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Resort Guides
Albufeira
Albufeira is famed for its beaches, countless shades and tones of its rocks and cliffs. There are numerous good beaches which extend east and west from the town. Divided into two areas with distinct characteristics there is a wonderful Old Town perched on a cliff, with cobbled streets tumbling down the hillside to the famous Fisherman Beach. The new town, flanked by a large stretch of sandy beach, comes alive at sundown with a healthy selection of up tempo bars and discos, as know as The Strip. This is where people sunbathe during the day and at sunset flock to enjoy the restaurants, bars and discos that continue through the night-time hours. There is a municipal art gallery that holds regular exhibtions. There is also a new archaeological museum and marina located on the west side of the town. Year round warm weather also makes Albufeira the ideal location for sports training, with several quality facilities available.
Transfer approximately 40 mins and 28 GBP from Faro airport.
Alvor
Alvor is a tiny fishing village, boasting one of the finest beaches on the Algarve that stretches for over 6 kms, offering all types of water sports. The old village of Alvor is set in picturesque surroundings with narrow and winding streets. There is a choice of a long open sandy beach or a number of small coves tucked under the cliffs. There is a superb number of top quality traditional restaurants on the old fishing quay, along with cafes and bars with live music. In the area are a number of holiday resorts from which the tourists enjoy visiting the town and its attractions. The area attracts watersports enthusiasts, golfers and those holidaymakers wanting a quieter beach holiday.
Transfer approximately 1 hour and 41 GBP from Faro airport.
Carvoeiro
The village of Carvoeiro is tucked away in between high cliffs which rise steeply from the tiny square and delightful beach. Buzzing in the summer but pleasantly subdued in winter time, Carvoeiro has a number of fine restaurants and some friendly bars, plus several stunningly beautiful beaches in the vicinity. You can walk directly onto the beach from the village and this is an ideal location for combining a relaxing holiday with plenty of nightlife. Great for familes who want to relax in a pretty location. The one and only village street has now become three, each lined with bars, smart restaurants and tourist shops. A 36-Hole Golf & Holiday Complex can be found to the west of the village together with a well run Tennis Centre. To the east and on the outskirts is a further 9-Hole Course. A couple of Lawn Bowling Clubs add to the choice of sport.
Transfer approximately 50 mins and 35 GBP from Faro airport.
Lagos
Lagos is without question the most interesting town on the Algarve coast, offering not only great beaches nearby but also a real history and a pretty town with varied and sophisticated bars and restaurants. There are plenty of sights to take in at Lagos, the decor of carved cherubs wrestling with gilded animals and fish at the 18th century Baroque Chapel of Santo Antonio, or explore the combination of old and new Portugal around the natural harbour with the 17th century fort guarding the entrance. Lagos is packed with restaurants, and the row of excellent fish restaurants beside the seafood and vegetable market is well worth checking out. If you like shopping you will love Lagos. From ceramics to fashions, leather goods to exotic gifts it has it all.
Transfer approximately 1 hour 20 mins and 50 GBP from Faro airport.
Montegordo
Monte Gordo is close to the mouth of the River Guardiana, just 2 miles west of the Spanish border, on the eastern Algarve coast, 33 miles east of Faro airportMontegordo is a pretty, relaxing resort with bags of character. This former fishing village boasts a fabulous beach and plenty of bars and restaurants. Monte Gordo holiday nightlife centres on the long beach promenade with its seafront restaurants and pavement terraces. Monte Gordo still has a working fishing harbour, ensuring plenty of locally-caught fish and seafood. There are plenty of bars and at least one disco for a big night out. Monte Gordo holidays are not complete without a visit to its modern stylish casino with its ballroom and live shows. Nature lovers and sun worshippers will be in their element here.
Montechoro
Montechoro is a mile from Praia Da Oura beach, at the top of a rise. Montechoro is also the start of the strip the road leading down to the beach You will never run out of options when it comes to eating and drinking in Montechoro. Montechoro is a buzzing resort within Albufeira, offering excellent nightlife with, cafes, bars, restaurants discos and nightlife to match everyone's taste. The golden sands of Praia da Oura beach are a short walk away. For the more energetic a selection of Tennis Courts are available. The main shopping street, affectionately known locally as 'The Strip' stretches for 2km from the Montechoro area of the resort down to the beach.
Transfers approximately 40 mins from Faro airport.
Praia Da Rocha
Praia da Rocha is a modern, high-rise resort stretching along the cliff-top overlooking its huge expanse of sandy beach and curiously shaped rocks from which its name derives. Along the promenade a great variety of hotels, apartments, cafe-bars, restaurants and shops offer something for everyone, whilst 2 kilometres away is the bustling town of portimao, the Algarves main fishing port, where delicious, freshly grilled sardines can be eaten and washed down with strong red wine. The town is reputed for its nightlife, bars, restaurants and discos, you can enjoy the quietness of the area while keeping the animated centre and shopping area at a walking distance. It is also a popular shopping venue where some of the best value products of the region can be found.
Transfers approximately 1 hour from Faro airport.
Quarteira
Quarteira, is located to the east of Vilamoura about 15 miles to the west of Faro airport. With safe swimming conditions and a long, sandy beach running virtually all the way to Faro, Quarteira it is a popular beach holiday destination in the summer months, as well as golfers during the spring, autumn and winter seasons. Quarteira beach has lots of sunbeds and sunshades and there are plenty of cafes and bars nearby. Golfers who don't want to pay the high rates at Vale do Lobo or Vilamoura (both of which have 18-hole courses) can stay inexpensively in Quarteira. The courses are only a 10-minute drive away, and Quarteira lies about 11km (6 3/4 miles) from the Faro airport. Quarteira has a long seafront promenade, sheltered by palm trees with flowering plants. In the evening, this pleasant walk has an endless stream of holiday visitors examining the restaurant menus and the freshly caught fish.
Transfers approximately 30 mins from Faro airport.
Vilamoura
Vilamoura is the name given to an area rather than to any actual town. It is outstanding in that it is one of the largest single tourist complex in Europe and covers some 2.000 hectares of land. Some parts of the Vilamoura are covered in pine forests whilst others open recovered marshland. Vilamoura is a special place, a unique leisure and recreation resort community where the pace of life is so easy it feels like summer all year round. Vilamoura is ideally located, features a wide choice of prime accommodation, it is bursting with sporting and leisure facilities for the whole family. The magnificent marina is the focal point of the resort, with its dazzling array of international yachts, chic boutiques and trendy cafes.
Transfers approximately 30 mins from Faro airport.
Weather in The Algarve
The Algarve has year round blue skies, sunshine and warm temperatures, It has approximately 300 days of sunshine. The summer months from June to September, have endless days of sunshine. Temperatures can easily reach above 30 degrees centigrade and the sunshine lasts long into the autumn. The days are generally long and extremely dry. Evenings are cooler and winter nights are cooler yet. Even in the winter, the Algarve is, one of the sunniest spots in Europe but is the rainiest time of the year for Portugal. The Algarve boasts more sunshine hours than California. Portugal is the only European country to get both Mediterranean and Atlantic climates.
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Algarve
Beaches
There many popular sandy beaches in the Algarve, you will find amongst them a high-quality selection on which to enjoy your holiday. The Algarve has 200km of coastline featuring all sorts of fossil filled cliffs, caves and rocks. The southern coast is busier and better known for its beaches. The beaches vary from the small sheltered sands covered by beautiful cliff tops and rocks, to endless stretches of sea washed sand. Some beaches are not directly accessible from the towns, only by sea, but are very worthwhile to take time to visit. "Praia" mean "beach" in Portuguese, you will usually see this sign posted near a beach resort. Sea beds near the sea vary from comfortable shallow ramps to sudden drops. The coastline running from the west point of Sagres up to the north is open to the winds and Atlantic Ocean waves. The west normally presents different conditions to those found on the same day along the southern coastline. This area has a rugged atmosphere and the at times the winds can be sharp. The eastern coasts beaches are generally much flatter than the rest and have small sandy islands where swimsuits are optional! The sea can be choppy with big waves and often combined with a dangerous fast undercurrent. All main beaches have lifeguards on safety patrol. Many beaches offer all the usual water sports facilities along with restaurants and snack bars.
Beaches Ideal for families with children are "Praia Verde", "Praia Da Arrifana" and "Praia Do Barril". As the beginning of the shores tend to be shallow and do not get steep quickly. The beaches are clear and clean so children will be less likely to step on any thing hard or sharp.
Nature lovers and those of you who enjoy exploring the beautiful scenery of the Algarve, then the beaches "Praia Da Bodeira", "Praia Ilha De Tavira", "Meia Praia" and "Praia Da Falesia" are the beaches for you. They capture many of Algraves most beautiful mountains situated around the beaches and you may even find animals if you look carefully.
If you enjoy interacting with other people and having fun, then the beaches to visit are "Praia Da Ilha De Faro" and "Praia Da Rocha" as they are the liveliest beaches in Algarve. These beaches are Algarves most popular as they have plenty of water sports to keep you busy and plenty of restaurants that cater for all tastes.
If you are seeking relaxation on a secluded beach then the "Praia Da Armona" has limited visitors, due to the fact that this beach can only be reached by ferry and stands on its own. Most of the other beaches follow on from each other and have many attractions nearby but all you will find in Praia Da Armona is one or two facilities as it is a very quiet and peaceful place.
Top Attractions of the Area
Costa Vincentina National Park - One of the most picturesque sections of Portugal is along this section of the rugged Atlantic coast that comprises the Costa Vincentina National Park. It extends along the Algarvian and Alentejanian coast for 150 km between the Counties of Vila do Bispo and Sines. This area of protected landscape is known for its unexplored countryside, where the sea and the mountains combine to an stunning natural monument. The natural beauty of its beaches, and the high cliffs in direct contact with the sea, are the most popular attractions of this area. The Arab castle has been virtually destroyed leaving some walls still standing that are now surrounded by modern buildings. The various earthquakes that Portugal has suffered through its history have damaged the 13th Century Church of São Clemente. However, its Gothic arches and side chapels from the 16th Century have survived.
Evora & Chapel of Bones (Capela de Ossos) - The Igreja Real de São Francisco (Royal Church of St. Francis) in Évora is home to the ghoulish Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones). The walls of this macabre room in The Capela dos Ossos are lined with bones and skulls laid out in creative patterns. The chancel walls and central pillars are artfully lined with human skulls and other parts of skeletons, held together by cement. The Capela dos Ossos was built by 16th-century monks who wanted to communicate the message of the temporary span of life. Over the door is a painted message: Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos: "Our bones that are here await yours!" The number of skeletons used in the chapel has been estimated at 5,000. The bones of the monks responsible for the decoration are in a small white coffin inside the chapel. Évora is the capital of the province of Alentejo a "museum town". Évora is a city of about 50,000 people in southern Portugal. There are several sites of religious interest in Évora including a cathedral, a Roman temple, a Franciscan chapel decorated with human bones, and a nearby stone circle.
Forteleza de Sagres - the Fortress of Sagres & Henry the Navigator - The landscape changes, the vegetation becomes coarse and low and the fig trees hug the ground for protection from the inevitable wind. Sagres entered into history in the 4th millennium B.C. This was the last sheltered port where shipping from the Levant could put into before setting off in to the Atlantic. The crews would climb the promontory to consult the gods and make vows, turning the promontory into a point of reference for seafarers. Considerable erosion and the course of history have left few remains of the original settlement. Recently constructed buildings, which sought to transform the space within the fortress, house an exhibition centre and services for visitors although this architectural intervention has caused controversy. The sheer beauty of the coastline, the waves crashing against the cliffs and the starkness of the landscape is breathtaking. If for no other reason than this, the Forteleza de Sagres and the promontory on which it sits is worthy of visiting. Look out for the fisherman perched on the cliff-tops some 50 - 80 plus feet up - plenty of fish is caught here.
Loule & Loule Castle - Loule, is a vibrant typical market town set in almond-covered foothills. As you stroll around the narrow, cobbled streets, you will come across dimly lit workshops. Visit Loule in February for its exciting carnival. People from all over the Algarve meet on the town for float and fancy-dress parades, general high-spirits and fireworks. The annual Carnival with its colourful demonstration around the centre of the city is considered one of the best in Portugal. A handicraft fair is held each August, and every Saturday Loule holds a gypsy market. Castelo de Loule (Loule Castle) lies in the town of Loule in the Algarve province in Portugal. The buildings on the castle grounds, built against the walls are now being used as a little archaeological museum and the public library. The three towers and the connecting walls can be visited, free of charge, during the daytime. The rooms inside these towers can not be entered but can be viewed through glass doors. The town's landmark is the market hall (Mercado municipal) which re-opened in early 2007 after a long period of renovation.
Monchique - Located approximately 25km north of Portimao, Monchique is the main town of the Serra da Monchique mountain range. Monchique is famous for the natural spring water which flows from the hills and through the town where it is bottled at nearby Caldas de Monchique and sold throughout the Algarve. Cafes, shops and art galleries surround the square, selling local crafts and produce including the local spirit Medronho made by distilling the fermented fruits of the strawberry tree. A walk through the narrow cobbled streets will take you to the parish church decorated with ornate 16th century carvings and a remarkable Manueline doorway. This roofless building has terrific views over Monchique and the surrounding woodland. The 16th Century Parish Church has excellent examples of Manueline craftsmanship around its doorway. Foia and its sister mountain of Picota at 774 metres provide dramatic views of the coastal plain to the south and to the western Atlantic coast. The air is fresh and many activities take place on the unaltered Monchique range of hills: guided walks, horse riding, flower and bird watchers, mountain biking, Yoga, meditation and aromatherapy.
Silves - Silves is known throughout Portugal due to being one of the best citrus growing areas which makes it a very beautiful area to visit. It is worth finding somewhere to try the local fruit which is famed all over Portugal. Due to most of the town buildings being destroyed during an earthquake in 1755 tourist have another reason for visiting Silves. There are two main historical attractions in Silves which include the 13th Century red and white Cathedral and the remarkable remains of the castle. You can see examples if history from different eras and civilizations including Moors, Roman, Gothic & Arab. These all add to the distinctiveness and contrast of the history visible in Silves. The castle itself can be seen from a far due to its striking red sandstone. Another attraction which today is till in use is their underground water reservoirs.
Tavira - The town of Tavira dates back to around 2,000 BC and has seen many changes over the years. It is one of the prettiest towns in the Algarve with many beautiful things to see. Whilst spending a day in Tavira you can see many stunning medieval houses with Gothic windows and an array of no less than 37 churches from different centuries. The church of Santa Maria do Castelo houses the tombs of Dom Paio Peres Correia and his seven knights who were killed during a truce in 1242. The town is linked together through a Roman bridge with the River Gilão running underneath.
Shopping
There are numerous shopping centres all over the region of the Algarve including The Algarve Shopping Centre in Guia which is the largest shopping centre under one roof in Europe. It has an excellent range of over 100 popular shops, a multiplex cinema and an impressive range of cafes and restaurants on its top floor. There is a crèche on the first floor available for use at 3.50 euros per hour. You are able to hire a range of pushchairs, pedal cars and various other toys.
The Algarve is famous for its hand painted tiles and pottery which are often brought as souvenirs by tourists. The Casa Algarve is commonly known as the best place to buy hand made tiles and pottery.
Supermarkets such as "Modelo" and "Lidl" are located all over the Algarve. Clothes shops such as Zara and Massimo Dutti are good for visiting because the products are usually cheaper than they are in the UK. Small businesses and shops are normally open from 9am-7pm and they usually close for an hour at lunch time.
The Forum Algarve shopping centre in Faro has an excellent selection of recognisable shops including "Zara" and "Levis", many parking facilities including disabled facilities and a multiplex cinema. The shops are spread out over two floors and there is a large hypermarket on the ground floor. Pushchairs, family toilets, baby changing facilities and highchairs are all available for use at no cost. The shops are open everyday between 9am-11pm in the summer and leading up to Christmas they are open until midnight.
The Algarve is the ideal place to have a wander and look around the markets, most towns and villages have their own. There are weekly markets of all varities including gypsy markets which are held regularly all over the Algarve. There is a huge variety of goods on offer, especially handicraft made from wicker, wood and ceramics as well as household items. Popular markets are Quarteira Market and Loule
Quateira market is held in the beautiful town of Quarteira, with seafront walkways and busy fish markets no wonder this is a popular gypsy market location. It is said that the best goods to buy are cotton goods, footwear and pottery. It is usually held every Wednesday with two exceptions, Christmas day and New Years day. Quarteira is adjacent to Vilamoura and is about a half hour drive from Praia da Oura.
Loule is the busiest inland town. Loule hosts a typical Portuguese market, with the country men and women selling fish, fruits and fresh vegetables. There are craftsmen, coppersmiths, basket and harness makers demonstrating their skills. It is a great place to have fun browsing the stalls for a great bargain. It is held every Saturday but is not held on Christmas day and New Years day.
Getting Around
Transport links around the Algarve are very good by both road and rail. There are many options to choose from, all of which are reasonably priced and fairly reliable. Thanks to the Algarve's beautiful weather and scenery walking or cycling can be an enjoyable form of transport. Bikes can be rented locally, always ask your hotel reception, tourist office or hire company for suggested routes/trails.
Car
In order to see all of the wonderful sights of the Algarve at your own leisure then your best option is to hire a car. There are numerous car rental companies all over the region so it is worth shopping around for the best price. Car hire can be booked in the UK so that it is there ready and waiting for you when you arrive. The Algarve has a superb network of motorways and main roads making it very easy to get to your chosen destination or attraction. To rent a car you will need a valid driving licence, passport and you need to be 21 years of age or over.
Taxi
Taxis are also a good way to see what Algarve has to offer. Taxis are generally black and green or beige in colour or you can recognise them by the "TAXI" sign on top. Taxis are available almost everywhere and generally have reasonable charge rates. In most tourist resorts the local taxi firm will have a number of taxi ranks or you can just flag one down on the road, just make sure their light is on. As with any foreign destination it is best to agree a rate before you get in the taxi.
Bus/Coach
Bus is a popular form of transport in the Algarve, in general they are very clean and comfy but in the evening and in more remote areas can be unreliable. Bus timetables are available at bus stations and in some shops. Coach routes can be used to plan days out especially for longer distances or between major towns and resorts.
Train
Taking the train in the Algarve is relatively inexpensive, reliable and is a great way to view the beautiful landscape. Portuguese trains (Comboios de Portugal) are well known for being punctual. Depending on your budget it is worth asking for the price to upgrade to 1st class which have air-conditioning and soft reclining seats. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office of the station and at the automatic selling machines.
Nightlife
Nightlife in Algarve really is something extraordinary with a variety of things to do, with restaurants, bars, discos, casinos, beach parties and live entertainment, there's always something to do in an evening. You will find a greater choice of places to go out in the larger, more tourist-centred resorts, but even in the smaller places you can find many restaurants or cafe-bars to grace with your presence.
Relax in Lagos, Luz and Carvoeiro
If you prefer quieter evenings, somewhere like Lagos is the place you want to go, Luz or Carvoeiro. Lagos has a incredible marina and the main town has plenty of bars, cafes, restaurants and a disco. The main square, Praça de Gil Eanes, is often the center of activity in Lagos and you'll often find that there is live entertainment of some kind on. Luz has a nice little cluster of bars and restaurants to the back of the beach. Carvoeiro has a lovely main street, which is lined either side with bars, restaurants, cafes and shops. There are so many places to choose from that you could go somewhere different for each night of your holiday!
Glam it up in Vilamoura
For a touch of glamour, why not think about going to Vilamoura marina? It's a beautiful 1000-beth marina, with some rather nice 'boats' moored up for you to admire. There are plenty of really nice bars and restaurants, so you can spend the whole evening there. Luis Figo even has a bar at the marina, Bar Sete (Bar Seven), where you can see lots of football memorabilia and perhaps even rub shoulders with some players. You may possibly also fancy an evening in Casino de Vilamoura, where you can place a few bets and enjoy a night of glamour. Vilamoura also has plenty of bars and clubs surrounding the marina, ranging from a jazz club to a fashionable rave clubs.
Romance in Tavira
Tavira is a fantastically elegant fishing town and is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic break. It is a very calm, culturally rich and tradtional town, with some of the finest churches in the Algarve, a popular indoor market and a beautiful stretch of bars, cafes and restaurants looking out over the Gilão River. At night you can wander around at your leisure, enjoy the offerings of an increasingly diversified night with popular culture shows, theatre shows, dancing, modern and classical music performances and cinema.
Party the night away in Albufeira and Praia da Rocha
If you do really like to party then you'd probably like Albufeira or Praia da Rocha. These two resorts are totally geared for evenings out, with Albufeira boasting a magnitude of bars down the famous 'strip' and it has the popular 'Kiss' nightclub. The activity in Praia da Rocha is centred around Avenida Tomás Cabreira, the street behind the beach, because it is filled with restaurants and bars, and there's also a casino there.
Eating Out
The Algarve has a great choice of food that suits everybody's taste. Nights out can be spent in some of the most exhilarating restaurants located all over the region. Generally the prices are very reasonable, the food is good and the staff are extremely welcoming. On average a 2-course meal for 2, including house wine, can cost less than €25. All restaurants allow children, and although there may not be a special children's menu, they are always catered for
There is more than 200km of coastline, therefore its not surprising that fish and seafood is a main part of traditional Portuguese dishes. There are daily fishing trips that generally bring in huge amounts of fresh sardines, tuna, bream, cod, monkfish and many others. Numerous supplies of clams, oysters, prawns, octopus and squid are also brought in. This being the reason why there are so many restaurants dedicated to cooking freshly caught fish along Algarves coastline.
Traditional Portuguese restaurants generally offer a variety of fish dishes, grilled sardines, served with boiled potatoes and vegetables or salad is almost certain to be one of them. Portugal cusine is famous for its soups in which bread and herbs create spectacular results. Salted codfish, known as bacalhua in Portuguese, is a characteristic dish throughout the whole country all year round. The tradition of smoked meats and cheeses are a common dish throughout Portugal. Some confectionary dishes and cakes give Portuguese food a sublime image, one of these being pasties de nata found throughout the country. Another permanent tradition is wine, which perfectly accompanies every table in every region of Portugal.
Traditional Portuguese restaurants can be restricted so you won't find many local vegetarians currently in the Algarve and the understanding of vegetarianism has only really been introduced by tourists over recent years. Although most of the local restaurants do offer vegetable soup, olives, omelets and salads, this can obviously get a little restrictive if you are staying for a week or longer. Most restaurants will happily prepare you a vegetarian dish. If you fancy a bit of variety, try restaurants offering international cuisine. The Algarve has lots of Chinese, Indian, Italian and Mediterranean restaurants to choose from and they can be great for different vegetarian options. For vegans, it can be very difficult (or certainly restrictive) to eat out in the Algarve, most dishes include cheese and eggs and it's hard to escape foods with any diary products in them, so you'll often be faced with the single option of a green salad.
Sports
The Algarve has numerous sports and facilities available all over the region. The most popular of these being: golf, tennis, horse riding, diving, cycling, canoeing, paint balling, trekking, sport fishing, surfing/windsurfing and sailing.
Watersports
The Algarve area abounds in water sports and activities: wind surfing, surfing, kite-surfing, body (boogie) boarding, diving, snorkelling etc. can all be pursued with a vengeance! And if wind surfing there is now wind surfing schools around Algarve. The majority of watersports are available on the larger beaches in each resorts, these will vary on both availability and costs. Meia Praia at Lagos and Praia da Luz both have watersports activity centres.
Golf
The Algarve now boasts over 30 golf courses, with more opening soon. They are mainly concentrated in the central area of the Algarve, with golfers finding accommodation in the Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura and Albufeira areas. Some courses are located in the Western Algarve near to Portimao and Lagos, such as Penina, Palmares and Parque Floresta, but are still within 45 minutes drive from Vilamoura and are well worth a day trip to play. Quinta do Lago is home to the fabulous San Lorenzo course, voted second best in Europe. Just over the border in Andalucia in Spain, there are two more courses which have become very popular with golfers. Islantilla and Isla Canela. You can play these courses whilst staying in the Algarve as they are only approximately one hour's drive from Vilamoura.
Horse Riding
The variable terrain of the Algarve provides a very varied selection for hacking. In the area of Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago the soft sandy soil through enchanting pinewoods makes for a very comfortable ride. The inland region of Silves provides small valleys and tracks that take the rider into charming countryside or further up into the dense eucalyptus forests. To the west of Portimão there are seemingly endless rides into virtually uninhabited areas with open rolling hills. A trip further north into the Alentejo region around Évora provides the rider with the the freedom of long open countryside riding.
Fishing
The whole of the coast of Aljezur municipality is a paradise for sports anglers who dream of landing big fish. The waters there teem with sea bass, dory, conger eels, snook, sea bream and many other species of fish, all waiting to provide subject matter for tall tales told at nightfall, among friends, over a glass or two of local wine. Baia dos Tiros, Samouqueira, Esteveira, Vale dos Homens, Carriagem, Pipa, Fonte Santa, Atalaia, Canal, Vale Figueiras, Bordeira, Pontal and Amado are among the most famous fishing grounds.
Tennis
The Algarve has a climate that allows players to be on the court the majority of the year. Tennis is probably the third most practiced sport in the country with active clubs in all major cities and most towns. Along the length of the Algarve coast visitors will find there are a number of enthusiastic tennis clubs with good professional multilingual coaches. The clubs provide all levels of coaching to all ages and when applicable encourage visitors to participate in local club competitions. The coaches are great and help you improve your tennis at very reasonable prices. Booking in advance is advised if you are going in peak season, including half-term weeks.
For the Family
Portugal offers plenty of theme parks and fun things to do for the family. There are some great water parks and zoos across Portugal and they are easily accessible by public transport.
Omega Parque
Omega Parque is a small zoo in Monchique holding threatened species. There are loads of attractive animals to see from birds to spider monkeys and lions.
ZooMarine
ZooMarine in Albufeira is the most well known theme park; it is open all year round and is an excellent day out for all the family, there is plenty going on with dolphin, sea lion and seal shows, rides, a zoo and an aquarium with many sea creatures and tiger sharks to see. There are also regular parrot shows and a play are for the kids.
Krazy World
Krazy World is also very popular with families and there's a load to with a swimming pool, mini golf, crocodile park, quad bike and pony rides and many other attractions. Children will have the chance to pet the animals at the petting farm. During the summer months there are live animals shows.
Slide and Splash Aqua Park
Slide and Splash Aqua Park in Lagoa has a great variety of rides and slides for all ages and even a jacuzzi. The park is one of the highest rated in the Algarve. There are places to get refreshments and a large area where you can eat a picnic or relax.
Almancil Karting
Almancil has a fantastic go karting track suitable for all the family it is surrounded by a 'Western' Theme park with cafeteria.
La Paella Restaurant is located on the complex and is a pleasant place to eat a nice lunch or dinner. There are circuits available for all ages. Bungee jumping is also available.
Lagos Zoo
There is loads to see at Lagos Zoo, it is popular with young children, especially the farm area which has sheep, goats, ponies, ducks and chickens. Children can get close to the animals and can touch them, if they want to. There is a restaurant, snack bar, shop and a playground. It's a great place for a family day out.
As well as cooling down at one of the many water-parks or visiting one of the zoo's, try horse riding or a fun boat-trip dolphin watching. You will find something to suit everyone.
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