in the Algarve and visit The Royal Golf Course at Vale do Lobo with its famous 16th hole on the sea cliff edge or just a short 15 minute drive from Figs on the Funcho is the Amendeiro Resort with its Nick Faldo and Christy O’Connor courses. Pine Cliffs Resort has a beautiful 9-hole course and a restaurant overlooking the green serving the best Club Sandwiches! You can stay at our luxury one-bedroom Pine Cliffs apartment located on one of the best beaches in the Algarve.
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The Algarve beaches of Portugal are some of the finest beaches in southern Europe. The deep red colour of the sand stone cliffs can be quite spectacular, particularly at sunset. Here are just a few top choice beaches close to Figs on the Funcho. Olhos da Aqua beach is a sandy blue flag beach, ideal for small children as all the facilities are close by. Albufeira’s beautiful golden sandy beaches, Praia do Túnel and Praia dos Pescadores are a popular choice, with lots of restaurants and coffee shops. The colourful Algarve fishing boats can be found on Praia dos Pescadores (Fisherman’s beach) and if you get there early in the mornings you can watch the fishermen bring in their catch for the local restaurants.

For the adrenalin junkies amongst you! Quad biking is a popular activity for group bookings and wedding parties. Quinta da Bica Quad Bike Experience Adventure Centre is a 10 minute walk from Figs on the Funcho. Tour guide, Hugo, will take you on a thrilling and explorative quad bike ride through the Algarve countryside and along the riverside. An all-day adventure includes a swim in one of the natural dams and lunch at a local Portuguese restaurant.

With its location right next to the Funcho Dam, guests staying at Figs on the Funcho can try out a number of different watersports during their stay. Enjoy some fantastic watersports in The Algarve from stand-up-paddle boarding (SUP) to kayaking, our watersports partners can arrange delivery of most equipment, lessons and guided nature tours on the Funcho Dam and river beyond. Of course, if you venture to one of the many beaches just 20 minutes drive away, you will find a number of water sport operators who offer para-sailing, jet ski hire, rib or banana rides, private speedboat rental, water skiing, wakeboarding or Ringo rides.

Not too far from Figs on the Funcho is the attractive village of Alte which boasts one of two natural wild swimming pools in the Algarve. Enjoy wild swimming in the Algarve at these cool refreshing pools provide a much-needed welcome from the heat of the day. Park at Fonte Grande and slip into the cool, clear spring waters and enjoy a refreshing wild swimming experience. The water is clean with shallow areas for children to enjoy themselves. The largest waterfall in the Algarve can be found 2km from the village of Alte at Queda Vigario. The water falls 24 metres into an oval pond which is fun to swim in. This is a lovely area to picnic but take your own umbrella as there is not much shade!
If you love the outdoors and enjoy nature you may want to try Stand-up Paddle Boarding on the river Funcho in Portugal, Algarve. Paddleboarding is one of the fastest growing sports and it is very easy technique to master that is ideal for all ages.
Stand up paddle (SUP) lessons/tours on the river
Stand up paddle (SUP) boarders stand on their boards and use a paddle to propel themselves through the water. Paddleboard instructor, Bruno, will outline the essential safety advice and tips and techniques to help you stand up, balance, turn and manoeuvre the board in a calm water environment.
The clean, calm waters of the river Funcho are perfect for a leisurely glide down the river and great for bird watching and fish jumping.
Contact us for more information about paddle boarding on the river Funcho when staying at Figs on the Funcho.

Food! Whether you want to prepare it or just love eating it, it’s an ideal way of bringing friends and family together. Enjoy an Algarve Culinary Experience At Figs on the Funcho, you and your guests can actually learn how to cook Portuguese dishes under the guidance of local chefs. From a four-hour cooking lesson to a five-day culinary extravaganza, discover our Culinary Experiences and make sure your holiday is extra special.

With so many restaurants in the area, you’ll have a number of choices every day. Choose from traditional Portuguese restaurants, famous Piri Piri Chicken eateries and even Michelin Star restaurants. That is of course if you can tear yourself away from Figs on the Funcho. 

Book the cave exploration tour at Vilamoura marina to see unique rock stacks along the Algarve coastline and watch the dolphins frolic in their natural habitat. Alternatively, swim with the dolphins at Zoo Marine. Book ahead as this is a very popular experience.

Vilamoura is the largest marina in Portugal and has the capacity to berth over 1000 vessels. Why not celebrate a special occasion such as a special birthday, honeymoon, anniversary or Valentines day with an Algarve boat trip… read more

Visit the Country Riding Centre in Silves, an established horse riding centre that offers lessons and hour long to half day rides suitable for all ages and abilities. Walk, trot, canter or gallop depending on your level of experience, along beautiful paths that lead up into the hills allowing you to enjoy Portugal’s beautiful landscape views.

There are many walks and trails close to Figs on the Funcho, the closest and most spectacular is The Via Algarviana, it goes right past our driveway! It stretches from east to west across the Algarve covering about 255km and is made up of 14 sections. read more

Rocha da Pena is situated between Benafim and Salir. It’s a place of outstanding, natural beauty in a protected reserve and close to Figs on the Funcho and near the town of Alte. The Rocha da Pena rock is about 50 meters high, topped by a 2 km plateau. It’s a favourite location for rock climbers. The rock is south facing which makes it ideal for rock climbing all year round.

The Algarve is rich in bird life with more than bird 300 species that can be seen throughout the year. The highlight of the year is the annual October Algarve Sagres Birdwatching Festival. There are plenty of things to do and see during the 4-day bird watching festival, many of which are free but you must register in advance to avoid disappointment.

The Annabel Croft tennis academy, in Portugal, is located at the Pine Cliffs Resort with five tennis courts, including 3 green set hard courts and 2 red clay courts. Other tennis facilities at the Amendoeira Golf Resort are located a short 15 minute drive from Figs on the Funcho. Book one of the six tennis courts, two of which are floodlit. Group or one-to-one tennis lessons can be booked directly with each resort.

Figs on the Funcho can arrange for a beautician, masseuse or even a Reiki specialist to visit you at The River House or River Lodge. Many larger groups like this option, especially if they are there for a wedding or special celebration. However, there are a few luxury spas close by that are definitely worth a visit.

Imagine early morning yoga on the front deck overlooking the Funcho Dam. The only sound is the water below and birdsong. Our wellness breaks are getting more and more popular and we work closely with Yoga instructors and Nutritionists in the UK and Portugal. Join one of Figs on the Funcho’s Upcoming Retreats and return home feeling refreshed, energised and balanced.

With so many traditional Portuguese towns and villages in the vicinity of Figs on the Funcho, you’ll be pushed to fit them all in. Here are a few of our favourites that are definitely worth a visit.

There are some really fun things to do in The Algarve: one of which is water parks! Zoo Marine Water Park is very popular with children and offers a full day of entertainment. Visit the bird shows, aquarium, gardens, amusement rides and 3 swimming pools. Other water parks are Aqualand near Alcantarilha, the Aquashow and Slide and Splash near Vilamoura and Atlantic Park near Lagoa. All of these offer an exciting and exhilarating day out for the whole family.
The best water parks in The Algarve.

February – Carnival Parade
The largest carnival parade is held in Loule but parades are also held in Carvoerio and Alte. Loulé carnival entry is by ticket only. The party starts at 3pm, so get there early and have lunch ahead of the procession.
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All week – A fish and produce market in Monchique. On Sunday, you will find this market near the church with the Manueline doorway. On other days, it’s close to the Post Office. Perfect for fresh fish as Monchique is only half an hour from the coast.
Daily except for Sunday, Loule – Leather goods, hand-made pottery, crochet, lace and fresh local produce. An indoor market in an Arabian style market hall on Praça da República surrounded by coffee shops and restaurants.

Monchique, the picturesque village close to Figs on the Funcho is known for its local crafts. Pick up hand-made pottery, basketwork, tablecloths and leather goods here. Look out for the famous ‘scissors chair’ that is also made in this region and don’t leave without a traditional copper cataplana – a dish used for Portuguese stews. Enjoy a day out following the pottery route and visiting the pottery outlets around Porches.

The Algarve has a range of entertainment choices for families. Here are a few of our favourite outings… read more

It doesn’t rain often in Portugal. In fact, the Algarve has an annual average of 3000 sunshine hours that is on average 12 hours in the summer and 6 hours in the winter and winter temperatures never fall below zero. However, when the weather’s not so great, you can always:

– Find unique gifts at Porches Pottery, housed in a traditional Algarvian farmhouse, and enjoy a light lunch at the adjacent Bar Bacchus that is beautifully decorated with murals telling the story of the Roman god Bacchus. Open every day except Sundays.
– Seek out beautifully handmade arts and crafts at the Arabian style indoor market hall of Loulé. Open every day except Sundays.
– Spend a day pampering yourself at the Pine Cliffs Serenity Spa with its’ luxurious Thermal Oasis with Hydro Pool, Turkish Bath and Himalayan Rock Salt Sauna.
– Explore one of the best preserved Moorish castles, in the historical town of Silves, and if you enjoy seafood enjoy a leisurely lunch at the restaurant, Rui Marisqueira, not far from the castle. Other top things to do in Silves.
– Visit a large selection of stores at the Algarve Shopping centre with a variety of restaurants and cafés on the top floor.