About Parque da Corcovada Holiday Complex

Parque da Corcovada is a 5 star holiday complex located on the east side of Albufeira. Completed in January 2008, it is rated as one of the finest self catering resort complexes in the entire Algarve. What sets Parque da Corcovada out from the rest is the combination of traditionally styled low rise accommodation and state of the art modern facilities. Add to this the spacious low density feel and the superb location in Albufeira in the central Algarve and you have the perfect ingredients for almost any type of Algarve holiday.


View from central pool to 2nd floor apartment in Block 38

Location: Parque da Corcovada is a convenient 30 minute drive from Faro airport (30 Euro taxi fare), located just off of the north exit of the Globe roundabout in the eastern Albufeira area of Montechorro. Albufeira is the most central seaside resort town in the Algarve, providing a base from which the whole of the Algarve and its wonderful mountain hinterland can easily be reached. In less than one hour one can drive across the main Algarve highway - stretching from the lush coastal plains of the eastern Algarve and the Spanish border to the rugged western coast and the most westerly point of Europe's mainland at Cape St Vincent. Of course a car is not a neccessity as there is a good public transport network of buses and trains, taxis are inexpensive and there are plenty of well organised local excursions available at very reasonable prices.



Corcovada Club bar-restaurant terrace



Corcovada Club pool

Parque da Corcovada has superb facilities: these include a concierge/reception providing information about the complex facilities and where organised excursions can be booked; the fabulous Corcovada Club, offering great value lunches and snacks, bar, internet access, games machines (pool, table football), a children's play area, outdoor pool described by guests as 'wonderful for children' and mini golf; eight private swimming pools for guests, set in beautiful landscaped gardens; plentiful guest car parking (for those with hire cars); 24 hour security guard patrol; a wide range of complex shops, including; pizzeria, car hire, hairdresser/beautician and DVD movie hire store.    

Globe roundabout

Local facilities: Parque da Corcovada is just 10 minutes walk from the nearest beach, Praia d'Oura and 15 minutes from St Eulalia beach. Both are fabulous wide, fine golden sand beaches which are exceptionally clean, safe and universally recognised as amongst the Algarve's most attractive beaches. Within a couple of minutes walk are a vast range of shops, bars and restaurants and for those in search of exciting nightlife the famous 'Strip' is just a 5 minute stroll or stagger away. There are also plenty of lively local bars offering live sports, covering all the English Premier League, rugby, F1, golf events etc. We would recommend the Diamond Bar (first right turn after crossing the Globe roundabout down St Eulalia drive) for covering all live sports.

Oura beach - a 10 minute stroll

Shops: when you arrive the first thing you may want to do - other than have a beer - is to find a local supermarket and get some provisions in. Fortunately, Parque da Corcovada has at least 3 food stores within 5 minutes walk. The closest is a mini market across the road, where you can get all the basics you require. However, we highly recommend crossing the Globe roundabout as there are two excellent supermarkets along St Eulalia drive. These supermakets offer good value for money and have a wide range of products, including many English foodstuffs (e.g. PG Tips and Cornflakes). Try the delicious local bakery products and look out for the special offers which often include pineapples for less than a Euro, cold meats and cheeses at very respectable prices and of course the great value local wines and beers!     

Shops and cafes at Parque da Corcovada

Restaurants and bars: there is an abundance of choice of restaurants within 5-10 minutes walk to suit all tastes, including; tasty local fish cuisine, various Italian and continental style restaurants, an American diner, Indian eat in or takeaway, Chinese, Mexican and steak speciality restaurants. There are also some wonderful cake and coffee shops, as the Portuguese love their afternoon cake breaks. Some of our favourite restaurants include: Enzo's where the Italian chef - who used to cook for the Ferrari F1 team - cooks a superb range of authentic pasta and meat dishes; and Eduardo's - surely the best value restaurant anywhere in the Algarve - where Eduardo your Angolan host will beguile you with his charming company and stories. Diners return trip after trip to these superb, long established restaurants. For those who like a steak, 'Sizzling Stone' offers an unusual and fun eating experience.

Corcovada Club, bar, restaurant and internet facilities  

Golf Courses:  there are 8 excellent top class golf courses within a short driving distance, including Oceanic Victoria which staged the 2009 Portugal Masters. The attractive and highly rated Balaia par 3 course is also within 1 km. We have forged a very successful relationship with John Jones - the 'Mr Golf' of the Algarve - at Aim 4 Golf  (http://www.linksgolfportugal.com/). He is able to offer individually tailored discounted golf arrangements (e.g. tee times, discounted rounds/blocks of rounds, free transportation etc., at all levels of courses).  John has decades of experience in organising Algarve trips and can offer outstanding tailor made packages to suit any golfer or golf group.

Albufeira Bull Ring - 5 minutes walk

Special interest activities: the central location of Parque da Corcovada at Albufeira provides excellent access to the wider Algarve hinterland for those interested in history, culture, mountain and coastal landscapes, bird watching, sealife and wildlife, horse riding, walking and trekking. It is also possible to arrange day trips and excursions further afield to Seville, Lisbon and Gibralter. For keen water sports enthusiasts Albufeira Marina offers a wide variety of activities, whilst also offering boat hire/excursions to explore secluded coves, seafari expeditions and sunset cruises. The largest shopping centre on the coast, the appropriately named 'Algarve Shopping', is located just outside of Albufeira. Theme parks such as ZooMarine and Slide & Splash are within 20 minutes drive. There is a local market every second Tuesday where you can purchase anything from local delicacies to clothing, including the local speciality cork clothing and products.

Corcovada Club children's play area

Corcovada Club games





About Our Apartments

My wife Carol and I own and rent out two deluxe 1 bedroom apartments in the prestigious 5 star Parque da Corcovada complex in Albufeira, central Algarve. We were fortunate enough to purchase an apartment in this sought after complex at the off-plan stage back in 2006. When the complex was completed in early 2008 such was our delight with the quality and spacious design of the apartment that we were soon tempted to purchase another at the earliest opportunity in Spring 2009.

Parque da Corcovada large central pool, looking towards 'Eulalia' apartment, Block 38

Both apartments were chosen for their prime second floor locations, affording beautiful views from their large south facing balconies and with easy access to private communal swimming pools and landscaped gardens. These fully air conditioned apartments are superbly decorated, furnished and equipped and really feel like the ultimate home from home – we certainly never want to go home after a stay in them! There are comfortable large brown leather and red velvet sofas and sofabeds, where one can relax and take in glorious panoramic views or some satellite television on our flat screens. For those who like cooking, our superb state of the art beech and marble kitchens have every conceivable utensil, including coffee and tea makers, juicers, microwaves, gas and electric hobs, ovens and grills. There are also large fridge freezers, dishwashers and washer-dryers.

Large living room at 'Eulalia' apartment, Block 38

Our 'Eulalia' apartment is centrally located in Block 38 overlooking and with access to the complex's large central swimming pools and gardens and is an extremely popular part of Parque da Corcovada. The apartment is sunny and bright and surprisingly spacious with the largest dining/living space we have ever encountered on our travels, plenty of room for the two large, three-seater, sofabeds and a dining table which can seat 6. There is a separate kitchen, complete with table and chairs, a sizeable bedroom and a squeaky clean swish bath/shower room. Both the living room and the bedroom have large balconies with smart raffia table and chairs providing an excellent area for alfresco dining and sundowners. The reception hall, complete with videocom entry, is again very spacious (where one guest comfortably parked their mobility chair). There is also a large cupboard which comes in handy for storing golf clubs, blow-up beds and childrens’ toys - of which we have a large collection.

Sea and open countryside view from 'Olhos' apartment, Block 37

Our ‘Olhos’ apartment is located in the quieter Block 37, with outstanding views across open countryside and out to sea – to the coast of Olhos de Agua (the ‘eye of the water’). This apartment is also very spacious and is every bit a match for ‘Eulalia’. Slight differences include two, three-seater, brown leather sofas (one a sofabed), a 32 inch flat screen satellite television and DVD player. There is a large kitchen hatch (with wooden shutters) providing an open plan feel for those who like to cook and socialise. The apartment is very light and bright and, being south east oriented, affords wonderful un-obscured sunrise views. 

In order to provide a more detailed feel for both apartments, here is a short presentation of photographs for each apartment, so that you get a walk through feel for each. For further information please visit our Owners Direct listing (http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/portugal/p6706.htm).

'Eulalia' Apartment, Block 38:

Living room

Kitchen

Bathroom sink

'Olhos' Apartment, Block 37:

Living room

Kitchen hatch to living room

Bedroom

Bathroom

Pools view from balcony

Parque da Corcovada Site Map

Probably the most frequently asked question from prospective guests is where are Blocks 37 and 38?
Our response is that we chose our apartments in order to get the best locations within the complex.

Apartment 38 is direct South facing and has a very sunny aspect. It has access to the central pools, which have proved very popular with guests.

Apartment 37 is South East facing and also has a very sunny aspect, particularly in the mornings. It is in a quieter part of the complex, with its own private pools and gardens and superb views over open countryside and out to sea.

As you will see from the Parque da Crocovada site plan below our apartments and their respective pool areas - marked in orange - clearly benefit from close proximity to pools, are not directly overlooked and are not close to any noisy roads. For those wanting to locate these apartments in relation to the Globe roundabout, this is just off the top of the map at the top right corner, just up from the mini roundabout on the right of the map.

Access to Pools

A frequent question relates to access and use of pools at the Parque da Corcovada complex. The answer is that apartment blocks only have access to their own private pool areas. Blocks 38 to 40 are the only ones that can access and use the central pools. Similarly, only Block 37 can use the quiet private pools for this particular block. All block pool areas contain adult and shallow children's pools. Additionally, there is the pool area at the Corcovada Club, which is available to all guests and is a popular area for those with young children, as it also has children's play areas.


Pools Pictures at Block 37

We are often asked about the private pools and gardens at Block 37, as they are relatively unknown to the rest of the complex - which we think makes them quite special. As you can see from the balcony shot from the living room at our Block 37 apartment, the pools are close by, and provide a very family friendly environment.

Pools at Block 38

The private central pools and gardens, which are exclusively for the us guests staying at Block 38, 39 and 40, are highly sought after (and are often, misleadingly, used to promote the complex as a whole).
Our second floor deluxe one bedroom apartment in Block 38 is direct South facing and overlooks the central pools and gardens and if you stay here, you will have direct access to these pools.

The pictures below show views from the balcony at our Block 38 apartment towards the central pools. The pictures were taken in October 2011 and as you can see the weather was superb.  The second picture shows the new restaurant and children's play area.

This photo of the central pools shows the smaller shallow children's pool and much lager adult pool, with our Block 38 appartments central in the background (see second floor balconies either side of the red brick kitchen section).