Vale de Parra, Portugal: All You Need To Know Guide + Tips
Vale de Parra in the Algarve, although very small, is a great little spot to stay if you are looking for complete relaxation away from the main tourist town of Albufeira.
Whilst there isn’t much to do here, it works as a fantastic base to explore nearby towns, cities & beaches.
You’ll find the neighbourhood is mostly made up of villas, houses & apartments, however there are some really nice places to eat & drink dotted along the main street that are worth visiting!
We’ve personally stayed in a villa twice here, & we thought it was lovely place for a super chill, quiet holiday.
So here’s our very quick guide to Vale de Parra, including some photos, tips & our recommendations on where to stay & eat!
How To Get To Vale de Parra
The neighbourhood of Vale de Parra is located inland off the Algarve coast.
It’s a 15 min drive to the nearby popular resort of Albufeira.
From Faro Airport it’s a 40-50 min drive.
You can take the A22 motorway, or if you want to avoid tolls, we normally take the N125 road. Always check Google Maps for the best route.
We always hire a rental car when we visit Portugal, which we book in advance then pick up at Faro Airport.
We recommend using the website Discover Cars to compare all the car rental companies to get the best price.
We’ve personally used it several times now as it has really good deals, & everything has always went smoothly!
Where To Stay In Vale De Parra
As we mentioned above, whilst there isn’t a lot to do in Vale de Parra, it’s a fantastic place to stay as your base for exploring the Algarve.
There’s a great selection of villas & apartments to choose from, whether you’re visiting as a couple or a family.
Here are some of the best places to stay in Vale de Parra:
- Villa Arvela – we’ve stayed here twice & it’s a really great villa if you’re looking for ULTIMATE peace & quiet. It’s about a 10/15 min walk into Vale de Parra. The décor inside isn’t the most modern, however it’s clean & the outside space is unbelievable with the bbq, seating area & the private swimming pool. Can highly recommend.
- By The Sea Apartment – if you want to be closer to bars/restaurants, this apartment right in the centre of the village would be perfect. It has a shared pool & lovely garden area. The apartment looks spotless as does the complex itself.
- D_Loft Ocean Apartment – this is another stunning, ultra modern apartment a stone’s throw from the main street. The rooftop views look amazing – I can imagine just sitting in the jacuzzi watching the sunset! It has a shared pool in the complex too.
If none of these take your fancy, here’s some more accommodation options!
Where To Eat & Drink In Vale de Parra
One thing about Vale de Parra is that it has some really nice cafes, bars & restaurants to try!
Our personal favourite is Doçaria Almeixar, Bistrô, where we usually go for coffees, breakfast & brunch. They have tasty desserts & pastries too!
If you fancy a cold beverage without any frills, we enjoyed sitting outside in the sunshine at Littrus Bar one afternoon! The owner was really friendly so that always makes a difference.
Other top-rated restaurants in Vale de Parra are:
If you don’t mind driving or catching an UBER, we also loved these places to eat nearby & can highly recommend all them:
- Zimzala Surf Culture Cafe (great for coffee & a bun!)
- Massa Fina da Praia da Gale (tasty pizzas & cocktails!)
- Restaurante Bellavita (great pizza & service!)
- Dom Dinis (family owned restaurant)
- Restaurante O Marinheiro (amazing cocktails & beautiful dishes)
Supermarkets In Vale de Parra
For all your essentials, there’s an ALDI right in the centre of the village.
If you have a car, we also liked going to the nearby Coviran supermarket for fresh meats & kebabs etc to put on the barbeque. You’ll find lots of UK recognized brands here too.
For more ‘Marks & Spencers’ or ‘Waitrose’ quality, we love the Apolonia Supermarket in Gale. They also have nice cafe as well!
Beaches Near Vale de Parra
Something we loved about staying in this area, was that most of the best Algarve beaches are just a short drive away!
Here are some of our favourites near Vale de Parra:
- Praia dos Salgados – 8 min drive
- Praia da Gale – 6 min drive
- Praia do Evaristo – 6 min drive
- Praia do Castelo – 7 min drive
- Praia dos Arrifes – 10 min drive
- Praia de Sao Rafael – 10 min drive
We hope you enjoyed our very quick guide to staying in Vale de Parra in the Algarve, along with our recommendations & tips.
Let us know if you’re planning to stay there or if you’ve been before – we’d especially love any more restaurant recommendations or reviews that we could add to the list!
& if you have any questions feel free to comment below & we’ll do our best to answer them!
Other posts about Portugal you might like:
- How To Spend One Day In Silves, Portugal
- How To Get To Praia dos Arrifes Beach (Albufeira, Algarve)
- Is It Worth Renting A Car in The Algarve?
- Praia Da Vigia, Albufeira: How To Find This Secret Beach
- Albufeira Marina: Things To Do & Complete Guide
SAVE THIS MINI-GUIDE TO VALE DE PARRA, PORTUGAL📌
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