Armona Island Cottage

Our lovely holiday cottage on the beautiful island of Armona gives you every opportunity to totally relax in summer, or to birdwatch and beachcomb in the cooler months. Situated within the Ria Formosa National Park and surrounded by sandy beaches and warm shallow bays with crystal clear seawater, Armona lies in the far south of the Algarve. Deeply tranquil in winter and lively during the summer, Armona offers an unforgettable holiday experience whatever the season….

Please email me lesley@algarvedays.com for any booking details

Click on any image to expand

Our cottage is one of a group of houses situated on the Western side of Armona. Although a few people live year round on the island, the majority of houses are traditional holiday homes built for Portuguese families in the 50’s and 60’s. Many are used only in the months of July and August when the owners arrive from all over Portugal to spend a month by the seaside. In these months Armona becomes a lively holiday island. However our cottage, close to the wide Atlantic Bay, remains peaceful whatever the season.

In August the cafés and restaurants are full of families chatting and eating whilst the warm sea invites swimmers and sunbathers.. As you walk across the island it quietens down and when you reach the fantastic Atlantic bay the sandy beach stretches into distance and the sea is crystal clear.

Out of high season Armona goes back to sleep and is a peaceful hideaway ideal for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Many different types of birds can be seen there, not to mention marine life and also chameleons. In the winter it is totally tranquil, with only 3 ferries a day.

From the main pathway, there are many little tracks that lead you down into yet another cluster of houses, beautifully cared for and lovingly renovated. No motorised vehicles are allowed on the island, which enhances the peaceful ambience.

Our house is comfortably furnished and has a well equipped kitchen with generally most items you may need. We have a flatscreen TV, a dvd player complete with a selection of dvd’s and a small library if you want to relax and read on the sun terrace.

Our living area includes a fire for cooler evenings and there are three bedrooms, one with a king sized bed, one double and one with a single bed

Outside there is a covered terrace with lovely views back to the coast, and a small wooded area visited by hoopoes and other birds . We have neighbours either side of us, but the way the houses are built gives you plenty of privacy to enjoy your holiday. Our Portuguese neighbours tend to visit only in the summer and are quiet and very friendly.

Olhão is only a ferry ride away and is full of cafés and restaurants. It has a beautiful promenade and a fantastic selection of fish and seafood is available from its well stocked market. Saturday mornings are a not to be missed treat; the streets are thronged with people selling and buying local produce and the colourful gypsy market offers all sorts of bargains.

Ferries back to the mainland run regularly, up to every hour in summer, but stop at 8pm but water taxis run 24 hours a day and are a fun way to travel across the bay. Evening time finds people strolling between the cafes and having a drink, whilst watching the sun go down.

Island life is simple . Entertainment on Armona is low key. The holidaymakers are mainly Portuguese and it’s a true family getaway. Usually they enjoy themselves strolling around the island, having a drink in the bar and generally watching the world go by.

On Armona you make your own entertainment. The main items of clothing are beachwear and flip flops, and perhaps a pair of jeans and shirt for the evenings. If you enjoy chatting in a cafe, swimming sunbathing and strolling down to the bay to watch the sun go down over a few drinks, you will enjoy Armona. If you want to birdwatch, and enjoy marine life and walks on the beach, Armona is fantastic in Spring and Autumn when you often have the beach to yourself and can enjoy many species of wading and seabirds.