Aldeia das Acoteias

This pleasant residential neighborhood is known as The Cottage, the English name chosen by the developers for the Portuguese Aldeamento. Pine trees shade the area and frame the houses, creating a particularly nice atmosphere. The homes blend modernist and vernacular styles, typical of Algarve modernism. The old central buildings give the neighborhood a distinctive feel. Many houses are rented to tourists, though there isn’t much to do here beyond appreciating the architecture or renting an apartment. Portuguese architects Victor Palla e Bento d'Almeida designed the complex in the 1960s. It was among Portugal’s first housing developments aimed at tourism, with a modernist take on the feel of a small town. The original plan included residential areas, a pine forest, agricultural land, and central facilities. The agricultural areas have since given way to more housing. The facilities once included a supermarket, restaurant, pool, and café. At present only the pool is operating, and it no longer follows the original modernist design.