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Albufeira Information
Located approximately 40 kilometres west of Faro, Albufeira is one
of Portugal's most popular holiday resorts. Even though the
transformation from fishing village to thriving tourist resort has
been swift, Albufeira has managed to retain much of its original
charm. As the sun sets, the centre of the town changes its
character. A plentiful collection of bars, restaurants and clubs
start to fill-up with people, until they spill over into the
narrow streets. A fantastic selection of beautiful beaches extends
east and west from the town. There is a small museum of 15th and
17th century Ming ceramics and a Municipal art gallery that holds
regular exhibitions during the season. A further addition to the
town is a new Virtual Archaeological Museum, and a new Marina is
nearing completion on the west side of the town and will offer a
different and attractive aspect. Other places of interest near to
Albufeira include Paderne with its ruined castle, the impressive
caverns at Ponte Grande, and the underwater caverns of Grutas do
Xorino.
Armacao de Pera Information
Situated half way along the Algarve coast, the original fishing
town has developed into a full -blown resort, which stretches
westward towards Aporchinos. The old part of town still retains
its original charm with narrow cobblestone streets and historic
buildings and this is complemented by 2 newer commercial centres
with shops selling everything from gifts to shoes. The main beach
is long, wide and sandy, and in parts can shelve steeply with some
rough undercurrents, however in high season there is a lifeguard.
Facilities are plentiful here and there are 2 other smaller coves
in the area, which are worth a visit. Approximately 3 miles west
towards Quarteira, there is a water park for family fun. In the
centre of the resort is an extensive choice of traditional and
international restaurants, many specialising in fresh fish and
seafood. At night there are plenty of bars and discos to
entertain, and the larger hotels usually have some form of
entertainment including shows and live music. There is a good
public bus service in either direction, and the other villages
such as Carvoiero are well worth a visit.
Tavira Information The
fairly undeveloped area of Tavira straddles both sides of the
River Gilâo and is located in the Southeast corner of the Algarve
approximately 20 miles east of Faro. Probably the most picturesque
town in the Algarve with a cosmopolitan atmosphere, Tavira is one
of the main historic centres of the region, its past stretching
back as far as Roman times. Many of the buildings are from the
c18th when the town was rebuilt after an earthquake and include no
less than 27 churches. Originally just a fishing town, Tavira has
developed its tourism in recent years due to the unspoilt
surroundings and the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, as well as the
fine beach at Ilha de Tavira. This wide, sand dune backed beach is
accessible from the town centre by boat or mini-train from Pedras
del Rei. The adjoining and peaceful Cabanas Beach and Barril
Island are reachable only by bridge or boat but all these sandy
beaches have good amenities. Tavira has some quite good shopping
facilities, with stores selling a range of souvenirs made from the
local cork, lace and seashells. The "Old Market" is a commercial
centre selling local handicrafts and once a month there is a large
street market. Fresh fish and seafood eateries abound and are well
worth sampling during your stay. Nightlife is low key and mainly
provided by the hotels, although there is one night -club for
night owls. A regular bus operates into Faro or Vila Real, but to
really explore the area, car hire is recommended.
Vilamoura Information
The sophisticated resort of Vilamoura has it all with its
excellent sports facilities, long sandy beach and varied shopping
and dining. The 5 mile long beach at Falesia has excellent
facilities including changing rooms and children's playground,
plus a variety of watersports including paragliding. This modern
resort centred on the sophisticated marina and casino, is just 22
kilometres west of Faro. Vilamoura is the name given to the area
which originally encompassed just 177 acres, but has now grown in
both directions. This outstanding location is one of the largest
single tourist complexes in Europe. The land is flat and has mixed
vegetation, some parts covered in pine forests whilst others open
recovered marshland- the whole area being encompassed by 3
championship golf courses. The company that owns this complex is
extremely environmentally conscious and every effort is being made
to protect nature within its continued planned development. As a
location specifically designed for tourism, Vilamoura has proved
to be a very successful destination for all ages due to the
variety of facilities and activities that it provides it's
visitors. At night, there are a number of discotheques and bars
prviding live music, and of course theres always the thrill of the
gaming tables in the casino!
Alvor Information
Situated towards the west end of the Algarve, on the bank of a
deep river estuary inlet, which is home to one of Portugal's most
valued bird sanctuaries. Alvor is approx. 65 kms from Faro.
Originally a Roman settlement, Alvor was a small fishing village
before it was discovered and has remained generally less
commercialised than many other resorts in the region. The narrow
streets of the old village are lined with traditional fishermen's
cottages alongside numerous bars and a few restaurants, which
mainly serve traditional cuisine. The main beach at Alvor,
sometimes knows as Torralta, is long, wide, straight and sandy.
Backed by dunes it offers plenty of facilities. Tres Irmaos Beach,
slightly further east, is mostly backed by cliffs with huge rocks
scattered along the shoreline and offers basic tourist facilities
like sunbeds, parasols, restaurant and bar. There is a regular bus
service into Praia da Rocha and Portimao where you will find a
greater choice of shops, bars and discos. Alvor has wide appeal
particularly for golfers and water-sports enthusiasts, and it is
also attractive to those seeking a quieter beach holiday.
Carvoeiro Information
Situated about 56 kms from Faro, Carvoeiro is still predominantly
a fishing village, retaining much of its original charm. The main
beach of Carvoeiro is medium-sized and sandy with a rocky
shoreline with a cliff backdrop in parts. The general facilities
are good, but with limited watersports. There are plenty of
restaurants with varied cuisine; caldeirada, a fish stew, is a
local speciality. Carvoeiro offers several good food shops and
there is a daily market in Lagoa approx. 4 kms away. Surprisingly,
for such a small town, there are a good number of bars, some of
which feature live entertainment. There is a fairly regular bus
service to Lagos where there are connections to the major resorts
and car hire and taxis are available from the Market Square.
Numerous half day and full day excursions are available including
Cape St Vincent, Monchique, and Silves castle, whilst boat trips
are available from both Praia da Rocha and Portimao. Carvoeiro is
ideal for families and couples offering a relaxing holiday in
beautiful surroundings. |
