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  Local Data for Algarve |
Places of Interest |
Western Algarve
Villages in the Luz Area
Salema: A delightful fishing village with a long stretch of beach, Salema is a typical Portuguese village.A wide, sheltered bay makes the beach ideal for swimming in the summer.The harbour, with its colourful fishing boats, is a delight and Salema itself is a great starting point for some of the Algarve’s most rewarding walks.
Burgau:A small and sleepy village, Burgau retains much Algarvian charm, it is a picturesque village with cobbled streets, shuttered houses and a cliff lined beach.The cliff top walks offer fabulous views over the spectacular Atlantic Ocean whilst its beach is ideal for families with children of all ages.
Villa do Bispo:A small, traditional village with core of old white houses, it serves as a perfect stop off point for exploring the wild, rugged west coast beaches.The main attraction in Vila do Bispo is the delightful church situated in the centre.Full of traditional Algarvian character, the church displays a wealth of painting, gilding and tiling on every surface, along with a range of carvings, chalices, and ecclesiastical vestments.
Villages in the Praia da Rocha Area
Carvoeiro:Praia do Carvoeiro is a picturesque coastal village which has retained a traditional Algarvian way of life. Close by, Algar Seco is also well worth a visit with its striking coastal land-formations produced by rock weathering and a lagoon which is a snorkeller’s delight.
Ferragudo:Located on the other side of the beautiful River Arade, Ferragudo is a charming, traditional fishing village of whitewashed houses and minarets lining a warren of cobbled streets.It is home to a 16th century fort, one of a pair (the other at Praia da Rocha), which, following a twentieth century remodelling, is a truly spectacular sight.
Lagoa:Lagoa is the wine centre of the Algarve and a visit should include a trip to the ‘Caves Afonso III Cellars’ to taste the fantastic local wines, including Algar Seco and Afonso III – reminiscent of sherry in taste, they are quite strong and should be served chilled.
Porches:Porches is famous for its hand painted majolica, a heavy ceramic painting method, which uses techniques employed since Moorish times.The streets are lined with workshops where visitors can browse and purchase a whole host of majolica products whilst watching the craftsmen at work.
SAGRES
This is where the remains of the fortress built for Prince Henry ‘the Navigator’ can be seen.Windswept and relatively barren, the coastal views are dramatic and the atmosphere of the peninsular, known as the ‘Sacred Promontory’ since prehistoric times, fires the imagination.
PORTIMÃO
The second largest town in the Algarve is a major fishing port which lies at the mouth of the River Arade.Probably the best location in the Algarve to shop, Portimao also boasts a glorious waterfront environment, comprising a series of squares set under the shade of trees right by the fishing harbour.The most historic building is the Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Conceição, with an impressive interior and the original 14th century Manueline door.The walls are covered in stunning 17th century azulejos (distinctive glazed tiles used for decoration).
CABO DE SÃO VICENTE
Known as “the end of the world”, Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St Vincent) is the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe.The area is abundant with marine and birdlife, and with the highest concentration in Portugal, it is a great place to spot blue rock thrushes and peregrine falcons.From the Cape’s famous lighthouse, around 200 ships can be seen each day as they navigate the route between the Mediterranean and the north Atlantic Sea. One of the most powerful lighthouses in the world, the Cape St Vincent light beam projects almost 60 miles out to sea.
ALJEZUR
Home to the remains of a tenth century Moorish castle, Aljezur, in the north western Algarve, is a picturesque and lively town with an historic centre. A network of cobbled streets offers sweeping views over the valley and, en route to the castle ruins, a host of free museums offer an insight into the town’s history.
ODECEIXE
The most northerly town in the Algarve is attractive and tranquil with a superb beach – Praia de Odeceixe.A small, covered market, a bustling town square and an old, traditional wine cellar add to its charm.
MONCHIQUE
This busy town, set in the heart of the Serra de Monchique mountain range is famous for its large market.Held on the second Friday of each month it offers a chance to buy a wide range of local produce including olives, cheese and the speciality hams and locally made furniture popular in the region.The parish church, Igreja Matriz, is impressive with a beautiful Manueline porch and azulejos, as are the ruins of Franciscan monastery, Nossa Senhora do Desterro. It is well worth a visit, even if it is just for its views over the town.
lagos and silves
Lagos
A spacious town with a maze of intimate streets and an historically rich past, Lagos effortlessly retains a personality and working life of its own whilst catering for a wealth of visitors.
With its deep water harbour and wide bay, Lagos is a fascinating and historic town, which boasts a new marina, a beautiful ‘Old Town’ and a close proximity to some of the Algarve’s best beaches.In part of the old town, visitors can still see sections of early Roman walls and admire the ancient fortress which guards the harbour – the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira.Lagos was also the site of the first slave market (mercado de escravos) to be established in Europe in 1444, and a visit is a stirring reminder of Europe’s controversial history. The site is now home to a small exhibition centre.
The Chapel of St Antonio or ‘Golden Chapel’, a superb example of Portuguese baroque, is also worth a visit, with its gilded wood carvings and paintings.
Lagos is a cultural mix of the old and new, illustrated by two of the towns best attractions:The rare and beautiful church, Igreja de Santo Antonio, can be best viewed as part of a visit to the Museau Municipal, home to a wide range of Algarvian historical displays, including Roman remains, weaponry, paintings and sacred art.Modern Lagos is illustrated with exhibitions found just north of the Praça da República at the Centro Cultural de Lagos.
Silves
Once the Moorish capital of the Algarve, Silves boasts some impressive and historical architecture.Dominated by the Castelo dos Mouros (Moorish Castle), the town also offers an imposing, if austere, cathedral (Sé Velha), bustling street culture and archaeological museum containing a host of historical artefacts including some beautiful Moorish ceramics.
The ‘Portuguese Cross’ is also to be found on the outskirts of Silvesthe unusual white Calvary shows the crucifixion on one side and the Virgin of Compassion on the other and was thought to have been brought to the city upon the transfer of king João II’s remains north to Batalha.
Eastern Algarve
Villages in the Armação de Pêra Area
Alcantarilha:The site of Travel Club of Upminster’s exclusive Fazenda Caravela Villas, this village is set in the regions rolling countryside, surrounded by a wave of beautiful orange trees.The views down to the beach at Armação de Pêra, 3km south, are breathtaking.
Guia:Guia is home to a particularly spectacular selection of azulejos (distinctive glazed tiles introduced during the Moorish occupation), housed in the Baroque Nossa Senhora da Guia.The historic seventeenth century Igreja Matriz church is also worth a visit.
Villages in the Albufeira Area
Alte:Famous for its spring waters, the pretty village of Alte has been drawing visitors from all over Portugal for centuries.Best explored on foot, the village leads down to the river where there are two natural springs from which to drink, Fonte Pequena and Fonte Grande.
Paderne:Served by buses from Albufeira, the sleepy village of Paderne is set on a low hill where visitors can visit the parish church dating back to 1506, or simply wander the sloping streets, absorbing the relaxed atmosphere.
Villages East of Faro
São Brás de Alportel:A charming village, just north of Estoi, São Brás is home to a large collection of old Algarvian artefacts.The Museu Etnográfico do Trajo contains a range of traditional costumes with old donkey carriages, looms and bull carts, and demonstrations of this traditional machinery take place occasionally giving visitors a real taste of the ‘old’ Algarve.
Santa Luiza:River trips to the Ria Formosa natural park depart from this delightful fishing village, but Santa Luiza itself offers an insight into one of the Algarve’s main industries.Santa Luiza is famed for its octopus fishing.The pots (alcatruzes) line the jetty, and visitors can sit and watch the world go by from one of many great seafood restaurants which overlook the lagoon.
ESTÓI
Whilst famed for hosting the region’s biggest and best monthly market, the town of Estói also boasts a wealth of beautiful architectural treasures.The 18th century Estói Palace, although derelict, still holds much of its baroque charm, and visitors are more than welcome to explore the fine looking grounds, although the building itself is closed to the public.With free access, visitors to Estói shouldn’t miss a trip to the ruins of the Roman Villa of Milreu.The remains of the baths are clearly visible, as is the excavated remains of the central atrium.
TAVIRA
Home to over twenty churches, the town of Tavira is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful in the Algarve.Take a stroll along the riverside, absorbing the atmosphere at the Roman Bridge over the river Gilão or simply wander the maze of streets dotted with church spires, domes and luminous white buildings.
LOULE
Home to the Algarve’s renowned weekly Saturday market and February Carnival festivities, Loule also boasts the walled remains of a Moorish castle.A centre for arts and crafts in the Algarve, the town has a range of boutiques, market stalls and workshops, where craftsmen are always busy making goods in copper, leather and cane.
CABO DE SANTA MARIA
The most southerly point in Portugal, the cape is situated at the peak of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa south of Faro and is distinctive for its lighthouse (Faro means lighthouse in Portuguese).An area of natural beauty, the cape sees the return year after year of migrating birds, many species of marine life and some rare and beautiful species of plants and flowers.
CASTRO MARIM
One of the most easterly towns of the Algarve, and once a key fortification on Portugal’s southern coast, Castro Marim is home to the ruins of a huge castle built in the 13th century by Alfonso III.The impressive ruins are all that survives but are well worth a visit, as they afford amazing views over the mud flats of the Reserva Natural do Sapal.The reserve is home to the rare amphibian - Mediterranean Chameleon.
faro and around
The bustling commercial centre of the Algarve, Faro is home to the region’s airport and sits above the mud flats of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.A busy town, the capital’s must see sights are mostly contained within, or within reach of, the walled old town centre, or Cidade Velha.Constructed in 1755, visitors gain entrance through the Arco da Vila, an imposing arch which leads on to the Rua da Municípo.
Museu Arqueológico Lapidar Dom Henrique - A former 16th century convent, the archaeological museum houses some beautiful azulejos and a wide range of treasures from the Algarvian Roman era, found at Faro, Milreu and other Roman archaeological sites.The most impressive is the Roman mosaic of Neptune and statues uncovered at Roman sites in Estói.
Sé (Catherdral) – Set in the heart of Cathedral Square, the Romanesque - Gothic Sé sits on the site of a Roman Temple.Previously a mosque, the site still retains a hint of Moorish influence, most recognisable in the dome and façade of one chapel.Once inside, visitors are treated to beautiful azulejos and an eye-catching red and gilt chinoiserie painted organ.
Ireja do Carmo – Behind the Largo do Carmo lies the imposing structure of the Ireja do Carmo with its twin bell towers and Baroque façade. The interior is home to one of the finest examples of gilded carving workmanship and the walls glisten with intricate gold design.A more chilling sight can be found in the adjoining Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) which, as its name suggests, is decorated with the bones of humans as a reminder of mortality.
The Harbour
Faro’s waterfront is the centre of activity in the city with the streets and harbour lined with town gardens and an abundance of fantastic cafes and restaurants.The excellent sand spit beaches are accessible from a harbour, lined with impressive yachts, and are just a short boat ride away.
sportugal
VALE DO LOBO
Vale do Lobo is a long established exclusive development situated on the coast west of Faro, next to the famous Quinta do Lago sport resort.Set within 2000 acres of pine trees, Vale do Lobo offers extensive recreational facilities.Golf is strongly featured in the resort, which has three, nine hole courses, including the Royal Course and Ocean Course (both require a minimum handicap).Villas and smart townhouses comprise accommodation within the resort which also has a magnificent sandy beach - Praia de Vale do Lobo.
VILAMOURA
The largest of the Algarve’s sport areas, Vilamoura is the destination for the more active holidaymaker.With a range of excellent facilities, including three golf courses, a casino, tennis, squash, volleyball, football and snooker, the resort caters for all types of athlete.Entertainment of the non-sport type is centred on the lively marina and two adjacent beaches, with the more westerly stretching for miles.Stalls along the marina offer dolphin-watching and fishing trips, and the whole area is abundant with cafes and restaurants.
QUINTA DO LAGO
Boasting a range of top class golf courses, Quinta do Lago is the place ‘to be seen’ playing a few rounds of golf.Like Vale do Lobo, the resort nestles amongst acres of beautiful pine trees just next to the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, surrounded by lakes and waterways.A wooden bridge crossing the reserve leads holidaymakers to a sand spit beach, a vast continuation of the beach at Faro.The three nine-hole golf courses, São Lorenço, Quinta do Lago and Pinheiros Altos, all require a minimum handicap to play and are set in exquisite surroundings.
| Vale Do Lobo | Quinta Do Lago | Vilamoura | | Ocean Course – Max handicap 28 Men/36 Women | São Lorenço – Max handicap 28 Men/36 | Laguna – No handicap certificate required | | Royal Course – Max handicap 27 Men/35 Women | Quinta Do Lago – Max handicap 26 Men/35 | Millennium – Handicap 24 Men/28 Women | | | Pinheiros Altos – Max handicap 28 | The Old Course – Max handicap 24 Men/28 Women | | | | Pinhal – Handicap 28 Men/36 Women |
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