Albufeira
Albufeira – Nightlife, sunshine, beaches and lots and lots of animation are just some of the guaranteed features of Albufeira. Here the life has the rhythm of a tourist metropolis and, as the sun goes down, meet the sun lovers at the many discos, restaurants and bars.
Sports are also a good reason to come and stay in Albufeira. Tennis, golf, water sports and much more make the delights of the most demanding sportsmen.
Best known for the sea, the famous beaches and the incredible tones of the rocks and cliffs, Albufeira is very different just a few kilometres inward – almond trees, fig trees, pines and orange-trees sprinkle the landscape of green!
The whole area, greater Albufeira you could call it, is the most tourist-intensive place in Portugal. It has very little to do with the real Portugal, or with the real planet earth for that matter, but people come here in droves and have the time of their lives.
The name Albufeira came from the Arab “Al-buhera”, meaning “castle of the sea” and it was used as a defensive stronghold for the Arabs. Nowadays, the only thing it can protect you from is sunburn or a hangover from too much partying!
Alcoutim
The name Alcoutim is thought to come from the roman word Alcoutinium, given to this area during the Roman occupation. Very close to Spain, Alcoutim still keeps its traditions alive: the traditional handcraft (for many years its source of revenue), the flower arrangements, the bobbin lace, the weaving, pottery and ceramics, basketwork and the ‘medronho aguardente’ (firewater) that are some of the famous handicrafts of its people.
Away from the bustle of the beach area, with the Guadiana river winding through the waterside villages, Alcoutim gives one a nostalgic feeling with its beautiful landscapes, river side orchards and orange plantations.
Food here is very different from that of the coastal regions, being based on pork and lamb, olive oil and homemade bread. Beans, broad beans and peas are also very much used and can be tasted in delicious hunting dishes made of hare, partridge and wild boar.
Aljezur
Aljezur was founded by the Arabs that occupied this area for a long time. The original village clings close to the hillside, on top of which there is a fortress (now in a state of total disrepair). The stream around the base of the hill was once infested with mosquitoes that spread malaria, formerly a killer disease in the Algarve, but has long since been eradicated. To encourage villagers to move away from the stream, Bishop Francisco Gomes of Faro ordered the building of a new church on the far side of the valley in the mid-18th-century (as shown in the photo which was shot from the castle).
The best overall view of the valley and the two sides of the town is from the 10th-century Moorish castle ruins, which you can walk or drive up to. Legend has it that the Knights of Santiago under Dom Paio Peres took the castle without a fight one night in 1249 when a Moorish maiden opened the door and let them in.
The beaches are the big attraction in the area. They are all fabulous. Just south of Aljezur a turnoff leads to the beaches at Arrifana and Monte Clérigo. Just north, there is a turnoff sign posted 'praia', follow it to Amoreira beach. On the Alentejo border, Praia de Odeceixe is a sheltered cove that is popular with surfers.
Alvor
This typical ancient fishing village became one of the regions that benefited most from the increase in tourism. Nowadays Alvor, with its hotels and its beautiful summer villas is one of the most scenic and visited tourist centres on the Algarve.
Ria de Alvor, one of the most important humid areas of the south of Portugal, is a natural sanctuary that deserves preservation and respect. This sentitive area of Portimão it’s used by migratory birds (like the capped heron, the long-billed tern, the falcon and the white stork) as a passing-through, rest and feeding location.
In amongst the suburbia of Alvor is the Alto Golf's 18-hole course, the last to be designed by the legendary English golfer, Sir Henry Cotton. His first course in the Algarve was the championship course of the venerable Penina Hotel not far from Alvor on the EN125.
In this area, despite the tourism growth it has been facing, you can still watch fishermen bring in their daily catch down at the old quay but now there is also a new marina and numerous up-to-date tourist facilities. The narrow streets of the old village have many attractive restaurants and, as expected in the land of fishermen, fish is the speciality dish.
Aqualand
Aqualand is an aquatic park with all sorts of attractions for elders and youngsters, located near Lagoa. It has a souvenir shop, kiosk, restaurant and several aquatic attractions. A non-stop fun day at the Aqualand will cater to the delights of those who like some action!
Located in the centre of the Algarve and within easy reach of all tourists – open from 29th of April to 28th of September. The Water Park provides 6 hectares of family fun to occupy you for the whole day. Within the landscaped gardens is a choice of thrills that offer speed, excitement, or just easy going pleasure.
For the daredevil, try the Banzai Boggan gliding down 22 metres of sheer excitement. Also, have a go on the Kamikaze, a 92.50 metre bi-slide!
For the less adventurous there is a choice of the Wave Pool, the Kamikaze the FlyingCarpets and the Raging Rapids. One of the main attractions is the Corkscrew that has five lanes so a visitor can choose between a very slow ride and a very fast one!
Armacao de Pera
Armacao de Pera was originally a small fishing village where tuna used to be caught and brought up onto "Fishermen’s Beach”.
The net that the fishermen used to catch the Tuna in was called "Armação" and as it is very close to "Pêra", the village was named Armação de Pêra.
The resort boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve with pretty coves around the coastline and there is an excellent choice of fish restaurants, especially in the "Fishermen’s Beach" area.
It is a great place for a relaxing holiday and has that certain something about it that you will really love. There is a promenade along the beach where you can find a Casino, a mini-golf course and some belvederes.
The beach of Armação de Pêra is perfect for children as it is very calm and the slope is gradual,and in the daytime the fishermen will take holidaymakers for a trip along the coastline where you can see the fascinating rock formations, caves and grottos.
Also in the area there is the tiny Romanesque Chapel of "Senhora da Rocha" (Our Lady of the Rocks), which is where fishermen used to pray before setting off for a night’s fishing. This is apparently the area where there was a vision of the Virgin Mary.
Carvoiero
Praia do Carvoeiro is the place. Its name is nowadays usually simplified to Carvoeiro. To those who peruse the holiday accommodation classified ads in British national newspapers, Carvoeiro may be one of the best-known places in the whole of Portugal.
Apart from its far-flung reputation, it has managed to keep a low profile, having spread sideways rather than upwards. Suburbs of good quality villas, many of them with private pools, have been built to the east and west of the village. There are a few good hotels in the vicinity, but essentially this is holiday villa land. It is very active in summer, but the villa shutters come down with the first signs of winter in early November and most of the neighbourhood goes into hibernation.
There is one notable area of continued activity throughout the winter and that is west of the village where the upmarket Carvoeiro Clube development maintains two excellent golf courses, the unique double nine-hole Quinta do Gramacho, and the pristine 18-hole Vale de Pinta.
Castro Marim
Castro Marim provides a stark contrast to Monte Gordo and it nestles between two hills. Even though they are low hills they have a commanding view of the broad estuary of the river Guadiana, which marks the frontier between the Algarve and the Spanish province of Andalusia.
The larger of Castro Marim's two separate fortifications stands on the hill on the riverside of the road winding through the village. You can drive almost right up to the front gate and then walk around within the battlements. You will see that there is a castle within a castle. The inner one is square with a cylindrical tower at each corner. In the 15th-century, this was the headquarters of the Order of Christ, the religious-military order that succeeded the Knights Templar in Portugal. Later, the castle was greatly expanded. In the 17th-century it was augmented by a second fortification, the Fort of São Sebastião, which stands on the other side of the village. The fort was built to strengthen Portugal's defences when it regained its independence after 60 years of Spanish subjugation (between 1580 and 1640). The area around Castro Marim is a protected natural reserve (Reserva Natural do Sapal), rich in bird life. Its saltpans and marshes are feeding and breeding grounds for many species of water birds, including Black-winged Stilts, Avocets and Little Terns. Flocks of several hundred flamingos may be seen feeding in the pans out of breeding season. For directions and information about the species you can expect to see, ask the office just inside the main gate of the castle. There are also guided tours, but you have to book in advance.
Estói Milreu
Estói is an enchanted historical village hidden in an Algarve that doesn’t match the ideal of beach, tourist resorts and golf. This small, yet rich, location that sits a few kilometres from Faro, has just one of those attractions that you could, better, should not miss! If you’re passing by (and if you’re not... try to), make sure you find your way to see the Milreu Roman Ruins.
With approximately 12000 visitors a year, this national monument was once home for an agricultural exploration, also made of a rural residence. This residence, initially small, kept growing and growing. Big landlords came to Estoi and started building big houses, luxuriously decorated with tiles and marble that can still be seen today. The only inconvenient about this place comes when we are talking about disabled facilities. Although there are ramps for wheelchairs, their movement around the archaeological site is very difficult.
Faro
Faro is the capital of the Algarve district and it’s located near the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Nowadays it is a modern and pleasant city, with a very peculiar lifestyle, a well-preserved historical center and an animated nightlife that attracts many tourists all year round.
A medieval wall and a large number of monuments such as the Cathedral (Roman-Gothic origin), Nossa Senhora da Assuncao Convent (Renaissance) and the São Francisco Church (16-18th centuries) can still be seen here. The most lavishly adorned of Faro churches is that of Nossa Senhora do Carmo. It is also the spookiest. It has a bone chapel with the skeletal remains of 1.245 former monks. An inscription over the doorway translates to: "Stop here and think of the fate that will befall you”.
Faro is also known for the Motorcycle Rally that happens every year in July. Motorcyclists from all over the world gather here to show-off their bikes, get together and party!
Lagoa
Lagoa, a typical, small provincial town, is best known for its winery, the most famous in the Algarve. Strong, rough and ready red and white table wines, and a little fortified wine as well, are produced from grapes grown in a wide radius around Lagoa.
Visitors are welcome, by appointment, to tour the adega, see something of the wine making process and taste the final product.
Lagoa's banks and shops draw tourists but it’s not really a tourist town.
Apart from the wine-growing attraction, the council also has excellent beaches located between cliffs, providing sceneries of unusual beauty.
Lagos
Lagos is the most historically interesting coastal town in the Algarve. Its fame comes from its association with Portugal's 14th-and 15th-century Age of Discovery.
Lagos rises up amid four hills and gathers lovely beaches located between the rocks where the sea forced its way. Due to the yellowish color of its rocks this area is frequently called Golden Coast.
This has been, for a long time, a city rich in history and natural beauty – see it in the wide walking areas, in the many gardens and parks and in the life and colour of hidden corners!
And this is also the place for all sports. Living in harmony with the environment, Lagos invites you to play tennis, to go horse riding or to play golf. This seaside resort offers activities like water skiing, sailing, windsurfing, sport fishing and many, many more… All good reasons to pay a visit to Lagos.
Loule
Loule, 16 km north west of Faro along a good road, is a vibrant and typically market town set in almond-covered foothills. It is an ancient town, but only remnants of its once Roman, later Moorish castle walls remain. The castle walls are in the central area that is best known among visitors for its craftsmen, its old-world charm and its keenness to party.
As you stroll around the narrow, cobbled streets, you will come across dimly lit workshops. Peer in through the gloom and you will find artisans beating copper, stitching leather or selling wrought iron, cane furniture, basketwork or embroidered goods.
Visit Loule at Carnival time, usually February, and you won't see much gloom. The merrymaking doesn't quite rival that in Rio de Janeiro, but people from all over the Algarve converge on the town for a couple of days of float and fancy-dress parades, general high-spirits and sometimes not so funny practical jokes involving fireworks or paint. If you intend to attend, wear old clothes. Nowadays, this Carnival makes a satire to the society, the political system and the most important events of the year.
A handicraft fair is held each August, but just about every morning, certainly on Saturdays, Loulé exudes a fair-like atmosphere in the Moorish-looking municipal market, built at the beginning of the century.
Monchique
Monchique is one of the most charming places on the Algarve and it’s very different from the tourist coast, although it is very near the beach area.
With dazzling views and a mild climate, Monchique is located on the Serra de Monchique range of hills, famous for its spa and its bottled water. They say that just a drop will add years to your life!
Surrounded by gardens, those who choose to visit Monchique will find the quietness and the life of a different Algarve. The air is still fresh and many activities take place on the unaltered Monchique range of hills: guided walks, horse riding, flower and bird’s watchers, mountain biking, Yoga, meditation, aromatherapy and cristaltherapy.
And remember that in just half-an-hour you can be an explorer at the coast of the Algarve and in three hours you can go to Spain or Lisbon.
Olhão
Olhão is Algarve’s main fishing port. There are really no major attractions on this small location, so why did we decide to talk about it?… Well, Olhão has that certain something that can only be felt by those who eventually choose to visit it. Although quite small, this location has a variety of little things that will, for sure, pander to your delights.
From all these things we would like to point out the colourful fishing boats on the waterfront, the busy market with an exceptional variety of fresh seafood for sale, the quality low-price restaurants and the enchanted sand-spit islands of Armona and Culatra (make sure you don’t miss them!) that one can reach by taking the ferry that leaves from the pier on the seafront.
In the summer, Olhão is stage for the famous “Festa do Marisco” (literally “Shellfish Party”). This party is made of many stalls where visitors can taste all sorts of fish dishes at a very reasonable price, while they listen to the performances of singers and bands.
Portimão
Portimão is a pretty city with a modern structure. It has almost anything a party crowd could ask for: beach and disco! There are two things that always come to the mind of people thinking of Portimão: Praia da Rocha (Rocha beach) and the Katedral disco.
Animation, sunshine, shopping and sardines! This is Portimão!… One of the best streets for shopping is Rua do Comercio (“Commerce Street” – the name says it all), a pedestrian mall which begins from the old market square near the parish church in the highest part of town.
There is also a straight connection between the fishing activity and the Portimão port. Don’t be surprised if you see many tourists looking for the unique taste of grilled sardines on the old Portimão quay, where they are only washed in the sea and grilled on charcoal.
Quinta do Lago
Quinta do Lago is the place you read about on jet-set magazines. What an incredible place for your holidays! It has almost anything: golf courses, discos, some of the finest restaurants, beach and much, much more!
Bordered by the Atlantic and by the Ria Formosa Natural Park, Quinta do Lago is a tourist resort distinguished by the harmony achieved between man and nature.
Golf is a lifestyle here – the biggest golf area in Europe with 72 holes shared by four excellent 18-hole course, two of which are listed in the 25 best golf courses in Europe.
Located just a 15 minutes drive from Faro International Airport, Quinta do Lago is under three hours flying time from most European capitals.
Ria Formosa Natural Park
The Ria Formosa Park is one of the most beautiful natural wealths of the Algarve, both for the variety of its ecosystems and for its singular location. This incredible natural paradise spreads along 60 km, from the Ancão area (belonging to Loulé council) to the Manta Rota zone (on the Vila Real de Santo António council) and is the shelter for migratory and rare bird species.
There are only 2 rivers that feed the lagoon all year round. The rest of the streams and rivers are seasonal and dry up during the summer. The areas exposed in the lagoons can be completely submerged due to tidal influences. Islands in the area are sensitive and unstable and vary from 500 metres to 2 kilometres.
The area is used for mussel and oyster farming, though traditionally it was used for salt production as well as agriculture.
The objectives of the park are to preserve and develop natural resources. This helps in the preservation of natural habitats of wildlife. Although there is human activity in the park, it does not alter the equilibrium of the ecosystem as everything is done in a traditional way.
Sagres
The beaches, the pureness of the waters and the immensity of its landscapes make visitors want to come back to revisit Sagres.
Main attractions?… Where should we start? Sagres is the sportsmans paradise. The fishing activity attracts thousands of visitors especially between December and April; surf, windsurf, bodyboard, diving and big game fishing find here some of the best conditions in Portugal; botany lovers can see some species unique in the world. Sagres is a never-ending story of excitement and entertainment.
The climate is mild and moderate on the winter and, being a cape inside the water, the temperature is controlled by the sea.
Sagres is also famous for its St. Vincent Cape. Here you stand before the cape of the world, where the land ends and the sea begins. It’s impossible to describe the importance of this place and the amazing sensations it can show you. On stormy days, with the rage of the waves, it’s worth staying there a bit longer and just looking at the show they perform. Go back to the Age of the Discoverers and imagine the caravels trying to cross the St. Vincent Cape on stormy days. Back then, sailors thought all that anger was due to the Gods and therefore this Cape has long been connected to mythology.
Silves
Silves was conquered by Abd-al-Aziz in 713 aD, and remained under islamic rule until the middle of the thirteenth century. At that time it was taken over by Dom Paio Peres Correia, master of the St. James Order. King Dom Sancho I, aided by Crusaders travelling to the Holy Land, reconquered the town in 1189. However, the Christians only remained in Silves for about two years.
Silves’s commanding position made it the ideal fortified settlement. Above the town, the red walls of the impressive castle stand out against the skyline. This is really our favorite feature in Silves. The castle offers superb views of the town and countryside from the massive, polygonal ramparts. It’s one of the most beautiful town belvederes and a place where you can enjoy romantic atmospheres.
Make sure you also enjoy the public spaces the city has to offer. Gardens, squares, restaurants and cafés set in a historic city to suit your needs. Welcome to Silves!
Tavira
The historical past of this city is very rich and can be seen on its buildings and on the street planning of the historical center. Also known as the “cidade das igrejinhas” (little churches town), it is apart away from the crowded places of the Algarve and boasts the spectacular Tavira Island and the fabulous Ria Formosa.
Picturesque and unique, Tavira is a mix of wonderful architecture, saltpans, enchanted beaches, mountain ranges, windmills and (of course) churches, crossed by the river Gilhão. A roman bridge makes the connection between both margins of the river, and both sides of Tavira.
Vale do Lobo
Luxury, golf, beach, nature, exquisite restaurants, quality accommodation, sports, leisure... This is all that this incredible resort area has to offer those who choose to visit it. Blessed with an average 3000 hours sunshine a year, Vale do Lobo is perfect for whatever reason you decide to come.
Vale do Lobo has been the award winner for the "Best Resort of the Millennium" for the high standard of its accommodation, services, sporting facilities and concern for the environment. Do we need to say more?…
Vilamoura
Vilamoura is the tourist resort par excellence. The biggest private holiday development in Portugal has golf courses, a wide range of other sports facilities and an incredible marina with all sorts of facilities and entertainment. From the holidaymaker’s perspective you should know that if there’s something to do, it can be done in Vilamoura.
Nearby, the Vilamoura Casino is not quite up to Las Vegas standards, but you can try your luck on the one-armed bandits or on the more serious gaming tables. The casino restaurant features a nightly floorshow with high-kicking dancers.
Animation, discos, green areas, golf courses, horse riding, water sports, all together in a well conceived area, known for being both a resting and a “have fun” destination.
Vila do Bispo
With the mythic atmosphere of Sagres and Saint Vincent’s Cape and the preserved beauty of a dramatic coast in the background, here is Vila do Bispo!… a place where nature and sea get together with history to give Vila do Bispo an unique character that is definitely worth a visit.
Partially set in the Natural Park of the South-west Alentejano (referring to Alentejo) and Vicentine Coast, the Vila do Bispo council is one of the few places in the Algarve where the wild nature, together with a rich historical-cultural patrimony, remains untouched.
From its people to the assorted gastronomy and the paradisiac beaches, Vila do Bispo allows you to practice all sorts of tourism and sports and enables a really healthy contact with nature.
ZooLagos
The idea to build the Lagos Zoological Park grew very gradually.
As a particular collection of animal species in a farm grew up, the tourists that passed by, as well as the local residents and even the schools from the region asked if they could tour the farm.
To develop from what was a hobby into a real commercial project, and facing the fact that there wasn't in the Lagos region, any location where conservation, education and Nature protection were of any great meaning, the Lagos Zoological Park became reality, a perfect world that everybody can reach.
Lagos Zoological Park is near Barão de S. João next to the road between Bensafrim and Barão de S. João
Zoomarine
A fascinating entertaining and educational oceanographic facility taking its theme from the links the Algarve has with the sea. Take your family to the Zoomarine and enjoy a wonderful day watching dolphins, seals, sharks, turtles, exotic birds, seabirds, crocodiles and tropical fish.
Zoomarine’s characteristics, exhibitions and shows of an exceptionally high standard make it unique in Portugal.
In a tranquil setting offset by lakes and gardens Zoomarine has created the right environment to reveal the "secrets of the sea".
The park has all the requisite amenities you need for a happy family outing: restaurants, shops, amusements and swimming pools.
