The Algarve is known as the southern region of Portugal. One of the most popular European destinations through its 240 kilometers of coastline lined with long flat sandy and rocky shores of beautiful caves drilled. Therefore, Algarve is synonymous with beach tourism and good weather. Its main focus condition of tourism in Portugal over the decades has led to a spectacular development of the Algarve coast in both urban fever in the coastal areas as infrastructure transport. This modernization of the Algarve has provided the beach locations for a wide range of services for tourists (as opposed to other less developed regions of Portugal) but also brought continued development excesses due to the pressures of tourism, especially on the coast from Faro Albufeira. Other areas of the Algarve, by contrast, still retain some of its old charm and have not been so altered. In the Algarve coast is not all the same character:
- To the west of Faro is the Algarve best known: rocky coasts and traveled by hundreds of caves and attractive bays. The most visited city in this region are Lagos and Albufeira. Other destinations are less massive Salema fishing villages, Burgao, Sagres.
- The Atlantic coast of the Algarve offers a less-visited villages and beaches, and therefore less developed. What will be if you prefer a quieter tourism, but are people with less service and ambience. This area is Odeceixe.
- East of Faro we find many islands off the coast almost to the border with Spain. People in this area are also quieter and have preserved their traditional appearance more. If you prefer this area the most common destination is Faro, the capital of the Algarve, or Olhão, Tavira Fuzeta or all with good beach and a good atmosphere.
- The interior is less well known Algarve and lacks the tourist infrastructure of the coast, especially the part closer to Spain, as Alcoutim. Destinations in this area include Estói, Loulé and Silves old. The star tourist area is the Serra de Monchique, where are the highest peaks of the Algarve and where Monchique and Caldas de Monchique spa villa.
All these tours are you can make with your own car, so do not go into many details of transport facilities and other things.
Loulé
This important city is also a pleasant small-scale inland population. The beautiful traditional fireplaces, which adorn many houses in the historic center, is one of the main attractions. Of the wall surrounding the old town in the Muslim period are few traces. But copper workshops, esparto and pottery remaining nearby, are a living legacy of the Arabs. Every Saturday, the market is filled with tourists attracted by the beautiful handicrafts produced here.
Church of São Lourenço dos Matos
This jewel of Baroque is one of the most valuable heritage of the Algarve. The exterior is sober and elegant, and the whitewashed façade contrasts with the profusion of interior color. The chapel is covered with bright tiles surrounding a beautiful golden altarpiece, which is the image of the saint.
Alte
Without doubt, this is one of the most picturesque villages in the region. Its narrow streets and white houses are grouped around the church Nossa Senhora da Assunção, with tiles and a beautiful portal Manueline. The river that runs through the surrounding winds through almond and carob trees.
Sierra Caldeirão
In the north of the Algarve area, bordering the Alentejo, the ripples extend this modest mountain range. Away from the bustle of the coast, here are places still anchored in tradition. The landscape is dominated by forests of eucalyptus, cork oaks and pine trees, and grain fields. Among the hills, will witness the daily lives of its people: the extracting cork, the pastor, the miller or the woman in her garden. The architecture is clearly influenced by Arabic. The whitewashed villages emerge from a rugged landscape, which does not give anything away. Although austere, are decorated with picturesque chimneys, furnaces, roofs and walls that combine simplicity and elegance. Do not hesitate to stop in any of the towns in the area for lunch. Their cheese, wine and sausages are excellent.
Sagres and Cabo São Vicente
Although it is a 1 hour drive, the beauty of the place justifies the journey. This tiny fishing port is located on an impressive cliffs battered by the wind and waves. Connected to the sea forever, here are the main Portuguese navigators who conquered the seas in the sixteenth century. The fort that defended the town is very little for centuries, though the walls of rock falling into the sea in vertical give an idea of what the place impregnable. Nearby appears Cabo São Vicente, located in the southwest point of Europe continental. The Romans believed that this place had the world. The spectacular views and challenging position elements were partly to blame. The wind is usually very strong and the influx of tourists. Every evening, the lighthouse that stands on the tip is filled with people who come to admire the exceptional sunsets.
Lighthouse
Faro is a Portuguese city, capital of the homonymous district, and the Algarve region. It has 58 698 inhabitants and is the head of a municipality with 201.31 km ² (2008). Divided into six parishes (parishes), the district bounded on the north and west to São Brás de Alportel, east to Olhão, Loulé and the west the south by the Atlantic Ocean. On the highway is 278 km and 198 deLisboa Sevilla. Tourist center, has an international airport and a prominent monuments: Iglesia del Carmen, the Gothic Cathedral, the Palace of Docks, walls, plazas, etc. It is also home to the University of the Algarve. Apart from tourism, in Faro economic activities such as fishing, especially tuna canning and export of fruit and cork.
Faro is located next to the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve 170 km ², a leading point of observation of many species of migratory birds.
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The only part of Faro has been frozen in time and has survived the old looting, fever earthquake and construction of the Algarve is the Cidade Velha. This is a piece of historic lighthouse, with pedestrian streets and old painted walls. Entry is through the Arco da Vila, next to the post of tourism. After the Municipality is Rua do Largo da Sé, where we find the cathedral and palaces. The cathedral has largely restored. It has beautiful tile samples of Portuguese and can get a good view of the city if it rises to the top. The Archaeological Museum, next to Praça Afonso III, is installed in a XVI century building. Catalogue of the museum features an incredible third-century Roman mosaic depicting Neptune AC.
South of Ciudad Velha is the Largo de São Francisco. It serves most of the year as a car park but in October cleared in order to receive the Santa Iria da Feira. In the corner is the Igreja da Terceira de São Francisco ordeu. The bay itself can take a stroll along the gardens of Faro and the row of restaurants and cafes in the area. We will find the Maritime Museum, which brings together a collection of objects and local fishing techniques. Into the heart of the city at Praça da Liberdade find the Regional Museum and the twin towers of the Igreja do Carmo, where he has a Capela Ossos made with human bones, similar to the one in Évora. In Largo de São Pedro is the Igreja de São Pedro, a beautiful church.
