www.discoverportugal2day.com
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Indicates a Pousada location.
Current Algarve Weather
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he Algarve has over 100 miles of the finest soft golden sand beaches in Europe and borders the Atlantic Ocean from Sagres in the West to the Vila Real de Santo António in the East - on the Spanish border. Include in this area are championship facilities for water sports, golf, tennis, fine restaurants and horseback riding.
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he center of the Algarve is from Faro west to Lagos. Sandstone cliffs that open to modest bays and harbors line it. This area because, of it's popularity, also attracts the most people. From Lagos west to Sagres you have high granite cliffs, grottoes, small coves and especially scenic areas. It was here in Sagres that Prince Henry the Navigator resided and trained the Portuguese Navigators who participated in Portugal's Age of Discovery.Check
the current Algarve weather
I
f you're not up to driving to the Algarve, TAP (Air Portugal) provides daily flights from Lisbon to the Faro airport. If you are driving the roads are very good from Lisbon to the Algarve. When you get down by Albufeira, you can take E-1 or N 125 to your final destination.If you prefer to leave the driving to someone else.
You should also consider perhaps using a professional guide such as Peter Feijão at Tel: 011 351 21 4531001 or E-mail him for more information. I have met Peter and I recommend him highly.
O
n our first trip to the Algarve, I pondered over where to stay. I wanted to see most of the area and I didn't necessarily want to stay in the beach area. A friend suggested maybe staying in the mountains and driving down to the various areas. We stayed in Monchique and using that as a home base drove from there to the other areas. I think that on the next trip, we will stay in a more centralized location, such as Armação de Pêra, and eliminate the 25 miles drive each day. You can then alternate your days from just driving around to actually just enjoying some sun. My feelings are that it will take at least one to two weeks to adequately experience the area.O
ne day we drove down from Monchique to Portimão. The first thing that I had to find was a bank to exchange some money. I found a bank and then we took a drive around Portimão. Portimão is more of a commercial town. Development has made the beach area extremely crowded. We noticed many shops, apartments and condominiums, then we decided to see some more of the Algarve.
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e proceeded east following EN125 through Albufeira and on to Faro. In Faro I did a circle of the town to catch some of its beauty. Then I was on to Olhão and eventually Tavira. We spent sometime in Tavira, which is said to be the most picturesque town in the Algarve. This is a very pretty town with glistening white houses that sprawl along the Gilão River. We had lunch in a very nice restaurant in Tavira and bought some wonderfully large coffee mugs in a nearby gift shop.
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n this section of the area, from Tavira to the Spanish border the land is low and the dunes form lagoons along the sea. There is also a wonderful nature reserve nearby Tavira.I
decided to avoid the city traffic on EN125 and drove over to IP1 for the journey back. We were very impressed by the architecture of the bridge on EN125 shortly before you get to the turn off for Monchique. We did manage to get some pictures of the bridge but none of them did it justice.O
n our last day in the Algarve, we decided to go to the beach. Some people that had been staying at the estalagem (inn) said that they had been to the beach at Centianes. Since it wasn't too far, we decided that we would try it. It wasn't too difficult to find. Soon as I had parked the car, we were walking down the steep steps to the beach. I was a very pretty beach. Then we saw the beach that was full of the high cliffs and yellow sand that you see in the tourist photos. For some detailed information on this section of the Algarve please visit the Carvoeiro
site and see some of the beautiful beaches and other facilities that are
available.
Beach at Centianes
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ell, we saw some of the Algarve but we still have a lot more to see. The Algarve has plenty of beautiful beaches, golf courses and tennis courts to provide you with a joyful holiday in the Sun.
Let's Visit the University of the Algarve
The following site is the Algarve home page and contains a lot of information on the Algarve.
While you are visiting the Algarve you may also stay at the Manor Houses of Portugal
as well as the Pousadas of Portugal this would combine the best of two worlds.
For more information about hotel availability in the Algarve, click on the link below and then key in the city or town that you wish the information about. Type the cities name ex: Sagres, Faro, Portimao, Tavira, Lagos, etc.
Click for Rental Car Information
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ere is where once navigators thought that land ended and the ocean dropped off into nothingness, the end of the known world. Here was also Prince Henry the Navigator looked out over the sea and wondered if there was a route to the Indies.
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Town of Aljezur
Current Faro Weather
We stayed at the Pousada do Infante in Sagres. This new Pousada is styled as a monastery gleaming white atop a small promontory just outside of town. The accommodations are excellent and the view from the balcony is spectacular. I even enjoyed watching the helicopter land and take off from the adjourning helicopter pad.
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e had a beautiful view looking out over the sea and beaches with the cliff top fortress of Prince Henry the Navigator in the distance. It was awesome to think that for centuries this spot was though to be the end of the world. It was here that Prince Henry the Navigator resided and whose energies and finances fueled the Portuguese exploration of the world.
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rince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460) played a major role for 15th century navigators by his leadership in solving problems of transoceanic voyaging. He was a great warrior who was knighted for his role in the capture of Ceuta, he was also a great teacher, a nautical and astronomical specialist, and a brilliant organizer and sponsor of oceanic exploration. He assembled the best mathematicians, cartographers, shipbuilders, astronomers, mariners and chroniclers in the world and brought them to his School of Navigation in Sagres. Here on this surf pounding steep cliffs, on the southwestern tip of Portugal, he organized these Portuguese mariners so that they gained the necessary knowledge to explore the World.T
his observatory gave the Portuguese the impetus for the exploration of the West Coast of Africa and other places in the vast unknown world. These conquests were recognized by Castile in the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494 - under its terms Portugal was granted all lands lying to the east of a hypothetical line running 370 leagues west of the Azores. To the conquests Pedro Álvares Cabral added Brazil in 1500.T
hese voyages are well described in the Fado songs - "Where the land finishes and the sea begins it's a mist and island that belongs to desire, and hears in the sea shells, until the sound grows faint and disappears, news from my country - far - far away."
Prince Henerys School at the Fortress Sagres
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e took a drive out to Prince Henry's windswept cliff top School of Navigation. On the way we passed an impressive looking little fortress. We decided to stop and explore it. It is in a very beautiful setting and it is composed of a hotel with four rooms, a lovely courtyard with view and a nice little restaurant. The next evening we returned and had a very nice meal in the restaurant.
Mini Pousada on the way to the Fortress
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ot much is left as Prince Henry knew it but what is left is impressive. The 16th century fortress of Sagres has been partially reconstructed, a museum has been built and the ruins of an old sailor's chapel are there.
I noticed this year that it had been newly painted white.
Fortress of Sagres
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nside, a compass marked on the ground from Prince Henry's time is visible and there is lighthouse on the cliffs' edge. Looking over the cliffs you are presented with an awesome view of the wave whipped into froth by the wind and rocks below.
Compass used by Prince Henry
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further drive, about 5 miles west, takes you to the lighthouse on the Cabo de São Vicente.
This is well worth the drive for the view from these cliffs is spectacular. We then proceeded back into the small town of Sagres for something to eat.
Cabo de São Vicente
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agres is a nice small town. It consists of but three streets with plenty of small restaurants, usually where the owner is both waiter and chief. It is popular with fishermen and backpackers. You are not confronted with the tourist's jet set. You can enjoy a platter of Sardines very reasonably and the town closes up fairly early.
Beach at Sagres
For more information about hotel availability, click on the link below and then key in the city or town that you wish the information about. Type the cities names Sagres, Faro, Portimao, Tavira, Lagos, etc.
Vila do Bispo
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hile the towns beaches are very serviceable, we heard about some other beaches that were up by Vila do Bispo. The guide book that I had seemed to indicate that these beaches were beyond the town on highway 268. We proceeded north on 268 looking for a dirt road that had a sign "praia". Well I couldn't find on with the sign so I finally turned onto a dirt road that I thought was it. After preceding miles over dirt roads in some very barren land, I finally gave up and luckily found my way back to the main highway. I drove back to Vila do Bispo and asked directions. Two people told me that the road to it was just around the corner. At least they were polite enough not to say "Right around the corner-STUPID". There it was right in the center of town a sign pointing to Praia do Castelejo. Once you have found the right road, then it is easy. You proceed down a narrow dirt road for about 1.5 miles to arrive at beautiful beach. The beach st arts from a prec ipitous headland at its south end and stretches to craggy offshore rocks on the north end. The sandy beach is very big and very fine. There is a small restaurant at the foot of the road that serves fresh fish and other fine foods. It is called Castelejo Restaurante-Bar. We had a very nice meal there.
Beach at Castelejo
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e left Sagres and were on our way to Beja. We followed 268 north to Vila do Bispo where we picked up N125 going east to Lagos.Lagos
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agos is very interesting. Although it is small by most measures, it is the second largest city of the coastal resorts. It conveys the felling of a bright, pleasant and coming resort.A
s you enter Lagos on N125 from the west, the first thing that impresses you is the clean modern whitewashed houses' with their orange tiled roofs. You proceed over the hill and on your right is a breathtaking harbor with breakwaters, pleasure boats and blue waters. You go down the hill and the town appears on your left and the activity of the harbor area increases.
Harbor at Lagos
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e proceeded east on N125 through Portimão and on to Albufeira where we turned north on IP1 to Ourique. Then at Ourique we turned right on to IP2 to Beja.Silves
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any people associate the Algarve mainly with the beaches, but there are many wonderful little towns and villages located just a few miles inland. Silves is one of these towns. Silves is located in the Barlavento of the Algarve, between the mountains and the coast. If you have a map handy it is located to the north and east of Portimão. This site contains a lot of interesting information about Silves and its Moorish History.O
n our last trip we took a drive over to Silves. I drove over from Sagres on N125 to Portimão and then turned north toward Monchique. In a few miles, I turned right for the short drive to Silves. Silves is a nice quite little town and its beauty impressed me. There is fair bit of roadwork going on. They seem to be improving the parameter road around the town. I followed the signs to the Castle which on the high point in town. We found a parking space near the Café Ingles and stopped for a snack before proceeding up the steps to the Castle. The Castle is very impressive and worth the visit. It is reddish in color, which makes it stand out. They are excavating a section inside which contains some old ruins also you can go down into the old water works which still provides water to the town.
Castle at Silves
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he site below contains much more information on Silves and also is well worth the visit.Let's Visit the town of Silves
TAVIRA
For some time now, I really wanted to explore the area of the Algarve from
Tavira to Vila Real De Santo António which is on the Spanish border.
We left Santiago do Cacém and drove over to IP 1 going south. This is a very
good highway and you can make very good time. Just north of Albufeira, I turned
east on IP 1 (toll road) so that I would avoid the slowness of N 125. We proceeded
east until I saw the turn off for Tavira.
We had decided to spend the next four days at Aldeamento Pedras d' El Rey
which is located just a short distance from the center of Tavira.
The Pedras d' El Rey Santa Luzia - Tel: 281 325 352 is a very nice place to
stay. Its consists of Cottages, apartments restaurants and shops located in a
beautiful orange grove. You may chose to prepare your own meals or eat at the facilities
provided.
The
beach is also close by. You just walk over the causeway in the bay to a little
train that will then take you to one of the most beautiful beaches that I have
ever seen.
Tavira
is very charming. The old Roman bridge set the tone for the town. The area still
retains it feeling of Portugal. It has not been turned into a series of high
rises by the developer.
We
were fortunate to be able to catch the second annual folk festival in the town.
All the villages and the Alentejo had a booth at the fair. You could walk around
for hours sampling the delicious breads, jams and various specialties of each
village. The festive spirit and the happiness of the people made it a very
pleasant way to spend the day.
The
beach at Tavira is also beautiful. You must access it the same way. You take a
ferry across the bay out to the beach area on the sand bar. The Ilha de Tarvia
is about 7 miles long and 550 yards wide and provides excellent swimming.
By
day stretch out by the sea-water pool or just relax in the shade of the terrace.
At night you may join Sebastian and his friends in the downstairs bar full of
original painting and life. The quaint Casa do Rio has five charming rooms.
all with private baths, air-conditioning and televisions. Its unique ambience
will make you feel like never leaving. Call us at 351 281 326578 or E-Mail
us for information and prices. 
You
might also check out the Casa
do Rio which is nestled alongside the Rio Gilao. This Casa is more than just
a guest house where you can stay overnight. It is a summer home away from home.
OLHÃO
I had driven on EN 125 by this town many times and had not turned in to
explore it. Well I was in for a pleasant surprise.
The
whitewashed houses with their flat roofs are reminiscent of the moorish architecture.
The town was and is one of the largest fishing centers in the Algarve. In
1808 the village was elevated to the position of a town when when its fisherman
crossed the Atlantic to Rio de Janeiro, without charts, to tell the exiled King
João VI that Napoleons troops had been driven out of Portugal.
We
had an excellent meal in the Restaurant O Tamboril - Av. 5 de Outubro -
Tel: 089 71 46 25 and also became very friendly with the owner and the waiter. About
23 km to the east of Tavira is Vila Real de S. António that is right on the
Spanish border. We decided one day to take a drive over to see this section of
the Algarve. On the way we passed through Monte Gordo and stopped for something
to drink. Monte Gordo is a very clean little town with a lot of high rises and
vast stretches of clean sand beach. I also notice that it has a casino.
This town provides a fitting farewell to the Algarve. When it was razed in
1755, it benefited from the reconstruction plans drown up by the Marquês de
Pombal. It has classical buildings with a minimum of exterior decorations that
are laid out in the familar austere grid pattern.
We found a good restaurant and there was an all you can eat for a very reasonable
price. If I can every find the card I will post it here.
For more information on
rentals in the
Algarve visit this site. It was sort of nice to walk along the shoreline looking out over the Guadiana
River looking at Ayamonte Spain on the distant shore.
A Dutch
site on the Algarve For more information about hotel availability in the Algarve, click on the link below and
then key in the city or town that you wish the information about. Type the
cities name ex: Sagres, Faro, Portimao, Tavira, Lagos, etc. Click for Rental Car Information You may also obtain information from Manor
Houses of Portugal by completing the form on any page of their site.
Vila Real de S. António
Creation Date: 04 Dec 1995
Last Updated: 20 Apr 2005
Copyright © 1995-2005 Thomas J. Sullivan MA
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