Description
Casa de Peixinhos (pronounced ‘pay-she-nyoosh’) meaning ‘House of Little Fishes’ is a two-bedroomed property on the island of Armona. It sleeps two adults and two young children.
Armona is an idyllic spot off the coast of the Algarve, known for its many kilometres of unspoiled beaches. It’s the perfect getaway, especially if you want a low-key and chilled holiday experience.
You get to Armona by ferry from Olhão, which is an old fishing port a few miles east of Faro. Taxis from Faro airport to Olhão take 15 – 20 minutes (ask to be dropped off at the ferry).
In summer ferries leave regularly from Olhão to Armona and cost a couple of euros. In winter the schedule dwindles, but a journey across will inevitably be accompanied by locals who are returning to the island having done their weekly shop at Pingo Doce, a large supermarket near the ferry.
Casa de Peixinhos is a simple but tastefully decorated little cottage and is fifteen paces from the beach. It has a double bedroom and a children's bedroom with bunk beds and is ideal for a couple, or a young family seeking a simple, peaceful vacation. The children's bedroom also doubles as an office for those who want to work while away.
The kitchen is fully equipped for self-catering, with a BBQ and outside shower on the small patio area at the back of the house. The bathroom has a wet-room-style rainforest shower and a washing machine.
The roof terrace, with its wonderful views across the sea to the mainland, is great for sunbathing and alfresco dining. When it's hot, the front veranda with its sea view, provides welcome shade.
Conveniently situated close to the island's hub, the house is within easy reach of the ferry, two shops ('Peres' and Auria's) and five café/bar/restaurants (A III, Pariadise, Carlos', Kallina's and Tolinhas).
The nearby beach ‘Praia da Armona Ría’ is the first you see as you arrive on the island and the water in this tidal lagoon is warm, calm, and shallow - perfect for swimming and for children to paddle and play in. It’s protected by lifeguards from May/June which makes it even safer.
On the south side of the island is the Atlantic coast with its long sandy beach ‘Praia da Armona Mar’, considered to be one of the best beaches in the Algarve. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from one side of the island to the other and the bougainvillea blossoms and scent of pine trees make this a very pleasurable stroll. Once there, the beach is accessed via a ten-minute walk along a boardwalk. In the summer the beach is busy where the lifeguards are stationed, but walk for a few minutes and you’ll start to enjoy miles of quiet creamy-white sands. The further you go the emptier it becomes and the more privacy and isolation you’ll find. Go far enough and it begins to feel like you’re alone on a desert island.
You can stop off on the way there for a cocktail, a cold beer, or lunch at one of the two bars/cafes at that end of the island. The first, just before the boardwalk, is ‘Lanacosta’, a restaurant famous for its seafood and shellfish dishes. The ‘Camaleão’ is at the other end of the boardwalk and is virtually on the beach. There you can chill with a cold beer or wine, or eat a very pleasant lunch right on the sands. The Camaleão also rents sun beds with parasols to provide welcome shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Lovingly restored, Casa de Peixinhos is our home from home, and we're very glad to welcome you to share it with us.
Chris and Wendy