Activities: Sight Seeing
There is so much to see in the Algarve that you might like to follow
one of your chosen activities with some sight seeing later in the day.
Simply let us know where you would like to go and then we will do our
best to arrange your chosen activities somewhere nearby for that day.
(Horse Riding excluded).
A selection of places that you may like to visit includes:-
 Albufeira
Albufeira is the biggest and best known resort in the Algarve and despite
the sprawling development of new apartments and hotels, the old town
retains a certain charm. In amongst the many bars, restaurants and tourist
gift shops there are cobbled streets and whitewashed and tiled houses.
The infamous “strip” a long street of bars and restaurants
is actually a couple of miles away from the old town, so can be avoided
if you choose. The beach at Albufeira is a long sweep of golden sands
backed by cliffs and it will be busy in the peak summer months. Around
the headland to the west is the new Albufeira Marina where brightly
coloured new apartments mix with more new bars and restaurants. Albufeira
provides plenty of options for a lively night out if this is to your
taste.
Alte
Alte is a picture postcard village up in the hills some 30k north of
Albufeira. Famous for its 16th Century “Our Blessed Lady of Assumption
Church” and white washed houses and shops selling traditional
crafts and pottery. Well worth a look around and plenty of cafes to
stop at for a drink or snack, but not enough to keep you occupied for
more than an hour or two at the most.
Almancil
 Almancil is well known as the gateway town to its more famous neighbours
of Vale Do Lobo and Quinta do Lago. Here are some of the finest golf
courses in the Algarve as well as some of the best beaches. Close by
is the Ria Formosa nature reserve of over 17.000 hectares
and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during the spring
and autumn migratory periods.
Just outside Almancil is the impressive church of San Laurenco. The
simple white 15th century church standing on a hill houses one of the
most impressive displays of Azulejo ( tile) design available anywhere.
Almost every square inch of the walls and vaulted ceiling is covered
in hand painted blue and white ceramic tiles. Most of the tiles date
from the 18th century and depict biblical scenes detailing the life
of St Lawrence. The only part of the interior not tiled is the carved
gilded altar, altogether an impressive sight and well worth a visit.
 Faro (and Faro Island)
Faro is the administrative centre for the whole of the Algarve region
with a population in excess of 55.000 people. The city has both Arab
and Roman ruins but most of the present attractive older buildings were
constructed after the disastrous earthquakes of both 1755 and 1532. With
the decline of the importance of the city of Silves this town took over
the role of administration of the Algarve area.
Particularly attractive is the old part of the city surrounded still
by the Roman walls which date back to the 9th Century. Inside a spacious
open square that was once 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 also contains the macabre spectacle
of a chapel lined with the bones from over 1.200 monks!
Loule
Loule is a rural administrative centre and active market town with some
remains of a castle dating back to the 12th Century. The weekly market
attracts tourists from all along the Algarve. Due to the demands of
the tourism this town has blossomed in size. An important event is the
annual Carnival held in February that is considered to be one of the
best in Portugal.
Monchique
 Monchique
is little changed by the 20th Century invasion of tourism. It lies between
the two high hills, Foia and Picota, the former reaching to 902 metres
above sea level. Monchique has retained its rustic atmosphere with steep
cobbled streets and small dark doorways housing various artisan trades.
There is a very neglected 17th~Century Franciscan monastery which overlooks
the town from which a visitor enjoys a panoramic view over the beautiful
countryside. The 16th Century Parish Church has excellent examples of
Manueline craftsmanship around its doorway. The surrounding area flourishes
on the production of cattle, pigs, cork and wood. Another important
local product is the popular "medronho", which is the name
of a strong schnapps style of drink made from distilling the fruit from
arbutus bushes. Foia and its sister mountain of Picota are excellent
locations from which to see dramatic views of the coastal plain to the
south and to the western Atlantic coast.
Olhão
The town of Olhão is historically linked to the local fishing
industry and only grew into existence as a significant location in the
17th Century. It was in this town in 1882 that the first canning factory
for tuna and sardines was established. Architecturally the town is well
known for an older quarter where the flat terraced roofs and straight
box-shaped chimneys show a definite Moorish flavour. Another curiosity
is the fish market in a long building on the waterfront. Every morning
there is a lively atmosphere and the impressively large variety of fish
caught locally is displayed.
From the town of Olhão there is a ferry service that takes visitors
to the nearby small islands of Ilha da Culatra and Ilha da Armona. With
their un-spoilt sandy beaches and lack of major buildings these islands
act as a pleasant contrast to the noise and bustle of the neighbouring
town.
 Portimau
Portimau is second in size only to Faro and traditionally a fishing
town. There are many excellent restaurants in the old town where you
can sample the local catch. Portimau is particularly known for grilled
Sardines.
Nearby are some of the finest beaches in the Algarve and the popular
resorts of Praia da Rocha and Praia Tres Irmaos have developed along
this coastline as a result.
Quarteira
 The one time quiet fishing village of Quarteira has long since been
spoilt by unsympathetic developments of apartment buildings. Although
the old town and beach remain intact, there is little else here to attract
the visitor apart from the weekly market, although the town is gradually
improving to bring it up to the standard of its more impressive neighbours.
Quarteira market has developed into one of the largest and busiest markets
in the Algarve offering a variety of produce and clothing, all at very
attractive prices and so is well worth a visit.
Silves
Standing proudly on a hill Silves can be traced back some
1.000 years BC. Evidence shows that it was also a place of note in Roman
times but it really became an important place during its occupation
in the early 11th Century by the Moors. Silves continued in importance
as a main town of the Algarve until its commerce began a slow decline
in the 15th Century due the silting-up of the Rio Arade that had given
the town good access to the sea.
A reminder of the Romans occupation is the Ponte Romana, a fine strong
bridge over the Rio Arade below the city walls and having been rebuilt
from the original in the 15th Century.
Tavira
Tavira is probably one of the most immediately appealing towns in the
Algarve, its historical centre rests between the Castle and the palm
lined banks of the Rio Gilao. Until recently, Tavira has made few concessions
to tourism with its long fine sandy beach only being reached by ferry.
The Castle grounds filled with a variety of plants such as Fig and hibiscus
provided views over terracotta tiled roofs down to the river and the
old Roman bridge. Along the river from the bridge are the old market
and bandstand, a pleasant area for a promenade or a quiet drink at one
of the many pavement cafes.
Vilamoura
Vilamoura is the name given to an area rather than to an actual town.
It is outstanding in that it is one of the largest single tourist complexes
in Europe and covers some 2,000 hectares of land. The main attractions
to the area are the six different Golf Courses, and the centrally located
Marina which is a pleasant area to walk around and there are many restaurants
and bars to cater for all tastes.
| 
