For more pictures of the area (with distances from our apartment) click here
The local shops, restaurants and pubs are just 3 minutes walk away including a grocery store which has the usual essentials, like fresh bread, milk, newspapers, fruit and vegetables, wine and beer etc. There is a market in Carvoeiro and ATM cash machines are widely available. A number of large supermarkets are within 5 miles.
We have the perfect blend of a quiet setting, with access to restaurants and nightlife in Carvoeiro. However this is not Albufeira! That busy center of Algarve tourism is about 25 minutes east by car.
Centianes Sol is located in the village of Vale Centianes, 2 km from Carvoeiro in the heart of the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. Carvoeiro is a small port and tourist center 5 miles east of Portimao, about 40 minutes drive from Faro Airport.
Although a car is a distinct advantage, all the 
necessary facilities are a walk away from the apartment. So it is possible to have a great time without having to drive, at least for part of your vacation. Our Property Manager can organize a car for you at very competitive rates, to be collected at the airport or his office.
There are a number of ways to get to Vale Centianes. The most direct is to fly into Faro and hire a car for the 50 minute drive. Taxis or minibus from the airport is between 40 and 60 Euros per person. You can also fly into Lisbon and take a bus to Lagoa (4 miles from the apartment) or rent a car and drive down the Lisbon-Algarve highway. This is a toll highway taking about 3 hours.
North American flights often involve changes in Europe, however Air Transat, 
TAP (Portuguese Airline) and Continental fly direct to Portugal from North America. There are numerous daily flights to Faro from most airports in England and from other European cities at surprisingly low fares.
Walking and Driving Times
Anywhere in the Algarve is within 90 minutes driving time. The mountain areas north of the Algarve are half an hour. The Spanish border is 90 minutes drive and Seville approximately 3 1/2 hours. There are very reasonable day trip excursions available to Seville and Gibraltar.
- Carvoeiro: 30 minutes walking by road or 45 minutes over the cliffs.
- Local shops, restaurants and pubs 3 minutes walk
- Beach: 5 minutes walk down the steps adjacent to the cliff
- Supermarkets: 8 minutes drive.
- Lagoa (local town): 12 minutes drive.
- Portimao: 20 minutes drive.
- Lisbon: 3 hours drive.
- Faro airport: 50 minutes drive.
Beaches
We have just about the most beautiful beach in the area right here, less than 5 minutes walk away. When the sun is out It is usually hot on the beach even if it is cool and breezy on the cliff. Its sheltered position makes it a lovely spot to spend the day. We usually pack a lunch and settle in for most of the day. The beach is perfect for swimming, tanning, or just listening to the waves.
Don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy the beach in the evenings—one of our favourite things to do. It’s a great time to enjoy 
the drama of 
the waves roaring up the empty beach under the stars.
You will appreciate our beach umbrellas on a hot day as sun is very strong, especially at midday, even in winter.
To the east are 4 other beaches you may want to try: Carvalho at Club Atlantico, Benegil, Marinha and Albandeira. They are all within a few minutes’ drive. Of these, Benegil is our favourite. It’s a nice change being smaller and a little more secluded, and it still operates as a working fishing village.
Other beautiful beaches are on the west coast about 45 
minutes dri
ve away.