Holiday homes in Portugal with pools: great-value holidays with family and friends

Villas Barrocal in Pêra is a collection of 60 apartments with one, two and three bedrooms. Each has a balcony and terrace, as well as a private garden, so it’s ideal for a blissful and sunshine-soaked summer holiday by the beach. Units at Villas Barrocal also come with access to two pools for refreshing swims – one for the adults and another for the children.

All these Algarve apartments have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi and fully equipped kitchens (including a dishwasher) for whipping up homemade meals with minimal fuss.

You’ll also find a snack bar in the grounds serving breakfast and light bites, along with a self-service laundry room, a tennis court and a playroom for the kids.

And don’t forget those trips to the beach! You can bask on the sand for as long as you want as Grande de Pêra Beach is just two minutes away by car, or five minutes by bike, from Villas Barrocal. For birdwatching – and more cycling – the Lagoa dos Salgados nature reserve is a two-minute drive.

3HB Falésia Mar, sitting on the idyllic Falésia Beach in Olhos d’Agua, is just a few minutes away from Albufeira.

This complex is made up of apartments, each with a kitchenette, a bedroom, a living room and a bathroom. Choose from three options: a standard apartment, an apartment with a side sea view ​​or an apartment with a sea view. The hotel also has a pool bar, an indoor bar and a playground, along with a video games room and a massage area. It puts on daily entertainment, too.

During the mornings and afternoons, relax by the adults’ pool, take a refreshing dip in the water or supervise the kids in the children’s pool. Or take advantage of the loungers and soak up the sun while a gentle breeze washes over you.

As the day draws to a close, explore the surrounding postcard-worthy village of Olhos d’Agua. The hotel is set just a few metres from its fantastic restaurants, bars and traditional shops.

Capitalmoura MouraGolf Village is a complex of 50 duplexes less than five minutes by car from the centre of Vilamoura. Bring family or friends along for a holiday here: the two-storey units fit up to four adults and two children.

All the duplexes have a TV, a fireplace, two sofas, air-conditioning and a dining table. They also come with a well-equipped kitchen – including a fridge, gas stove, microwave, kettle and toaster – for making quick and light summer bites. Lie back on the sun loungers next to the sparkling outdoor pool, moving over to the manicured garden for laid-back evenings.

For those who want to hone their swing while in the Algarve, Capitalmoura MouraGolf Village is right next to Dom Pedro Old Course – the first of its kind in Vilamoura. It’s also just five minutes away from the Vilamoura Golf Academy and the Millenium, Pinhal, Laguna and Victoria courses.

Millennium Golf Residences offers fully equipped apartments set in Vilamoura, just 3km from Vilamoura Marina. For a warm-weather break in the Algarve to suit a small family or two couples, choose between one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom apartments (both of which are furnished with twin beds and a double bed).

All holiday homes here have a dishwasher, a washing machine and a microwave, as well as a fridge, electric oven and hob. There’s also a kettle and coffee machine for your morning cuppas. With air-conditioning, a flatscreen TV and free Wi-Fi, these spaces have plenty of amenities to help you have a restful and peaceful break.

The top amenities, however, include the outdoor pool, garden and terrace – great for enjoying easy-going moments in the sun. For days when you feel like taking a dip in the sea, Falésia Beach is just 4km away.

Cabanas Gardens by My Choice Algarve in Cabanas de Tavira is a holiday complex with modern apartments near Ria Formosa. It’s just 10 minutes away from Tavira and 20 minutes from Monte Gordo in the Algarve.

Select from several types of accommodation here, including a one-bedroom duplex, a one-bedroom duplex overlooking the garden or pool, and a two-bedroom penthouse. Whatever the number of rooms you opt for, all the apartments are furnished and have air-conditioning and a balcony. Prep your own food during your stay – the kitchen has a microwave, oven and fridge, as well as a dishwasher and coffee machine.

To spread out in the sun, head to the outdoor swimming pool and rest on the wide surrounding lawns. More interested in the coast? Don’t miss Cabanas Beach, reachable on a short three-minute walk to the pier. For golfers, there are 18-hole golf courses just a five-minute drive from Cabanas Gardens.

Quinta da Barroca is in Queimada, Armamar, in the Douro Wine Region. The estate has two double rooms and nine villas – so it’s just right for a restful holiday with family or a group of friends.

The villas each include a kitchenette and a private terrace. Put your feet up outdoors while admiring the magnificent panoramas of the surrounding landscape, dotted with vineyards and traditional schist houses.

For extra-memorable moments, the estate organises experiences like hiking, cycling, farming activities and tennis. Alternatively, simply stop for a while at the outdoor pool in the property’s gardens. There’s also a Jacuzzi, sauna and gym, along with a games room featuring snooker and table football. A reading room, bar and restaurant round out the facilities.

Nestled on the Alentejo’s southeast coast near Vila Nova de Milfontes, Monte do Zambujeiro is a countryside complex spanning more than 70 hectares. As it’s surrounded by the Mira River, cork oaks and centenary trees, you’ll be right in the middle of nature while staying at one of its holiday homes or suites.

If you’re after a leisurely summer break in the Alentejo, Monte do Zambujeiro offers just that in a setting known for its peaceful atmosphere, comfortable facilities and hospitality.

The holiday homes (a couple of two-bedroom units and three one-bedroom units) are set right in front of the outdoor saltwater pool with soul-stirring views over the Mira River. Casa do Rio, a deluxe suite, and the Casa da Charca Suites are set in different buildings and all the accommodations have fully equipped kitchens. Whichever space they stay in, guests also have access to the saltwater pool, as well as the other parts of this rural complex.

Pinheiros da Balaia is in Albufeira set in a quiet yet convenient location just 800 metres from the tourist centre. It overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and is 3km from Santa Eulália Beach.

At this resort, choose between two types of double-storey villas – two-bedroom villas for four people and two-bedroom villas for six people – for a summer trip with friends or family.

These holiday homes feature rooms with balconies and each has a modern and fully equipped kitchen (with a dishwasher, washing machine, fridge, oven, microwave, toaster and electric kettle). But perhaps the best part? The bathroom includes a Jacuzzi to help you take your break to the next level.

The villas also have their own patios with a garden and private barbecue for hanging out.

During your stay at this resort, spend days taking dips in the fantastic pool, enjoying a drink from the bar on one of the sun loungers and savouring the delicious dishes prepared by the Pinheiros da Balaia restaurant.

Monte do Giestal is a peaceful complex on the Alentejo coast in Cova do Gato, Abela. With 10 villas featuring one or two bedrooms, it’s an excellent option whether you’re travelling as a couple, a family or a group of friends.

Each air-conditioned unit here has a fully equipped and ready-to-use kitchen for cooking up your own meals. If the nights are chilly, stoke up the fireplace and listen to the wood crackling amid the silence of the area.

When the temperature rises during the day, the outdoor pool is a wonderful spot for a cooling dip. For a truly relaxing holiday, book an appointment at Monte do Giestal Spa and recharge your batteries in the infrared sauna, steam bath and relaxation room.