FIRST RESORT
We started our trip at the five-star Pine Cliffs resort, about a 30-minute drive west of Faro. As you might expect from the name, it sits on a cliff top, with mesmerising sea views. The vibe is laid-back luxury; sun loungers are spaced out in the lush gardens, giving you natural shade from the trees, or you can settle beside one of the eight pools - try the one with a swim-up bar if you like a daytime cocktail or the indoor one should you be travelling in the cooler months.
A wooden boardwalk leads down to the wide stretch of golden sand at the bottom of the majestic sandstone cliffs. There are quite a few stairs, but a lift will take you down the steepest part. We started every morning with a beach stroll at sunrise - you can walk for miles.
The resort is also home to tennis and padel courts, a nine-hole golf course - and golf and tennis academies for those wanting lessons - a gym, a spa, a children's play area and an impressive 12 bars and restaurants, covering every cuisine from Japanese to seafood. So if you're looking for a deeply relaxing break with all the amenities you need on your doorstep, you're in the right place.
FOODIE HEAVEN
We dined at six of Pine Cliffs' restaurants during our stay and found both the quality and service to be excellent without exception. One of our favourite meals was at Corda Café, where we feasted on sizzling prawn tacos and a salmon sushi poké bowl in the open patio setting. We also sampled Portuguese-Indian fusion dishes at Rohini, where the fragrant aromas will have your mouth watering before you've even ordered, and tucked into the rich, baked aubergine lasagne in the pretty courtyard of the Italian taverna, Portofino.
This story is from the February 03, 2025 edition of OK! UK.
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This story is from the February 03, 2025 edition of OK! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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