Algarve resort information

The beautiful beaches of Sao Rafael, Evaristo, Castelo, Coelho and Gale are all nearby in the west of Albufeira, and Praia da Oura, Santa Eulalia and Falesia to the east of Albufeira the area also has numerous sandy coves where you can get away from it all. Guia, just a few kilometres to the north of the coast is famous for its gastronomical delights including a selection of restaurants, and especially the famous chicken piri-piri dish Albufeira is an International Centre renowned for its rich and diverse cuisine. The great diversity of restaurants offers everything from regional dishes to the more refined specialties of French, Italian or German cooking. This region is closely tied to the ocean and the many fish and seafood restaurants constitute a strong gastronomic presence.

In history Albufeira was a thriving seaport and had its own castle. A plentiful collection of bars, restaurants, and clubs, start to fill-up with people until they spill over into the narrow streets. Fine beaches extend east and west from the town. Praia de Balaia, Praia de Castelo, Praia de Falιsia, Praia de Galι, de Olhos d’Agua, Praia de Maria Luisa, and Praia de Sγo Rafael, being the main ones. A small museum of 15th and 17th century Ming ceramics and a Municipal art gallery hold regular exhibitions during the season. New additions include a new Virtual Archaeological Museum and a new Marina that has been completed on the west side of the town and offers a different and attractive aspect. Other places of interest near to Albufeira are Armaηγo de Pera, Boliqueime, Guia, Silves and Paderne with its ruined castle perched on an isolated hill some distance from the village. At Ponte Grande there are impressive caverns with large arches and the underwater caverns of Grutas do Xorino.

Alvor

 This ancient coastal village is a very well-liked holiday location and the one-ended narrow streets have restrained from changing too much. Most of these streets boast bars with live music and many gastronomical delights, leading off from these there are still memories of the older fishing village. The village is situated facing a natural lagoon opening onto the sea. There are many different long open sandy beaches or a number of small coves tucked under the cliffs to be explored. The attractive 16th Century Parish Church has a prime example in its main doorway of the great craftsmanship of the Manueline era of architecture.

Alvor nearby Locations

Places near to Alvor are the commercial town of Portimão, the famous popular beaches of Praia da Rocha and Praia do Vau, and the semi-nature reserve of Quinta da Rocha

Lagos

This is one of the more significant tourist towns although there are still many architectural signs of its ancient past. Most of the town’s ancient walls are still remaining after extensive restoration. The famous 17th century "gold" church of Santo Antóniohas a small museum of regional items attached to it, some of which are quite odd! There are several interesting statues erected to the famous past figures that are associated with the history of this town. The most controversial being that of the sculpture of Dom Sebastião standing in the main square in front of the Town Hall. The Algarve’s only Saint, São Gonçalo de Lagos who was born in 1360 and died in 1422 in Torres Vedras has a small shrine dedicated to his memory. Pope PioVI raised him to Sainthood in 1778. The recently constructed Marina presents a lovely picture of this harbour and is the first sight a visitor has of Lagos. Besides the boats that find it convenient as a permanent mooring it is usually full of yachts passing through, to and from the Mediterranean. In the Marina different boat tours and deep sea-fishing outings can be booked. The new Cultural Centre in which various exhibitions and culturally related events are held during the year is also newly constructed.

Lagos nearby Locations

The small beach village of burgau is very close to Lagos. Across the river from Lagosis Meia Praia, a very long sandy beach sheltered from the north by a gentle. The old fishing village of Praia da Luz now caters to the quieter side of the visitors needs. In the coastal village of Salema there are some small Roman ruins proving the existence of its past life. Vila do Bispo to the west of Lagosis a very small town near to the Sagres area that is the most south-west corner of Europe!The village of Sagres is a must for every visitor to the Algarve. It has very impressive views of towering sheer cliffs.

Praia Da Rocha

Situated at the mouth of the Arade estuary, Praia da Rocha is the Algarve’s best known resort. Its creamy yellow sands and warm crystal clear waters give it the distinction of one of the longest serving tourist resorts. The town’s 2-kilometre-long beach consisting of ochre cliffs and sheltered Atlantic waters is one of the most photographed in Europe, mainly due to its highly architectural rock formations. The soft cliffs along the coast have been moulded into fantastic shapes through hundreds of years of gently lapping water, in the form of pinnacles, buttresses and caves shimmering with reflected light.

Close to the estuary of the River Arade, just 3 km north of Praia da Rocha, is the small fishing port of Portimão which is blessed with a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere and a rich selection of gastronomical delights most notably the fish and seafood restaurants. A short drive west lays the picturesque village of Alvor. The promenade which lies on  Praia da Rocha’s cliff top leads to the Fortaleza de Santa Catarina (The fort of Saint Catherine), built in 1621 to defend Silves and Portimão against opposing fleets and pirates.

The town itself is a vibrant holiday resort with numerous bars, restaurants, night-clubs, souvenir shops, hotels and apartments with a first-class casino located right on the beach.

VILAMOURA

Vilamoura is a lively resort with fantastic amenities. Vilamoura is the name given to an area rather than to any actual town. This resort was purpose built around a grand marina, two sandy beaches which include Falésia this is ideal for a day of relaxation on the beach with its unusual red coloured cliffs as a backdrop.  Also close at hand is Olhos de Água, surrounded on three sides by pine-clad cliffs and noted for its watersports.

The town also has its own beach - Vilamoura beach

The town also boasts five 18 hole golf courses:

Millennium, a new exciting 18 hole course designed by UK architects Hawtree & Sons.

Laguna, the most recent and challenging of the Vilamoura courses, this has three loops of nine holes each that are an enduring test for any player.

Pinhal, in the middle of a beautiful pine wood forest, with panoramic views to the sea.

Old Course, the oldest of the three Vilamoura courses that form part of a luxury resort close to fantastic beaches - a Par 73 course set in beautiful and tranquil landscape. A generous scattering of restaurants, bars and shops are at hand, it is a place for rest and relaxation but the cosmopolitan nightlife also ensures that there is a wide choice for everyone.

There are many places of interest for you to discover some of the most noted are: The cerro da Vila, a museum and archaeological site, of the vilamoura has been occupied for thousands of years by most notably the Romans and then the Moorish, each civilisation has left their distinctive mark.

The shopping centre is a must for boutiques and bargains alike! The huge marina is great for wandering day and night; there are many boat excursions and big game fishing to be taken advantage of. Sandy beaches are on either side of the marina with many bars and cafes’. Vilamoura is especially popular for water sports enthusiasts due to its excellent facilities. There is a large casino with trying even for a flutter. They have nightly cabaret, a cinema and a nightclub all within this facility.

Vilamoura emphasises the Algarves cuisine the regions fish, seafood and shellfish dishes, with a large selection of meat dishes to choose from. Your visit will be lacking if you do not try the regions most delicious dishes.

The Algarve has many small villages and towns most are old fishing villages with spectacular beaches and restaurants. If you prefer the quieter side of life and rest and relaxation is your thing then you may want to try some of the other resorts in the Algarve, Armacao De Pera, carvoeiro, Luz, Tavira are some of the most noted. With there tradional architecture, food and drink and many places of archaeological interest.