Living in Vilamoura often feels very different from the rest of the Algarve. It’s planned, polished and centred around the marina, with golf courses, low‑rise apartment blocks and tidy residential areas rather than old town sprawl.
Is Vilamoura a good place to live?
Arguably one of the top places to live in the Algarve for foreigners, Vilamoura works well if you value ease and routine. The area is clean, walkable and generally calm, especially outside the summer months. It’s popular with retirees, remote workers and long‑term residents who want sunshine without too much friction.
Living in Vilamoura: pros and cons
Life in Vilamoura is comfortable and fairly predictable, which is exactly why some people settle here long term, while others drift off to nearby towns after a few years.
Some of the pros of living in Vilamoura include:
- Orderly and low‑stress daily life
Streets are clean, services are reliable, and the layout makes day‑to‑day errands simple, especially if driving. - Strong sense of safety
Vilamoura is one of the safest spots in the Algarve. Walking around at night feels comfortable, and petty crime is relatively rare. - Outdoor lifestyle year‑round
Golf courses, coastal walks, cycling paths and the marina keep people outside most days of the year.
Some of the cons of living in Vilamoura include:
- Limited connection to traditional Portuguese life
The area feels international first, Portuguese second. Local neighbourhood rhythms, small family‑run cafés and everyday Portuguese culture exist, but they’re not front and centre. - Higher costs compared to nearby towns
Rent, property prices, eating out near the marina and even basic services tend to cost more here.
Cost of living in Vilamoura
Cost of living in Vilamoura
The cost of living in Vilamoura is noticeably higher than in many other parts of the Algarve, but day‑to‑day expenses are still fairly manageable.
Eating out doesn’t have to be a splurge if you stick to simpler places away from the marina. According to Numbeo, a cheap main course sits around €12, while a mid‑range meal for two comes in at about €40. A beer out usually costs €2 and a coffee at a café around €1.60.
Monthly extras are predictable rather than cheap, with a public transport pass at €20, a gym membership averaging €30, and basic utilities for an 85 m² flat at roughly €120 per month.
Real Estate in Vilamoura
Housing is where Vilamoura really stretches the budget. As of December 2025, property prices in Vilamoura averaged around €5,104 per m². This makes it the second most expensive parish in the Algarve after Almancil.
For context, ultra‑premium areas like Quinta do Lago in Almancil sit much higher at around €11,412 per m², while the wider Loulé municipality averages closer to €4,567 per m².
Rent prices in Vilamoura averaged €17.2 per m² in the same month, meaning an 80 m² apartment would typically cost about €1,376 per month. Almancil rents are higher again, averaging €19.8 per m², which explains why Vilamoura still feels like the more attainable option in this corner of the Algarve.
Things to do in Vilamoura
Life in Vilamoura tends to revolve around the outdoors and an easy, well‑organised routine. Activities here are less about ticking off landmarks and more about settling into habits, with plenty of ways to fill your time without needing to travel far.
- Spend time around Vilamoura Marina
The marina is the social hub, especially in the evenings. People walk the loop, stop for a drink, or linger over dinner. - Use the beaches regularly
Top blue flag beaches in the Algarve near Vilamoura include Praia da Falésia and Praia de Vilamoura. Outside peak season, they’re quiet enough for long walks and morning swims. - Golf and sports facilities
Vilamoura is heavily geared towards golf, with several courses spread around the area. There are also tennis courts, padel clubs and cycling routes. - Walking and cycling paths
Flat terrain and purpose‑built paths make it easy to get around on foot or by bike. - Boat trips and water activities
Short cruises, fishing trips and water sports leave directly from the marina. - Day trips nearby
Loulé, Quarteira and Faro are all close enough for a change of pace. Traditional markets, old town centres and more everyday Portuguese life are easy to dip into.
Everyday life in Vilamoura
Transportation
Vilamoura is easy to navigate, especially if you drive, with flat roads and clear layouts. Faro Airport is about a 30‑minute drive, which keeps international travel straightforward, and Lisbon is roughly two and a half hours by car.
Healthcare
Healthcare in Vilamoura is reliable and familiar for foreign residents. Public healthcare is accessible once registered, while private clinics are widely used due to shorter waiting times and reasonable costs.
Education
Families living in Vilamoura often look beyond the immediate area for schooling. International schools following the British curriculum are popular choices, especially around Almancil and Loulé.
Shopping and Dining
Vilamoura itself covers day‑to‑day needs, while larger shopping centres, outlet malls and places like IKEA are a short drive away. Many residents do regular food shopping in Quarteira, especially for fresh fish and produce.
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