Geographically important as a strategic naval coastline in past times this province was at one time briefly acknowledged as a Kingdom. It has been invaded and fought over by the Phoenicians, car hire Algarve. The port of Lagos was the base for the boats that sailed to discover the world under the guidance of the famous Prince Henry the Navigator. He established his important navigation school in nearby Sagres in the 15th Century for the exploration of the New World.
Algarve Description
The Algarve, algarve car hire, composed of 5.411 square kilometres with approximately 350,000 permanent inhabitants. This figure can swell to well over a million people at the height of the summer. Its administrative centre, algarve car hire, Faro controlling 16 Municipalities, who in turn govern a total of 77 Parishes.
There are about 100 sandy attractive beaches washed by the Atlantic Ocean and due to the maritime shelf and water currents the sea temperature can be surprisingly warm even in some winter months. Located on the tip of Europe with the vast ocean of the Atlantic as its southern and western border, this enviable position gives this region possibly the most unpolluted climate in the European continent.
The length of the south-facing coastline, algarve car hire, approx. 155 kilometres and stretches about 52 kilometres to the north on the west. At the widest point to the north, it, algarve car hire, approximately 36 kilometres deep. Communication, algarve car hire, by road but there, algarve car hire, single-track railway line running from Lagos to Vila Real do Santo António that also links to the line running north to Lisbon. There, algarve car hire, at present no railway line from the Spanish boarder to Seville but are daily coaches run from the Algarve. The old "EN 125" main road that runs along the whole coast and has been suitably replaced by a dual carriageway named the "Via do Infante" or A22. It starts at the border to Spain and stretches along the coast to the western side of Lagos. Near to Albufeira the motorway links with another motorway to Lisbon. There, algarve car hire, one international airport located close to Faro and this conveniently lies in the middle of the Algarve coastline.
The interior from the coast greatly varies in its picturesque appeal due to its variety of fauna, soil and contours. In January and February the coast, algarve car hire, painted white with almond blossom shading the many varieties of wild orchids. In March, the heady perfume of orange blossom mixes with the bloom of acacias. During the month of April the bountiful wild flowers give cause to the delightful music of the many colourful birds. May and June, algarve car hire, the time to see the raw beauty of the striking bare barks of stripped cork trees in contrast to the palette purple of the jacaranda. July, algarve car hire, the time of cherries, strawberries and melons. August and September provide the picking of grapes, figs and almonds. November, algarve car hire, for the gathering of chestnuts for the national festival of São Martinho. Whilst, in December it, algarve car hire, time to start picking the famous sweet juicy Algarve oranges which continue through to March.
Away from the immediate coastal plain are the foothills leading up to the highest point Foia (902 mts.) above the un-spoilt village of Monchique. This mountain area, algarve car hire, well known for the layers of Roman terraces with granite stone walls that provide the stream of local vegetables that can be found on sale in the local market. Also, from this region comes the local brewed drink "Medronho" that, algarve car hire, best drunk in one of the many local taverns.
The lovely old town of Alcoutim lies near the Spanish border and has a natural border with Spain formed by the river Guadiana. A winding road that runs alongside the river offers superb views of the countryside, with its orchards and orange groves. The rural way of life in Alcoutim remains very much unchanged.
The city of Castro Marim, algarve car hire, on the border with Spain. With a historic church, castle and fort, the streets of Castro Marim are lined with houses typical of the architecture of the Algarve. White predominates, broken here and there by ochre and luminous blues. Castro Marim golf, algarve car hire, one of the newest on the Algarve. The city, algarve car hire, also next to a fantastic Salt Marsh Natural Reserve.
Covering an area of 2,089 hectares, with wet areas of salt marsh, salt pans and creeks and dry areas of schist soils, red clay, arenite and sand, the reserve contains a wide variety of biotopes. For most visitors, the reserve's biggest attraction, algarve car hire, undoubtedly the large number of birds - especially aquatic birds - that can be seen there. There are 153 species to spot, including storks, avocets, sand pipers, mallards and the ever popular flamingos.
LOULÉ
Loulé - History
This place is a rural administrative and active market town with some remains of a castle dating back to the 12th Century. The Arab castle has been virtually destroyed leaving some walls still standing that are now surrounded by modern buildings. Like most other towns in the Algarve, most of the older potentially interesting buildings have been destroyed in the earthquake that occurred in 1755.
Loulé - Description
Within the remaining walls is a museum with an explanation of what was in the past the grandeur of the castle. The various earthquakes that the town has suffered through its history have damaged the 13th Century Church of São Clemente. However, its Gothic arches and side chapels are remaining from the 16th Century have survived. The town Loulé consisting of some 20,000 residents and is mainly concerned in producing souvenir products made out of copperware, leather, cane and wood. The weekly Fair attracts tourists from all along the Algarve. Due to the needs of the tourist industry this town has blossomed in size. An important event is the annual Carnival in February that is considered to be one of the best in Portugal. In the town there is a recently opened Museum that is devoted to the local industry of dried fruits and it is interesting to see how these items are prepared for the public. To the west of the town is a hilltop Church that is built on the site of a 16th Century chapel. This is the destination of an annual religious procession that requires some physical effort on the part of the bearers of the church's religious shrines.
Loulé - Nearby Locations
Near to Loulé is Almancil, a small town that acts as a supplier of services to the prosperous holiday areas just south on the coast. Further inland is the small village of Alte, a village that is known for its unspoilt rural architecture and its enthusiasm for folk music. Another inland village is Paderne that has a romantic ruined 13th Century castle sitting alone on the crest of a deserted hilltop. The coastal town of Quarteira that was once a fishing village is now converted into a multi-apartment tourist location. Not too far away is the village of Querença with its stalactite caves; the village of Salir with ruins of a castle and nearby two 800 meters long walls from the Neolithic period. São Brás de Alportel and Santa Bárbara de Nexe, are both small country towns with their essential Portuguese flavour reflecting the rural social style of life. In São Bras de Alportel is an interesting museum that houses a permanent collection of rural artefacts and costumes truly reflecting the past manner and customs of living in the Algarve.
ALMANCIL
Introduction to Almancil
This town has become an important centre for providing supporting services to feed the needs of two nearby stylish well-established holiday and residential developments; Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo. In keeping with the needs of the area there is a good selection of restaurants offering many different forms of cuisine. Also, as to be expected there are a good number of real estate offices, interior decorators and furnishing shops. Close to and going to the east of Almancil is a small place named São Lourenço. The church here is well worth a visit as it is covered inside with beautiful 18th Century ceramic tiles and is an outstanding example in the Algarve. Also, very close by you will find the São Lourenço Cultural Centre that is open to the public. This Centre has been established for many years and mounts regular art exhibitions and music events.
FARO
Faro - History
Faro is the administrative centre for the whole of the Algarve region with a population in excess of 40.000 people. The city has both Arab and Roman ruins but most of the present attractive older buildings were constructed after the disastrous earthquake of 1755 and the earlier one of 1532. The Moors who occupied the place in the 8th Century originally gave to it the name of Ossónoba and developed it into a trading port until 1249 when they were defeated by the forces of Dom Afonso III. With the decline of the importance of the City of Silves this town took over the role of administration of the Algarve area. The Earl of Essex sacked this town in 1596 with his fellow crusaders on their journey to the Holy Land and the collection of books taken from the palace of the Bishop of Faro became part of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, England. Another interesting item is that during the 500 years of Moorish occupation there were some Jewish inhabitants in Faro who were busily printing copies of the Old Testament.
Faro - Description
Particularly attractive is the old part of the city surrounded still by the Roman walls. Inside a spacious open square that once was the site of the Roman Forum is a 13th Century Cathedral that faces the 18th Century Episcopal palace. An interesting building is the neighbouring 16th Century Convent that is now turned into the home of the city’s archaeological museum. Within it is a section devoted to the Arab occupation. The "golden" church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo is claimed to be the best example of gold-leaf woodwork in southern Portugal. It is also contains the macabre spectacle of a chapel lined with the bones from over 1.200 monks! Next to the small boat basin bordering the Praça de Dom Francisco Gomes is a small Naval Museum composed of scale model boats and galleons showing the maritime history of the coast. Much of the city is now composed of apartments and there are many attractive shops and a particularly artistic theatre. Faro is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 17.000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during the spring and autumn migratory periods. The beach is almost 7 kms distant from the city and is a long sandy spit reached by crossing a bridge not far from the International Airport. The municipal council has an active cultural department organizing various events during the year.
Faro - Nearby Locations
Near to Faro is the smaller town of Almancil and nearby can be found the church of São Lourenço de Matos renowned for its 18th Century blue tiles. At the inland village of Estói there are some notable roman ruins of Milreu depicting a home that enjoyed more comforts than some of the newly built villas in today’s world. The well-known developments of Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo, both five star holiday areas are located west of Faro. Together they provide 10 top quality golf courses, tennis centres, riding schools, hotels, holiday resorts and villas.