A Weekend In: The Algarve, Portugal

Travel

Exterior view of the Viceroy at Ombria Algarve luxury resort and golf course.

A Weekend at Viceroy at Ombria Algarve at a Glance

Location: The Algarve, Portugal
Perfect for: Intimate getaways, multi-generational families, golf enthusiasts, wellness seekers, and corporate groups looking for a true connection to the regional culture and heritage.
On-property highlights: On-property highlights: The Spa by Viceroy at Ombria Algarve, a signature golf course with clubhouse, four pools, V Teams Kids Club, and six dining experiences including Ombria Kitchen, Casa E Fora Bar & Terrace, Solalua, Cafe Central, Salpico Pool Bar, as well as in-room dining.
Nearby: the historic town of Loulé, the village of Querença, and Ancão Beach.

A Weekend in the Algarve's Hidden Heart: A 3-Day Itinerary at Viceroy at Ombria Algarve

The air changes as you turn inland. The scent of salt and sea gives way to the fragrance of citrus groves and ancient fig trees, and the sound of waves is replaced by the peaceful lull of the Portuguese countryside. The busy Algarve coast is a memory now as you settle into a destination all its own. This is your journey to a serene village retreat tucked away in the rolling green hills of Southern Portugal. This is your journey to Viceroy at Ombria Algarve.

Life slows beautifully here. It meanders along cobblestone paths, rests by a sparkling pool, lives vividly in the stillness of nature that surrounds you. Designed for those craving a genuine connection to something more—to flavor, to nature, and to culture—Viceroy at Ombria Algarve reveals the authentic stories of the land one moment at a time and invites you to craft your own, with this three-day Algarve itinerary as your guide.

Day 1: Arrival and Escape

Arriving at Viceroy at Ombria Algarve feels less like checking into a hotel and more like coming home to a place you have longed to know. Whitewashed houses cluster together, connected by quiet pathways that lead you to your hillside retreat. Stepping into your room is like stepping into a celebration of local artistry. Inside, finishings are thoughtful and impressive: blue Portuguese tile accents, exposed wood-beam ceilings, and Azulejo tiles lining walls built from traditional taipa (rammed earth). From your terrace, an unfolding view of the Algarve hills and citrus groves, and on the bed, a soft Burel blanket—made from the wool of Serra de Estrela sheep—invites you to linger a while before deciding what’s next.

Woman enjoying food and drinks in the Lobby

Once settled, make your way to the pool, find a quiet chaise or sink into the shade of a cabana with a good book, and discover Salpico, the poolside restaurant whose name fittingly translates to “splash.” As the afternoon sun warms your skin, order a platter of fresh oysters and surrender to the feeling of having nowhere else to be.

Save room for authentic Portuguese comfort food at Ombria Kitchen. Just as the kitchen is the heart of the home, Ombria Kitchen is the heart of ours. Expansive views and colorful, ceramic tableware handmade by artist Madalena Telo set the stage for a menu that tells the story of the region. Consider starting with artisanal rustic bread, an indispensable part of any Portuguese table, alongside traditional algarvian carrots, marinated olives with citrus, and local olive oil. Follow this with the clams “Bulhão Pato,” a traditional Portuguese dish named for the poet, then the Barrocal chouriço. It comes flame-grilled at the table with medronho firewater, and cod fritters with tomato jam.

Day 2: Golf, Historic Loulé, and a Journey Inward

Some are drawn to the Algarve’s world-class greens and perfect year-round climate. If that’s you, spend the morning getting to know our 18-hole, GEO-certified golf course, recently named the Best New Golf Course at the prestigious World Golf Awards. The landmark course integrates perfectly with the unspoilt, rolling landscape, offering a game that is as much about connecting with nature as it is about the sport itself. You’re truly playing the land as the course weaves its way through its stunning setting—centuries-old trees, rolling hills, precisely contoured fairways, and greens that harmonize with the terrain. Each hole reveals a unique challenge and a breathtaking panorama.

Peace, tranquility, and stillness come easy here at Viceroy at Ombria Algarve. Wellness is a way of life here, threaded into quiet moments. The spa alone might require a day (or two). It’s a sanctuary you won’t want to leave. Intimate spa rooms that open into private outdoor relaxation alcoves allow you to breathe deeply to take in your surroundings. Inhale the delicate scent of white of almond blossoms often meets the uplifting aroma of citrus groves and fig trees in the air. Every experience is a ritual here, even if it's just a pause. Detoxify with some time in the herbal steam room, and feel the stress melt away in the calming thermal pool. Try an Algarvian sea salt foot scrub, a Finnish sauna, an age-defying facial, or yoga bathed by the glow of the full moon. Or opt for an intensive deep tissue treatment and stretching to release muscular tension from the morning’s golf.

Coined from the words ‘Sun to Moon’ in Portuguese, Solalua tapas and wine bar is named after the rhythm of the day. Six-course tasting menu, golden hour aperitifs, lively sunset gatherings. Here you can sample small bites from acclaimed chef Pedro Pinto long into the night. Every plate here tells a story, ones we’re always keen to soak up. Start with octopus from Santa Luzia followed by no fewer than two versions of Bolas de Berlim, a traditional pillowy Portuguese doughnut you’d find as a summer treat on a beach. Try the savory Crab Berliner, then finish with the goat milk ice cream, lavender and toasted honey and tangerine version for dessert. Behind the bar, you’ll find equally enticing flavors: from the muscatel, fig leaf, fig, and prickly pear of ‘To Figs You’, to the medronho firewater, honey, curry plant, and lemon notes of ‘Bee Natural’.

Day 3: Wild Algarvian Landscapes and a Final Taste of Portugal

Begin the day with a relaxing lymphatic treatment to prepare for your travels followed by some time in the spa’s heated indoor pools for a leisurely swim or a few laps. Linger on a chaise in a private outdoor relaxation alcove to take it all in—the lush rolling hills, citrus groves, and the stillness.

Under the warm morning sun, head to the nearby village of Salir where you’re welcomed by Natalie, a passionate expert trainer who cares for a group of rescued horses, each with their own story. From there it’s a gentle ride through winding trails, open fields, and sunlit countryside. Or step into the world of the honeybee as José guides you through a hands-on look at the honey-making process from hive to jar. Extract honey straight from the comb, then sample three varieties, thoughtfully paired with local snacks, when you're done.

Explore our 150 hectares of scenic beauty on a Portuguese electric bike. Discover this ancient agricultural site at your own pace, from the trickling lavadas and winding river to orchards that have been here for generations.⁠ Or pedal hidden trails, scenic roads, and discover the natural beauty of the Barrocal Algarvio with cycling guide Nuno, a Portuguese triathlete. With a true passion for cycling and more than 25 years of experience, Nuno brings unrivalled knowledge of the region’s terrain.

To engage all the senses, opt for signature hands-on Viceroy experiences. Feel the softness of warm dough as you reconnect with the ancient traditions of baking and learn the secrets of artisan bread. Experience the smoothness of cool clay shaping beautiful, handmade pieces in a pottery workshop. Both connecting you to the location in profound ways, crafting something with your own hands, learning wisdom passed down through generations.

We’ll leave you on a delicious note, with the smell of freshly baked bread, bites of croissant that melt in your mouth, and the aroma of expertly roasted coffees at Café Central. For something heartier, try a smoked ham, arugula and red onion chutney pizza straight from the fire oven.

Ending Your Weekend In Ombria Algarve

A weekend at Viceroy at Ombria Algarve is an escape from just about everything, from the bustling Algarve coast to whatever hint of ordinary life remains after your time here. It is a connection forged over the smoky flavor of chicken piri-piri, in the quiet dark gazing up at a spellbinding sky, and amidst groves of fragrant almond and ancient carob trees. It’s the gentle pause you didn’t know you needed. The perfect welcome to the easy rhythm of the Algarvian countryside. Here between the hills and the sea Viceroy connects you to the soul of the region and eases you into Algarvian ways. This Algarve Portugal itinerary is just the beginning of a story few have seen. A story that’s about to be yours.

Start planning your escape to the Algarve today.