TRAVEL TIPS
ALGARVE
OVERVIEW VISÃO GERAL TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTE ATTRACTIONS ATRAÇÕES WHERE COMPRAS TO STAY ONDE WHERE FICAR TO EAT ONDE SHOPPING COMER
OVERVIEW Situated in southern Portugal, the Algarve
destination, richly endowed with the natural
is one of the most beautiful regions in the
beauty of the Algarve distributed across the
world. Stretching out for more than 200
coast, the mountain ranges and the limestone
km, its coastline takes in beautiful beaches,
“Barrocal” zone.
nature reserves, golf courses, historical cities, picturesque villages and a variety of tourist
The architecture of Algarve houses with their
attractions. It is considered one of Portugal’s
colourful parapets and chimneys, the bell-
best tourist regions. Its climate is tropical
towers of churches and museums, all illustrate
with Mediterranean influences, featuring long
the originality of Algarve culture.
summers and mild winters. The capital city of the region, Faro, is home The Algarve is divided into 16 municipalities
to some fascinating Medieval Portuguese
and counties: Aljezur, Vila do Bispo, Lagos,
architecture in addition to an international
Portimão, Lagoa, Monchique, Silves, Albufeira,
airport which is located close the main resorts.
Faro, Loulé, São Brás de Alportel, Olhão, Tavira, Vila Real de Santo António, Castro Marim and
Due to its geographical location, the Algarve
Alcoutim. Each county is an important tourist
climate is influenced by southern European
DUFRY TRAVEL TIPS ALGARVE
and North African weather conditions and by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The climate and temperatures remain pleasant all year round in the Algarve – they range between 15° C and 35° C. Its climate is one of the best in Europe and it is considered. Hence, Algarve the ideal place to take a holiday. Though tourists can visit the Algarve at any time of the year, summer is the best time to discover its beaches because of the great number of special attractions to be found in July and September, including the International Sand Sculpture Festival which features a different theme each year, the Olhos de Água Sardine Festival and the Festival Verão Azul, or Blue Summer Festival, among many others. Explore the Algarve and discover its charms. It is a tourist destination that offers a wealth of natural beauty, in addition to history, cultural traditions, sports, a pleasant climate and unforgettable experiences.
TRANSPORT Various means of transport are on hand to explore the Algarve’s most beautiful areas. The best option is to rent a car, but many trips can be undertaken by bus and cities can be reached by train.
BY CAR The best option for getting around in the Algarve is to rent a vehicle from a reputable car hire firm. Most companies offer new cars and current models for hire. Motorists must
be at least 21 years of age to rent a car in the Algarve. Insurance to cover theft and accidents is optional.
ATTRACTIONS
BY BUS
Get ready to discover the wonderful beaches
Buses are a practical, inexpensive and
and attractions that the Algarve has to offer
comfortable way to travel around the Algarve region. All buses display their destination at the front. You can find timetables on the EVA bus
its visitors. Enjoy the pleasant climate of its beaches and
service’s website.
take the opportunity to try some sports, take
BY TRAIN
in seafront restaurants or dance in fashionable
The railway network is called “Comboios de
nightclubs.
Portugal”. Trains are a fast, comfortable and inexpensive way to explore the Algarve region. Train journeys feature some magnificent landscapes, such as the mountains and valleys of Baixo Alejo. It is the best transport option for travelling from Lisbon to the Algarve.
walks, visit historical sites, go shopping, dine
PRAIA DA FALÉSIA Situated in the Vilamoura region, the beach at Praia da Falésia is well known for its beautiful stretch of golden sands and for the red cliffs that form part of its delightful landscape. It is
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a beach that offers great conditions for water
and the sea. It has a wide variety of seafront
sports such as kite surfing and jet skiing. In
bars and restaurants.
addition to enjoying days of sun and sand, the various historical villages that feature traditional
PRAIA DONA ANA
Arabic architecture are also worth a visit.
Located in Lagos, Praia Dona Ana is quite simply
OLHÃO The city of Olhão is known for its fishing tradition and is home to the Algarve’s main
wonderful. It is a beach of singular beauty with crystal clear waters surrounded by golden rocks forming part of its amazing landscape.
fishing ports. It has many cultural attractions
RIA FORMOSA NATURE RESERVE
and festivals and features various islands in
The Ria Formosa nature reserve is a natural
addition to shopping and leisure facilities in its
paradise, lying between land and sea, and
commercial area, all of which attracts many
covering 18,000 hectares. It is an internationally
tourists in all seasons.
reputed wetland area that offers a rich habitat
ZOOMARINE THEME PARK
for flora and fauna. The most commonly found bird species are the flamingo, the buzzard, the
Located in Albufeira, the Zoomarine park is
woodcock and the kingfisher. The rarest species
accessed from national highway 125 heading
found in this region is the purple swamp hen,
towards Guia and its “swim-with-dolphins”
which has a purple-blue plumage with a red
experience and aquatic shows are a delight for
beak and red feet. A local variety of chameleons
tourists of all ages. Visitors can come into close
can also be found in this area. The Ria Formosa
contact with sea lions, seals and birds of prey
nature reserve can be explored along its many
in addition to enjoying the 4D cinema, tropical
trails or on a slow boat ride.
island and swimming pool in the leisure area.
CASTELO DE SILVES
SERRA DE MONCHIQUE
Castelo de Silves, or the Silves Castle, is
The Monchique mountain range or “Serra de
one of the region’s most significant tourist
Monchique” is located in the western part of
attractions. It is considered the best preserved
the Algarve and has the highest peak in the
national monument in the Algarve. The castle’s
region, Pico da Foia, which is 902 m high. It
architecture features thick walls with 11 towers
is a nature resort full of oak and pine trees.
spanning a total of 12,000 square meters.
It has an unrivalled view of the entire region.
It was built by Arabs in the 11th century
Definitely worth a visit!
and showcases the splendour attained by
PRAIA DA ROCHA
the Islamic civilization in its conquest of the Algarve. The Castle’s massive main gate is
Located in Portimão, Praia da Rocha is one of
accessed from the Medina and is protected
the most famous and longest beaches of the
by a guardhouse. Inside there is a huge
Algarve and attracts thousands of tourists
rectangular-shaped cistern called the “Aljibe”,
all year round. Its name is derived from the
which supplied water to the city. It has a
many rocks that lie between the sandy beach
relaxing garden and underground food stores
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accessed through small openings at ground
night, Albufeira and Vilamoura. Luxury resorts
level. The Moorish Cistern with its four vaulted
can be found in Quarteira and in Armação de
ceilings supported on columns is reminiscent of
Pêra, traditionally a fishing village and now a
Moorish legends and the Cistern of the Dogs,
tourist area. Lagos and Monte Gordo are great
a well 60 meters deep, brings to mind the
places for visitors of all ages with many hotels
history and culture of the Moorish era.
located close to the beaches and offering many
VALE DO LOBO, QUINTA DO LAGO AND VILAMOURA
tourist attractions. The best option, in any of these areas, is to rent
Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura
an apartment for three or more people. It is best
are together known as the “Golden Triangle”
to book accommodation a few months before
and comprise the most luxurious areas of
your trip, depending on the region you choose.
the Algarve with magnificent landscapes. Due to its splendid golfing facilities, it is the
Hotel options include the Hotel Algarve
most sought after region for golfers. The
Casino (Praia da Rocha, Faro), Tivoli Marina
Royal Golf Course in Vale do Lobo, one of the
(Vilamoura), Pestana Alvor Praia (Praia dos
most sophisticated golf courses in the world,
Três Irmãos), Hotel Santa Eulália Albufeira
features the world-famous sixteenth hole,
(Albufeira), Sollagos Apartamentos (Lagos) and
Europe’s most photographed golfing hole.
Monte Gordo Hotel (Monte Gordo).
MARINA DE VILAMOURA Marina de Vilamoura is one of the most fashionable and sophisticated areas of the Algarve. It has a wide variety of restaurants, shops and bars. A boat trip is strongly recommended, followed by walking trails, cycling and golf, among other activities. It is the ideal place for those who want to experience the region’s famous nightlife, with great music and beautiful people.
WHERE TO STAY The Algarve offers a wide variety of hotels, resorts, hostels and holidays apartments to rent. The best places to stay are in the areas that are considered liveliest by day and by
DINING OUT The cuisine of the Algarve is rich with a variety of fish, seafood and shellfish. Typical regional dishes include roasted sardines served with potato and vegetables, omelettes, salads and steak with a mushroom sauce or piri-piri chicken. Some of the most traditional dishes of the Algarve include cod, fish stew and “cataplana”, an aromatic dish of clams.
Visitors can also find various restaurants serving Japanese, Mexican, Indian and Italian food in the Algarve outskirts. Located in the Vilamoura marina, the Mayflower restaurant is considered one of the best restaurants in the Algarve. It serves a variety of delicious seafood dishes. The Cabana Fresca restaurant has an exceptional view, serves typical dishes and is located on Praia dos Pescadores in Albufeira. The traditional 2 Irmãos restaurant in Faro is also worth a visit.
Figs, almonds, carob beans and “Medronho”, an arbutus-berry brandy distilled in old alembic stills in mountain-top distilleries, are also good examples of regional delicacies. Be sure to try
SHOPPING
the typical sweet-cake called, Dom Rodrigo, which is sold wrapped in coloured paper by all
A wide array of establishments can be found
confectioners in the region.
for shopping and leisure in the Algarve. A huge variety of stores are accommodated by the region’s five main shopping centres: O Forum Algarve, Algarve Shopping, Aqua Portimão, Gran-Plaza and Ria Shopping.
FORUM ALGARVE Located in Faro, Forum Algarve was the Algarve’s first open-air shopping centre. It is located close to the most popular areas of the resort triangle formed by Faro, Loulé and Olhão, which facilitates access to shopping. Its original design is based on the historic city centre, with a central square in the open-air. It has 119 stores representing many brands and 23 restaurants. Forum Algarve has received various awards acknowledging the design innovation, quality and differentiation that it offers visitors.
ALGARVE SHOPPING Located in Albufeira, Algarve Shopping is a
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lovely, inviting place to shop in the open air. Its
GRAN-PLAZA
original architecture represents the style of the
Located in Tavira, this is one of the
Algarve region.
largest shopping centres in the Algarve. Its architectural design, inspired by the
Many stores representing various local and
Mediterranean, is unusual with a tree-
international brands can be found. It has
lined walkway. The shopping centre has a
cinemas, restaurants, a variety of stores and
supermarket, various restaurants, cinemas, and
a play area for children. It is open from 10am
masses of fashion and home decoration stores.
to 11pm in the off-peak holiday season from October to June and from 10am to midnight
RIA SHOPPING
in the Summer and peak holiday season (July,
Located in the city of Olhão, the Ria Shopping
August, September and December).
centre has a modern and innovative
AQUA PORTIMÃO Located in the prestigious Portimão area, the Aqua Portimão shopping centre is the largest
architectural design with various stores representing national and international brands in addition to restaurants and cinemas.
shopping centre in the Western Algarve. In
STREET MARKETS
particular it houses a Jumbo hypermarket, a
The Algarve street markets are the ideal place
Primark store and an H&M store, where many
to buy souvenirs, fruit, typical foodstuffs,
products can be found. Various fitness and
drinks and craftwork.
kids’ leisure activities are offered.
In the summer period, you will find themed street festivals taking place in the Rua do
IMPORTANT NUMBERS
Cais in Tavira, and in Albufeira, Alejzur, Loulé and Faro. The main market is the Loulé street market, next to Largo de Gago Coutinho, which
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EMERGENCY SERVICES
takes place on Saturdays.
CURRENCY The currency used in the Algarve, in the rest of Portugal and in most of Europe is the Euro (€). There are 7 banknotes: 5,10,20, 100, 200 and 500 euros, and 8 coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 and 2 euros. A variety of cashpoint machines can be found throughout the region, identified by the initials “MB” (Multibanco). Most establishments accept credit and debit cards (Visa, Amex, Mastercard, Diners Club and Euro-Cheque). Travellers cheques are not recommended as the currency exchange rate charged is rather high.
POLICE/FIRE BRIGADE
289 416 702 04 HOSPITALS: LAGOS
282 763 034 PORTIMÃO
282 450 300 FARO
289 803 411 TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE LAGOS
282 763 031 SAGRES
282 624 873 ALJEZUR
282 998 229 FARO AIRPORT
289 800 800