Frequently Asked Questions about our Villa and Location.
If you have a question about anything relevant to Villa Vida Nova, Monchique or the Algarve just send us an email and we will answer it as fully as possible.
What are the advantages of booking direct and not using Booking, AirBnb, etc?
No commission or platform fees saving you 15%-24%, Direct Owner communication right from the start, by email, phone and WhatsApp, no call centres or time wasting "Virtual" chats! Local expertise, Repeat guest benefits! Exclusive disounts at local restaurants. Best Rate Guarantee
We will rent a car for sure can you suggest some road trips to see more of the Algarve?
Absolutely, here are three of the ones that will take you to places not overrun with tourists. Three "Must Do Road Trips" in the Algarve.
Albufeira or Monchique?
Horses for courses! Albufeira is a great destination for the younger crowd who appreciate bars, nightlife and clubs. Beaches can be crowded and restaurants cater for tourists, traffic, pay parking, congestion and polution. Monchique couldn't be more different, evening entertainment evolves around regional fairs, cafés and restaurants who cater for those seeking traditional and authentic Portuguese cuisine, stunning views, fresh air and free parking!
How much do we tip in restaurants?
If the food and service are good then typically 10% NOT more. In a cafe for a beer or coffee there is no obligation or expectation of a tip. Unlike in North America where tipping the servers can be added to your credit card when paying the bill, it cannot be done like this in Portugal, you can pay the bill by card or cash but the tip can only be paid in cash. Typically a tip is 10% not more.
What is the "Cover" in restaurants?
Most restaurants will bring bread and olives to the table as soon as you sit down, this is called the “cover” it is not free, they may also bring mature cheese and or regional ham and sausage if you don't want any or some of it, just make it clear to the waiter what to leave and what to take away.
Which are the best restaurants in Monchique?
Here is a list of the ones that we and our guests recommend, some of them give Villa Vida Nova guests an exclusive discount of 10% off the entire bill.
Do we need to reserve tables in restaurants?
What about toll roads in Portugal?
Make sure your car rental company provides a Toll responder, a little plastic box stuck to the inside of the windscreen. This records road toll fees, and parking lot fees in some places. A few weeks after you have returned the car they will debit your credit card with the total, it may be one total or several smaller amounts.
There are two types of toll roads, gated and fully electronic.
At every on ramp to a highway that has tolls there will be a sign that warns you that it is a fee paying toll road.
The fully electronic ones simply have an overhead gantry and as you drive under it you will hear a beep from the transponder. About 1km before the gantry there will be sign telling you how much the fee is going to be. Whether you have a transponder or not your rental company will bill your credit card at a later date.
The gated ones are different.
If you do not have a transponder proceed to the booths that have a boom and pull a ticket, when you exit the toll road go through the booths with a boom and pay the fee with cash or card.
If you have a transponder then as you approach the toll booths look for the green and white signs above the booths that are Via Verde, the road lanes are also clearly marked, they do not have booms like the pay booths, you just drive straight through and your entry will be automatically recorded. Do not go to the pay booths with booms. Similarly when you take your off ramp you will find Booths, as above go through the Via Verde lane without a boom. You will see how much the fee was on a small screen on your left. Your rental company will charge your card at a later date.
Do I need an International drivers licence to drive in Portugal?
One can rent a car and drive with any valid licence as long as the license is in the written in the English Alphabet also called the Latin Alphabet or the Roman alphabet. Language is unimportant, it can be English, French, Swedish etc. Licences with languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, etc would need to be accompanied by an International Licence which can be obtained easily enough in the country where the licence was issued.
Can you recommend car rental companies?
Is Monchique cooler than the Algarve Coast?
Yes it can be 2 or 3 degrees cooler than the coast because of the altitude. Perfect if you have had enough heat on the beaches and need to relax back at the villa in the afternoon. There are plenty of shady spots too. Away from the coast you will also benefit from almost zero air polution, another bonus! But.... in winter, overnight tempeartures at the villa have never dropped below 5 deg C whereas the coast and low lying areas can drop below zero with abundant frost. If you like Weather Statistics and want to know what to wear, then look no further.
Can we walk to restaurants?
Yes certainly. There are two within 300 meters of the villa, O' Luar da Foia and Teresinha. Dozens more restaurants in the village at about 1.3 -1.6 kms
Do I need to rent a car in Algarve? Is a car essential?
Almost certainly, well anywhere in the Algarve for that matter unless you intend to sit at a pool everyday and go nowhere else. Public transport is, infrequent, unreliable and slow, you will waste most of your vacation walking to it, standing waiting for it or trying to figure it out. Car rental is inexpensive and there is so much to see and do outside your resort or villa!
Which are the best beaches?
There are hundreds, too many to name here, but the south coast has warmer and calmer water, more beach bars and restaurants and a lot more people. The west coast is wild, unspoiled, huge cliffs, huge waves, great for surfing, but cooler water, quaint fishing villages and great seafood restaurants at very reasonble prices. Learn more here
Is Monchique good for Children?
Absolutely. Away from the crowds and distractions, amongst nature, fresh air, peace and quite, local culture what a great way to educate and have quality time with them. Water parks, boat rides and beaches are just a short drive then reteat to the tranquilty of the villa a glass of wine and fire up the BBQ!
Who are the owners of Villa Vida Nova?
Nigel and Beverly find out more about them here.
Do I need a Visa or ETIAS for Portugal?
ETIAS for European Entry, Coming in April 2026 Official European site
An ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) is an electronic screening system for passport holders granted visa-free access to the European Union (EU) and Schengen Area. Once implemented, each and every traveler entering Europe without a visa will need one. Learn more here
We are keen birdwatchers is Monchique a good place to see a variety of birds?
We are on a major migrationroute and so there have been recorded over 360 Species of birds in the Algarve and over 150 species of birds in the area of the Serra da Monchique, I am no expert and have probably seen only half of these on my excursions around here, I have seen over 50 species in the villa gardens.
Is there a Barbeque at the villa?
Yes there is a charcoal Bbq under the shady logia. The local Intermarche supermarket sells charcoal and firelighters. You will find all the BBQ utensills in the kitchen
Is the villa suitable for remote work?
Yes, these days, since 2020 the need has grown and we have several regulars who stay in the shoulder months to simply unwind and relax but also keep on top of work in a less regimented way. With great internet and phone coverage the solitude, peace and quiet make it an Ideal location for singles, couples or even small work teams to regenerate and work at the same time.
What month is the best for Algarve Holidays?
Every month, "literally". The weather is kind all year round! November to April is ideal for golfers and those wishing to escape short daylight hours and feezing temperatures in Northern Europe and North America. July and August for those with childen stiil at school and the remaing months are great for retired and self employed who don't like the heat and crowds of the summer months and enjoy the springtime and fall climate.
Is the pool heated?
No, the pool temperature is goverened by the ambient temperature and is perfect for swimming from the begining of May until the end of Sepember, either side of that it will fine for a quick dip, I am talking adults here, kids are obviously made of rubber and any temperature is just fine!
Is Monchique crowded in the summer?
Sunday lunch time is busy all year round because the whole of Portugal seems to decend on the restaurants here, that's how good they are! The rest of the time you will see plenty of tourists/day trippers from the coast and of course the school holdays are busy for sure, but not the heaving throngs you find on the coast, yes you will get a coffee without lining up and a table in a restaurant, reserve well in advance for Sunday lunch though!
Are Electric vehicles available for rent in Portugal and do you have a charging point at the Villa?
Avoid “All” electric vehicles, they are not suitable for longer distances because charging points are scarce. Hybrids are better but very expensive to rent. Here is a comparison taken from Travelsupermarket.com. Compact car, unlimited mileage free cancellation, Lisbon airport terminal, 1 week in July 2025. Petrol/diesel car €228, Electric €345, Hybrid €424. It is because of the high cost of Electric and Hybrid vehicles, the cost of insuring them and scarcity of charging points that many rental companies are not replacing them in their fleets. After considering this we have decided not to install a charging point at the villa.
Do you provide a welcome pack?
Not anymore. We started out providing a typical welcome pack, bread, butter, milk, tea. coffee, ham, cheese, salt, pepper, juice etc.. Our clients are from different continents, nationalities and cultures and expected items that they were used to, not what we provided. Couple this with Covid recommendations, lactose free, gluten free, peanut free, Vegan, Halal, Kosher and who drinks regular tea anyway, more than half the pack was wasted! Food intolerances have increased dramatically over the last few years so there are also health and liability issues to consider. It was suggested that we provide complimentary wine, guess what, no waste any more and every one is happy!
On that point, we do encourage our guests to place in a basket for the next guests non perishable items rather than throw them out when they leave.
What is the best travel insurance for unvaccinated travellers?
If you are an unvaccinated traveler, it is important to have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 related issues. According to Forbes Advisor, the best COVID-19 travel insurance plans typically have generous benefits of at least $100,000 in medical expense coverage and $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage 1. Here are some of the best travel insurance plans for COVID-19 coverage. Take advantage of the "Cancel for any reason" Benefit
For UK travelers, you can consider cancellation cover offered by MoneySuperMarket. Their policies offer cancellation cover ranging from £750 to £12,000 1
Which are the closest airports?
Faro, the most convenient, is about 1 hour drive. Lisbon and Seville are both about 3 hours drive. All are easy drives mostly on motorways and parts on dual carriageways. When booking flights check all destinations to give you the best prices and most convenient times.
Faro is under 1 hours drive to the villa.
Lisbon 3 hours drive
Seville 3 hours drive.
Jerez 3.5 hours
Gibraltar 4.5 hours
Porto 5 hours
Rental cars are available at all airports and can be driven between Portugal and Spain without need of special permits. There are no border crossings.
Has David Cameron stayed at your villa in Monchique?
Unfortunately not. We are not big enough for his family and entourage (staff, guards, drivers, etc.), we only sleep 6. In July 2013 and again in 2015 he had his family holiday in a much larger villa about 1km away from here. He used many of the restaurants in the area, including our closest one, O Luar da Foia, there is a photo in there of David shaking hands with our Mayor Rui. In 2014 he and his family again stayed in Portugal villas in Cascais just west of Lisbon, but of course this year he is back here in Monchique again! ........does he like Monchique or what!
Do you give discounts or have special offers?
Certainly we do. We have Spring and Autumn reduced rates, Last Minute and Romantic deals, Negotiable rates for longer stays for snow-birders, click on the special offers
I have seen your Villa advertised on many different websites should I book direct or through them?
It is entirely up to you. We advertise with several major players and have many links on smaller sites to get the best exposure possible. some of the more well known are, One Off Places, Booking, Airbnb, OwnersDirect, HomeAway, VRBO, Tui, E-Domizil, HolidayLettings, ClickStay, Flipkey. These companies have very stringent regulations and checks in place to ensure integrity, standards, licensing and compliance with health and safety. Being registered with them also confirms legitimacy and thus compliments guest confidence. They do charge commission from 15-24% so obviously booking direct with us will give you the best rates by far. Either way you will receive the same 5 star service and attention to detail from us at all times.Is the area and villa safe for children?
Monchique is still the “old” Portugal where neighbours look out for each other, the Algarve’s south coast has the hustle and bustle of tourism and there can be petty crime there like any other busy tourist location. Not so here in Monchique and we hope that it stays this way. The villa is on the end of a private dead end lane with only 5 occupied houses and so we have no passing cars, children can run and explore. We have gates so they can be closed if you have toddlers, we have a swimming pool and a pond so please supervise all children at all times.
Is the villa private and is the pool shared?
Nothing is shared. With this villa rental everything is exclusively yours. The villa is tucked away behind high granite walls and there is a cork oak forest between the villa and the Foia road. We have a neighbour about 50 meters away to one side, (not the pool side), who is quite old and keeps himself busy on his land tending his peach and olive trees. If you are here at the right time of year you might get a basket of peaches from him! The pool area is completely secluded protected and very private, so if you want to swim "au natural", then go for it!
Can we use our mobile phones, tablets and laptops at the villa?
Yes the Algarve and Monchique has excellent mobile phone coverage and the villa has free internet WiFi so you can surf, email, Skype, video stream as much as you like.
How accessible is the villa for older folks?
If they can manage 14 wide stairs in two sections (7 then a wide landing then 7), with a hand rail then they will be fine. These are the stairs to and from the car parking area. We have a twin room on the ground floor so at least we can accommodate two less mobile people and the rest of the villa pool and outside dining is all on this level, only two bedrooms are up more stairs. Unfortunately we are not wheel chair friendly because of those outside stairs.
Do you meet fire regulations?
Yes we do. Our villa is licensed and inspected by local authorities here in Monchique, all rental villas in Portugal have to comply with all Health and Safety regulations including but not limited to regulation fire extinguishers, signs, fire blanket, smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms.
Do you ever get negative reviews, all the reviews I have read are extremely positive, is this real?
Okay, someone had to ask. We pull out every stop and spare no expense to make this villa what it is, small things can go wrong but we put them right straight away, the reviews we have are genuine and come mostly via TripAdvisor or the other big portals. We have only ever had one poor review, you will see this on TripAdvisor and this came from 6 ladies who were permanently intoxicated and embarrassed themselves locally. For this reason we will not take same gender groups anymore.
Can we drink the water?
Absolutely. The villa's water is mains water. Monchique has natural spring water and is famous for its purity and mineral content. It is bottled here and sold throughout Portugal. The mains water is the same water but is very slightly chlorinated, you can drink from any tap. In 2025 we installed a reverse osmosis water filter at the kitchen sink so you don't need to buy bottled water.
Is there a tourist information office?
Yes, about 1.5 km from the villa, just as you enter Monchique from this end, you can't miss it, above the underground car park and next to the view point. Here you can find out all of the things to see and do and importantly about where and when the local events, fairs and music festivals are.
Do you have a proper licence to operate?
Yes we certainly do and had to jump through all the hoops to get it but we firmly believe in being accountable. We have had a licence since we started in 2011. All accommodation establishments including private villas and self catering holiday homes/apartments in Portugal must have a current licence.
This is the plaque fixed to our villa wall. In a nutshell this title is awarded to Private Villas, Self Catering and Bed and Breakfast establishments that qualify and have been issued with a licence to continue as such. Villa Vida Nova's licence number is: AL 2356
In Portugal it is illegal to operate without this licence. It is awarded after inspection and approval by local standards officers and is awarded when an establishment meets stringent Quality and Health and Safety standards.
Having this licence assures our clients that we meet these standards, however Bev and I regard these as the minimum and believe in exceeding these standards to ensure that our guests enjoy their holiday in absolute comfort and safety.
Should we buy Euros before we come?
When Bev and I travel we never buy currency in advance as the banks or bureaus give a very poor exchange rate and often charge commission on top of that! We gave up using our credit cards also as we were charged silly cash withdrawal fees and the exchange rate we were given, which you only find out weeks later on your statement was shockingly low. Then we discovered Wise and use just one debit card whenever we travel and have saved a fortune! Follow this link to learn more.
Is there a Villa Vida Nova Blog?
Yes we do, follow this link Blog