Our lovely holiday cottage on the beautiful island of Armona gives you every opportunity to totally relax. Situated in 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 out of season and lively during July and August, Armona offers an unforgettable holiday experience whatever the season….

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. Most of these homes have been passed down through the years and many are used only in the months of July and August when the owners arrive from all over Portugal to spend a month or so by the seaside. In these months Armona shows a different side of its character and 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 while the warm sea invites swimmers and sunbathers. There is so much beach that there is always plenty of space to sunbathe or to enjoy walking on the sand and jumping into the sea to cool off. The ferry side of the island is alive with sunbathers and swimmers, but as you walk across to the far side, the island quietens down. When you reach the fantastic Atlantic bay there is so much space it would be impossible to fill it and the sea is so clear and beautiful to swim in.

Out of high season Armona goes back to sleep and is a peaceful hideaway ideal for nature lovers and birdwatchers. In the winter it is totally tranquil, with only 3 ferries a day.

Armona is a narrow island and our cottage is situated close to the Atlantic Ocean to the south. It is reached by a 15minute walk from the ferry, along a paved walkway that runs across the island.

This is a pleasure to experience, with beautiful mimosa trees and other plants all around and different styles of attractive holiday homes to look at. 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, we use it a lot ourselves, so it’s not just a ‘holiday rental’ and has a well equipped kitchen and generally most items you may need. We have a 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 log fire for cooler evenings. we have a fully fitted kitchen and there are three bedrooms, one with a king sized bed, one with a double bed and one with a single bed

Outside there is a covered terrace with lovely views back to the coast, and a small wooded area. We have neighbours either side of us, but the way the houses are built gives you plenty of privacy to enjoy your holiday.

Olhão is a lively fishing port, 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 every hour in summer, but stop at 8pm. It is a great idea to go for lunch in Olhão and then take the ferry back to relax on the beach in the sun. Evening time finds people strolling between the cafes, having a drink, and perhaps making new friends whilst watching the sun go down.

Important Island Extras

Island life is simple as mentioned earlier. Entertainment on Armona is very 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

bars and generally watching the world go by. It is an unsophisticated place where you need to make your own entertainment, but if you enjoy chatting in a cafe, swimming sunbathing and strolling down to the bay to watch the sun go down you will enjoy Armona.

If you are looking for a holiday where you will be entertained by water sports and banana boats with discos at night, you will be disappointed. It’s not a place to get dressed up at night and go dancing. The main items of clothing are beachwear and flip flops, although of course it’s always possible to spend an evening in Olhao!

Aerial View of Armona’s Western tip, showing our cottage.

The island continues on towards the East for several kms. It is completely undeveloped there and is part of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve.

For a restful de-stressing holiday by the sea, I believe it is hard to find better. Life is so relaxed and the beach is wonderful. Armona never fails to put me under its spell whatever time of year I’m there.