Holidays in Alcantarilha

Holidays in Alcantarilha feel a million miles away from the busier resorts along the coast. Tuck yourself away here and imagine that you've escaped from the 21st century too, for staying in this little Moorish village is like stepping into a time capsule.

Narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses snake up the hill towards the bell-towered church, their terracotta tiles glowing warmly in the sunshine. In the calm of the morning, elderly men congregate at the cafes to chat and contemplate. Women pause on the doorstep to pass the time of day. It's not all pleasantries here though, for Alcantarilha has one gory claim to fame. The Chapel of Bones is aptly named, for one of its walls is inlaid with 1500 human skulls.

However you needn't forgo 21st century attractions completely on your summer holiday in Alcantarilha. For one of the largest waterparks in Portugal is a few kilometres away, and the performing dolphins at Zoomarine are an easy drive. For beaches, look no further than the swathes of golden sand at Armacao De Pera or Senhora da Rocha, and the charms and restaurants of Carvoeiro are within easy striking distance. Prefer to eat closer to home? No problem, for there's a handful of Portuguese restaurants in the village.

With a cluster of modern villas, a self-catering holiday in Alcantarilha works well. Join the ebb and flow of local life in the shops and markets, then dine al fresco on your private, peaceful terrace alongside a delicious pool in the early evening sunshine.

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