Villa recommendations please - must have a central location

[Girlred]

I would really appreciate if anyone could share their experiences of a decent villa where a car is not necessary. We only need 2 bedrooms but know many villas have 3+, I know apartments would be easier to find but we need the private pool for various reasons. We have loved Portugal and France in the past but would consider anywhere in Europe. There are so many villas to chose from but many of them seem to require car hire and we really want to be able to walk to shops and restaurants ( beach would be a bonus!). Has anyone found any hidden gems that didn't cost a total fortune? Any advice or recommendations appreciated.

This is exactly what i wanted to ask! I have been looking today and they all seem to cost £3000 or more for a week! Am jumping on your thread 😐

I live in Carvoeiro in the Algarve - without needing a car, look at - monte Carvoeiro, Quinta do Paraiso, Areias dos Moinhos, Algar Seco, parts of Mato Serrao

I'm happy to give an opinion on the location of any particular properties if you want to pm any links?

Have a look at Cala'n'Bosch in Menorca. Lots of villas for rent, shops, marina, beach all in walking distance and good bus service for visiting other parts of the island

Thanks everyone. Costa I've been to Carvoeiro before and really loved it. We stayed at a villa quite near the Vila Nova apartments but was hoping for something even more central. My friend suggested the Monte Dourado? apartments for great location but would really prefer a villa due to the private pool but on the other hand we need to keep costs down this year due to a recent house move!! Thanks for reminding me about Carvoeiro, just been thinking how perfect a resort it is, you're so lucky to live there. Jiggly I've been checking out Cala'n Bosch and it looks perfect but lots of villas seem booked already ( probably because it's so nice!), would you recommend any other towns/ resorts in Menorca.

Oh that's a shame. You could have a look at Menorcan villas - I know their booking coordinator and she can make recommendations (I'm not on commission or anything but she knows the island a lot better than I do): menorcanvillas.co.uk/

Have you tried Nerja? Lots of villas in the town.

Monte dourado is a brilliant location, but it is all apartments rather than villas with private pools

Algar Seco and monte Carvoeiro are as close if you can find a villa in either of those

You lot are great, feel a bit more focused on my search. Chewbecca we went to Nerja on our last holiday and loved it, just want to try somewhere different but it's certainly a good suggestion for others who might read this as good choice of central villas. Jiggly, thanks for that link to menorcavillas, it never came up on my searches and have found a few possibilities. I'm deciding between Menorca now and a return visit to lovely Carvoeiro. Costa, sorry to pester you but I'm looking at a few properties in area you recommended (in Monte Carvoeiro). Would you say it's closer to town than the area beside Vila Nova apartments or about the same? If I remember we could walk from there to town in about 15 mins but got a taxi home, does that sound about right.

Yes monte Carvoeiro is closer, it's just at the top of the cliff road to the right of the beach, or you can cut down the road parallel (Rua do Casino) which brings you down to the post office. We had friends stay there a couple of years ago and they loved the location as you also have the option of the monte Carvoeiro restaurants (A Tasquinha, O Salmao, Elliotts, Stone Steak and Mama Mia pizzas) if you don't want to walk down to the village. I'd say the walk is about 5 minutes