ALGARVE CAR RENTAL
LAGOS
The Romans gave, algarve car rental, name of “Lacobriga” to, algarve car rental, town but its natural river port would indicate very much earlier occupation. It was captured from, algarve car rental, Moors in 1189 but it was not until 1249 that it was finally claimed by Dom Afonso III and integrated into, algarve car rental, kingdom of, algarve car rental, Algarve. This historic town has played an important part in, algarve car rental, story of discovery and conquering, Car rental services car rental, rest of, algarve car rental, world. It was from this very harbour that Vasco da Gama sailed in 1499 on his historic and epic discovery voyage. It was, algarve car rental, capital of, algarve car rental, Algarve from 1578 until 1756 and there remain several ancient buildings to testify to its historic glory. From its port maritime expeditions were embarked to discover, algarve car rental, world at, algarve car rental, orders of Prince Henry, algarve car rental, Navigator. Also,, algarve car rental, armada of 800 vessels led by, algarve car rental, ill-fated heir to the throne Dom Sebastião embarked from Lagos in 1578 in its failed attempt to capture the town of Ceuta in Morocco.
Essentially now an important tourist town there are still many architectural signs of its ancient past, even a building dating originally back to around 1445 and is recorded as being Europe’s first building used as a slave-market. The walls of the town are in most parts remaining after areas of restoration. Attached to the famous 17th century "gold" church of Santo António there is a small museum of regional items, 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. None more controversial that the sculpture of Dom Sebastião standing in the main square in front of the faro airport car hire. A more recently erected statue commemorates the Algarve’s only Saint, São Gonçalo de Lagos who was born in 1360 and died in 1422 in Torres Vedras. Pope Pio VI raised him to Sainthood in 1778. The town’s more recently constructed Marina presents a lovely picture and this harbour 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. The municipal council has constructed a modern Cultural Centre in which various exhibitions and culturally related events are held during the year. In the Marina different boat tours and deep sea-fishing outings can be booked.
Lagos - Nearby Locations
Near to Lagos is a small beach village of Burgau. Across the river from Lagos is Meia Praia, a very long sandy beach sheltered from the north by a gentle slope dotted with comfortable villas and holiday resorts. The once upon a time fishing village of Praia da Luz is now devoted to the quieter side of the tourist trade and residents from colder climates. Nearby the coastal village of Salema there are some small Roman ruin proving the existence of its past life. Vila do Bispo to the west of Lagos is a very small administrative town for 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 presents a very impressive dramatic sight of towering sheer cliffs being beaten by the weight of the vast Atlantic Ocean. It is from here that Prince Henry planned his epic shattering voyages. Cape Santo Vicente is the name given to this promontory.
Now we did promise not to bore you with lots of history, but we have to make a little bit of an exception for Lagos.It was from Lagos harbour that Vasco da Gama sailed in 1499 on his historic and epic voyage circumnavigating the world. Lagos was the capital of the Algarve from 1578 until 1756 and several ancient buildings remain to testify to its historic glory. From its Port many maritime expeditions were embarked upon to discover the world at the orders of Prince Henry the Navigator. It is also said that the very first time the famous explorer Columbus from Genoa set foot in the Iberian Peninsular, was when the inhabitants of Lagos saved him and other sailors from his shipwrecked vessel.Lagos still has many architectural signs of its ancient past, even a building dating back to around 1445 which is recorded as being Europe’s first building used as a slave-market. The walls of the town in the most part remain intact and the narrow streets betray the age of the town. A number of these streets are effectively car free and lined with a very good selection of restaurants and bars with a civilised atmosphere – a great place for an evening stroll and let serendipity choose your restaurant.The town’s Marina has been reconstructed and extended. It presents a lovely picture and is practically the first sight a visitor has of Lagos. Lagos has a small town beach just by the Fort. Across the river from Lagos is Meia Praia, a very long sandy beach sheltered to the north by a gentle slope dotted with comfortable villas. Lagos hotels range from charming small, family run establishments in and around the old town to 4 and 5 star international beach hotels located within a couple of miles of Lagos historic town. Shopping in Lagos is very good, with tourist shops, boutiques and a very good monthly market, held on the first Saturday of every month. Local specialities include hand-woven lace. To the west of Lagos the one-time fishing village of Praia da Luz is now devoted to the quieter side of the tourist trade and many residents from the colder northern climates. Near the coastal village of Salema there are some small Roman ruins proving the existence of its past importance. Vila do Bispo to the west of Lagos is a very small administrative town for the Sagres area, the later being the most south-west corner of Europe! This area is a must for every visitor to the Algarve as it presents a very impressive and dramatic sight of towering sheer cliffs being beaten by the weight of the vast Atlantic Ocean. It is from here that Prince Henry sat and planned the several epic voyages of discovery that enlarged the known world of that time. Cape Santo Vicente is the name given to this as it was here that the Saint supposedly landed and resided for a period. To the north of Lagos on the road to Lisbon is the small town of Aljezur with some fine nearby west coast beaches. Originally a hamlet, the Moors constructed a castle in the 10th Century that still stands today overlooking this small town.Lagos itself offers a great selection of good restaurants including a number featuring the fantastic fresh fish of the Atlantic – including the best sardines in the world (author’s opinion!). Apart from the history, the fantastic scenery and the beautiful old town of Lagos, you can hideaway on one of a number of small cove beaches or take a boat to explore the caves, tunnels and weird rock formations of the coast.
ALGARVE MARINAS
Albufeira
A fully fledged Marina is in construction and is scheduled to open in 2002. The entrance will be to the west side of the coastal town of Albufeira and the mooring facilities will be in a sheltered valley protected both from the north and south by rising land.
The town has over years changed from its humble fishing village look into a immense popular holiday destination. Here you will find all the normal day and evening facilities associated with mass tourism but there are some shreds of its quaintness in the older parts.
Alvor
A natural lagoon created by a wide sand bar which has been heightened by sand removed by dredging. Entrance to the lagoon is by a narrow shallow channel which is lined on both sides by independent moles. The depth of this channel is 2 meters but it is recommended that any attempt to pass should be a low tide to establish position of a sand bar within the lagoon lying between this entrance and the mooring area in front of the village of Alvor.
This very old village with its glorious past destroyed in 1755 by an earthquake, it is now more intent in catering to the tourist industry. Happily, the village has maintained some of its own character and is still worth visiting, especially for its range of restaurants.
Baleeira
This anchorage lies just to the east side of the town of Sagres and in the Bay of Martinhal. It is open to the easterly winds but sheltered to those from the north. There is a mole which does provides limited protection from a swell when exposed to the eastern winds coming from the direction of Gibraltar. The harbour area is often quite congested by local fishing and commercial vessels.
The town of Sagres has limited facilities as its popularity tends to be more for a day time visit and not as holiday destination. Close by is the past location of the School of Navigation founded in the 15th Century by “Prince Henry the Navigator”.
Faro
A Marina is in the course of construction and should be ready by next year.