Location
Casa Branca is located in the Southern Algarve, in the small rural village of Centieira, Padern. Just 2 Miles away from the centre of Padern.
*Approx 5 mins by car, if you like to be outdoors and want to take in the local sights then you can also take a leisurely walk which will take around 45 mins.
Paderne
Paderne is a lovely rural traditional Portuguese village, in a region of beautiful landscapes and a very interesting heritage, worth to be known.
It is an ancient village, once named as “Paderna”, probably with a Lusitanian origin, meaning “rough or untreatable”. Throughout Paderne you will discover subterranean galleries that were used some centuries ago as barns.
Paderne has been able to maintain its typical rural feature, despite all the tourism and urban development, it is proud of its monuments like the Castle, the Old Bridge, the Watermill, the Renaissance 16th century Nossa Senhora da Esperança Church, the modest Nossa Senhora do Pé da Cruz Chapel dated from the beginning of the 18th century, or the famous Leitão Windmill, a symbol of the agricultural activity throughout the centuries.
Paderne is perfect for lovely walks, and there are even some pedestrian itineraries of great beauty, showing off “another” Algarve that has much more to offer than just its golden beaches with crystalline waters.
Albufeira
We make no secrets of being just 6 miles inland from the closest beach and the bustling entertainment of Albufeira Old Town. We feel extremely lucky to have found this amazing location which has enabled us to craft a unique paradise in the countryside, just a short trip away from the beautiful beaches and landscapes allowing you to create the perfect holiday experience.
* Approx 15 - 20 mins by Car / Approx - 2 hour walk
Supermarkets
The closest local supermarket is approximately 1 mile away (5 min by car / 40 min walk), if you are looking for more than just essentials then you can find bigger brand supermarkets such as Intermarche (3.7 miles away – 10 mins by car) or Aldi and Lidl (6 miles away – 15 mins by car)
The bigger supermarkets are the perfect choice to 'Stock up' at the beginning of your stay, with the local supermarkets being perfectly located if you start to run low on supplies.
Bakery / Organic Produce
Looking for freshly baked break, the perfect Pastel de Nata or even a freshly made birthday cake? there is a 24-hour bakery less than 5 mins drive away.
Approximately 10 mins away there is an organic stall where you can find plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, you can also order these supplies by phone with free delivery directly to Casa Branca.
Our surroundings
Whilst Casa Branca is in a very peaceful location there are lots of beautiful restaurants and offsite amenities nearby. The restaurants are normally open for lunch between 12am and 3pm and then re-open later in the afternoon at around 6pm until around 11pm or later.
From hiking, biking trails and quad biking tours to water parks, boat trips, dolphin experiences to much much more..
For more information on specific events that you may wish to take part in whilst visiting us at Casa Branca, please do not hesitate to get in touch as we are more than happy to help you source any information you need where possible.
Useful Information
Portugal comes under the GMT (Greenwich Meridian Time), the same as London.
Portugal’s currency is the Euro. The Euro coins have one side that shows the value of the coin and the other represents the country to which the coin belongs, so it’s perfectly normal to find different looking coins, but with the same value.
To dial a Portuguese phone number first dial the international code 00 351.
To dial a number outside Portugal when in the country, first dial 00 followed by the country code. (e.g. UK: 00 44) then the area code (without the preceding "0") and then the phone number.
Clothes, what to pack
To gain maximum comfort whilst on holiday, here are a few tips about what kind of clothes to bring in your suitcase.
Summer season
Cool and baggy clothing is ideal for daywear. In the evening, the temperature can come down a little, so it’s better to always keep a jacket or cardigan handy and wear long skirts and trousers. For a luxury evening out, for example to a five-star restaurant or the Casino, it is necessary to dress more formally like a suit or dress. Something that should always be very handy is your beach-towel and swimwear.
Rest of the year
Visiting the Algarve out of the summer will still guarantee you some very pleasant days and evenings. However, you should always be prepared for all eventualities so maybe have an umbrella to hand.
Taking care in the Sun
During the summer temperatures in the Algarve can be very high and the periods of sun are long. It is common knowledge that excess sun can cause illnesses such as skin Cancer so please use plenty of high-factor sunscreen, especially for children. A hat is an indispensable accessory, as are a good pair of sunglasses. It is advisable to avoid exposure to the sun during its strongest point in the day which is between 12pm and 4pm.
Quality of the water
In Albufeira, tap water is considered perfectly drinkable but might taste different to what you are used to due to its mineral composition. Some people prefer to buy bottled water for daily consumption and only use tap water for making tea or coffee.