Vila do Afonso H is a large, newly-built architect designed villa, facing the sea in the Costa Vincentina Nature Reserve. Only two minutes walk from a white sandy beach and a luxury beach bar/restaurant. Next-door, a protected coastal valley boasts a plethora of fauna and flora and one of the best surfing beaches in Europe. The property is within walking distance of a picturesque fishing village and several excellent restaurants, with an 18-hole championship golf course virtually on the doorstep and three more courses within a 20-minute drive.

Named after the founder King of Portugal, this villa is one of the few properties in the Algarve that is not of Moorish design...it is a modern Roman Villa with it's own columns and stone spiral staircase. It also enjoys a secluded, highly romantic setting, and would make a superb honeymoon venue.

Walks on the doorstep

One of my favourite walks is along the coastal path to the Boco do Rio, it’s a steep path, with breathtaking sea views. Turn right on the road at the front of the villa facing the sea, walk up the hill past the Roman settlement, to the headland overlooking the Boco do Rio, an unspoilt valley with a plethora of rare fauna and flora.  Or, hire a mountain bike, there’s little traffic as the road is largely unmade.

If you carry on walking from the Boco do Rio the road bends up over another headland, which leads to Salema, a picturesque seaside village, and carry on to Figueira, where you’ll find a glorious beach, but no beach bar (a day’s walk). Take a picnic or stop for lunch at the Atlantico Restaurant, a large wooden building on beach in Salema. You may need to take a taxi back! 

Or, hire a mountain bike from the shop opposite the church in Burgau, there’s little traffic as the road is largely unmade.

There’s also a lovely walk along the coastal path on the clifftop, from the beach at Cabanas Velhas (in front of the villa) to Burgau, a picturesque fishing village, with centuries-old houses and a beautiful sandy beach with a beach bar. Do wear trainers though, as the path is steep and rocky in places.