The beautiful scenery of the Western Algarve features rugged landscapes and, to the west of Lagos, the sandstone coastline gives way to limestone and slate cliffs.

Western Algarve News

Three shipwreck survivors have been rescued by Portuguese Air Force Helicopter 300 kilometres southwest of Cape St. Vincent in the Algarve.

The Two Spaniards and an Argentine were sailing the yacht "El Almograte", 10 metres long and bearing the Spanish flag, when they encountered difficulties and the boat eventually sank in the maritime rescue area of Morocco, 430 kilometres northeast of Casablanca.

A distress signal was received by the Morrocan authorities, but with no rescue aircraft available, they requested support from Portugal, who immediately despatched a "Merlin" rescue helicopter.

The yacht had originally departed from the Canary Islands and was destined for a unspecified port in either Portugal or Spain.

The three survivors arrived at faro airport, by rescue helicopter, at about 16:00 and were transferred to the Central Algarve hospital by INEM, where they were all treated for the effects hypothermia.

Sunday 31st October 2010

Source: DNP

The beautiful scenery of the Western Algarve features rugged landscapes and, to the west of Lagos, the sandstone coastline gives way to limestone and slate cliffs. Here the sea becomes choppier, the waters cooler and the wind fresher. This region is popular with the young and a paradise for surfers.

The Portuguese Government is determined to retain the Western Algarve’s natural beauty, and preserve its wildlife. It has therefore protected large areas of land by creating nature reserves, resisting the pressure from property developers to release more building land.

The tiny, unspoiled inland villages give visitors a glimpse of how the Algarve used to be before the tourist invasion in the mid 20th century. They are scattered through lovely countryside with its flower-filled woodlands, streams and springs. To the north, the gentle Monchique mountains (the highest point is 900m), protect most of the Algarve from the northerly winds and provide stunning views of the coastal plains.

About the Western Algarve

The Climate in the Western Algarve

The Algarve has an excellent and enviable climate – reputed to be one of the best and healthiest in Europe – so it is no surprise that this is one of Europe’s best-loved destinations.

Average values for the whole of the Algarve	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
max day temperature °C	12	16	18	19	22	25	29	29	27	23	19	16
min night temperature ° C	7	8	9	10	12	15	18	18	17	14	11	8
daily hours of sunshine	5	6	7	8	10	11	12	11	9	7	6	5
daily hours of daylight	10	11	12	13	14	15	14	14	12	11	10	10
sea temperature	16	15	16	16	17	19	20	21	21	20	18	17

Towns and Villages in the Western Algarve

ALCANTARILHA

This sleepy village sits just north of the EN125.

It has a maze of steep, narrow streets and a selection of Pastelarias and small restaurants.

A market is held on the 1st Friday of each month.

Facilities include:

Restaurants
Cafés
Market - 1st Friday of each month

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 35 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours, 20 minutes
Porto – 4 hours, 50 minutes

ALJEZUR

Aljezur is set in a landscape of beautiful rolling hills, woods and forests.

The village is naturally divided by a river which separates the older, Moorish area from the more modern Igreja Nova. There are stunning views towards the Monchique mountains from the old Moorish fort.

There is a good selection of beaches nearby many of which are suitable for families with small children – particularly Amoreira, with a long river delta which forms small natural swimming pools where children can safely play in the warm waters.

This coastline is an angler’s paradise and the perfectly formed waves that break onto the beaches are among the best in Europe for surfers and body boarders.

Facilities include:

Daily market selling fresh local produce, fresh fish and locally grown vegetables
Market - 3rd Monday of each month
Restaurants
Cafés
Shops
Banks
Supermarkets & mini markets
Internet Café
Beaches
Windsurfing
Surfing
Sailing
Fishing
Horse riding
Tennis
Bird watching
Nature reserve

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 1 hour 15 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours 15 minutes
Porto – 5 hours 30 minutes

ALVOR

The ancient coastal village of Alvor has an old fishing harbour and an attractive 16^th century church.

It has retained much of its original character thanks to its narrow, no-through cobbled streets restricting development. Shop, bars with live music and a good selection of restaurants line the streets leading down to the harbour.

With long sandy beaches, Alvor sits on sand banks next to the river estuary.

Facilities include:

Supermarkets
Market - 2nd Tuesday of the month
Banks
Schools
Hospital
Golf courses

Approximate Driving Time to Airports

Faro – 1 hour
Lisbon – 2 hours 30 minutes
Porto – 6 hours

ARMAÇÃO DE PÊRA

Not that long ago, the resort of Armação de Pêra was little more than a collection of small shacks used by the residents of the nearby village of Pera to maintain their fishing boats. Now it is a vibrant holiday location – bursting in the summer months and a lovely peaceful destination out of season.

It has one of the longest sandy beaches in the Algarve, with caves and interesting rock formations. The fishermen still repair their nets and sell the day’s catch on the beach – which explains why there are such excellent fish restaurants here.

Facilities include:

Bars
Restaurants
Cafés
Shops
Banks

Approximate Driving Times to Airports:

Faro - 40 minutes
Lisbon - 2 hours, 30 minutes
Porto - 4 hours, 50 minutes

ARRIFANA

Set south of Vale da Telha and south west of Aljezur, the village Arrifana has a few bars and restaurants, sits on a cliff top overlooking a great beach.

Facilities include:

Bars
Restaurants

Approximate Driving Times to Airports:

Faro - 1 hour, 20 minutes
Lisbon - 3 hours, 10 minutes
Porto - 5 hours, 40 minutes

BENSAFRIM

Surrounded by hills with views to the coast, Bensafrim is a typical Algarvean village with a Roman fort nearby.

Facilities include:

Bars
Restaurants
Shops
Market - 1st Saturday of the month
Riding Centre
Roman Fort

Approximate Driving Times to Airports:

Faro - 50 minutes
Lisbon - 2 hours, 40 minutes
Porto - 5 hours, 10 minutes

BURGAU

The fishing village of Burgau has narrow, cobbled streets that lead steeply down to the lovely beach where traditional colourful fishing boats are moored.

En route, slip into any of the numerous tiny bars for a relaxing drink. For the more energetic, there is a large sports centre on the outskirts of the village offering:

squash
tennis
aerobics

Facilities include:

Bars
Restaurants
Shops
Sports Centre

Approximate Driving Times to Airports:

Faro - 1 hour, 5 minutes
Lisbon - 2 hours, 50 minutes
Porto - 5 hours, 20 minutes

CALDAS DE MONCHIQUE

Nestled between wooded hills, the charming and peaceful little spa village of Caldas de Monchique is famous for its mineral waters.

The spring waters in the Roman Spa reputedly maintain a constant temperature of 32 ºC.

This is a lovely village with a pretty square (an ideal spot for a leisurely meal) and an art and craft centre.

Facilities include:

Bars
Restaurants
Shops

Approximate Driving Times to Airports:

Faro - 55 minutes
Lisbon - 2 hours, 45 minutes
Porto - 5 hours, 10 minutes

CARRAPATEIRA

Carrapateira is a small village lying to the north of Vale do Bispo.

A short walk from the village is the Praia de Bordeira – a beach bordered by sand dunes and famous for its spectacular surf.

Facilities include:

Supermarket
Restaurants
Bank with ATM

Approximate Driving Times to Airports:

Faro - 1 hour, 10 minutes
Lisbon - 3 hours
Porto - 5 hours, 30 minutes

CARVOEIRO

Formerly a fishing village, Carvoeiro is set on sloping land above cliffs.

Still retaining much of its original charm, there is a central square and plenty of bars, restaurants and supermarkets.

It has some lovely beaches, some of which are only accessible at low tide.

The fishing boats are still active and their catches, together with locally grown fruit and vegetables, are available to buy at the market.

Facilities include:

Restaurants
Shops
Bars
Cafés
Market – fresh fish & local produce
Golf courses
Tennis centre

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 45 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours 30 minutes
Porto – 6 hours

ESTÔMBAR

Estômbar is an unspoiled Algarvean village with narrow streets and whitewashed buildings.

On holy days canopied processions make their way to the distinctive twin-steepled church.

The village has plenty of small grocery shops, cafés and fantastic restaurants.

Facilities include:

Produce market every weekday morning selling
- fresh bread
- meat
- fish
- vegetables
Shops
Restaurants
Cafés
Nearby water-park
Railway station

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 45 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours, 30 minutes
Porto – 5 hours

FERRAGUDO

Ferragudo is one of the prettiest little coastal villages in the region.

It has a superb beach with three bar/restaurants and the shallow, gentle waters protected from the Atlantic by the port’s breakwaters make safe swimming for children.

It has been a fishing village since time immemorial and defensive walls were built in the Middle Ages, the vestiges of which are still visible today.

The Village sits on the bank of the River Arade opposite Portimão with its new Marina full of colourful yachts which can be reached by the Water Taxi Service.

Facilities include:

Restaurants
Cafés
Bars
Flea Market - 2nd Sunday of the month
Golf courses
Beaches
Castle

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Lisbon – 2 hours 30 minutes
Faro – 45 minutes
Porto – 6 hours

LAGOA

Lagoa is set on a hill overlooking flat land which was once a lagoon.

It is the administrative town for the local area and the wine capital of the Algarve.

A church tower dominates Lagoa's skyline and the courtyards are bordered by whitewashed houses and long, low buildings.

On the outskirts of the town is a co-operative for the local vineyards that produces full-bodied red wine and, in September and October, the country lanes are packed with trucks and carts bringing in freshly picked grapes.

Lagoa wines age in a solera, have a high alcohol content and tend to have a nutty character resembling a fine sherry.

Facilities include:

Shops
Restaurants
Bars
Cafés
Market - 2nd Sunday of the month
Flea Market - 4th Sunday of the month
International School

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Lisbon - 2 hours 30 minutes
Faro - 45 minutes
Porto - 6 hours 30 minutes

LAGOS

Close to a number of the Algarve’s most beautiful beaches, Lagos is a popular tourist town.

It has a modern marina where visitors can take boat tours and deep-sea fishing trips.

Most of the town centre is a pedestrian zone, making it a great place to shop, and the old town’s character can still be seen in the narrow cobbled streets that leading out from the main squares.

This is an historic town - perhaps most famously, it was from here that Vasco da Gama embarked on his epic voyage of discovery in 1499.

The town has restored the remaining sections of the old town walls and we gather that there are some quite odd regional artefacts on show in the small museum adjoining the 17th century "gold" church of Santo António!

Facilities include:

Good shopping
Bars
Good selection of restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines
Night life
Fish market selling fish caught by local fishermen
Market - 1st Saturday of the month
Supermarkets
Schools
Hospital
Railway Station
Golf courses
Cultural centre
Marina
Nature reserve
Windsurfing
Sailing
Deep-Sea Diving
Boat trips around coves, caves, tunnels, grottos & stacks

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 50 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours
Porto – 6 hours

LUZ

Luz is a charming old fishing village that successfully combines its historical character with all the facilities of a modern holiday resort.

The town centre is a pedestrian zone and the safe, gently-shelved sandy beaches make this a great holiday destination for families.

Luz offers something for everyone – a great choice of restaurants, a selection of shops, excellent leisure and sporting facilities at the Luz Ocean Club, a water sports centre and historical sites dating from the Romans that include an aqueduct, stone walls and mosaic tiled floors.

Facilities include:

Beach Bars
Bank
Shops
Water-sports include:
- windsurfing
- boating
- water-skiing
- diving
- fishing
- sailing
- surfing
there are 3 excellent golf courses nearby (Parque de Floresta, Bela Vista, & Palmares)

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 55 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours
Porto – 6 hours

MONCHIQUE

Monchique is a small, busy market town and, with relatively few exceptions, has remained untouched by tourism.

The surrounding area produces cattle, pigs, cork, wood … and the popular "medronho", a strong schnapps-type of drink made from distilling the fruit from arbutus (strawberry tree).

Sitting in the “saddle” between the hills of Foia (902 m) and Picota (774 m) – there are dramatic and beautiful views, particularly from the town's 17th Franciscan monastery, across the coastal plain to the south and the Atlantic coast to the west and there are stunning views

Monchique has steep cobbled streets where small doorways lead into a variety of artisan workshops that contribute to its charmingly rustic atmosphere.

Facilities include:

Shops
Restaurants
Cafés
Market - 2nd Friday of the month
Flea Market - 4th Sunday of the month
Craft workshops

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 1 hour 15 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours
Porto – 5 hours

ODECEIXE

Popular with surfers, Odeceixe is set on the Algarve/Alentejo border and sits on a hillside overlooking the sheltered beach on the estuary of the river Odeceixe.

Facilities include:

Bars
Restaurants
Cafés
Shops
Bank with ATM
Post Office
Mini-markets & Supermarkets
Disco
Snack-bars close to the beach

Approximate Driving Times to Portuguese Airports:

Faro - 1 hour 25 minutes
Lisbon - 2 hours 45 minutes
Porto - 5 hours 20 minutes

PORCHES

Set slightly inland, Porches is about 5 minutes from two lovely beaches.

Surrounded by pines, the village is famous for its hand painted pottery and the nearby international school.

Approximate Driving Times to Airports:

Faro - 30 minutes
Lisbon - 3 hours
Porto - 6 hours

PORTIMÃO

Portimão remains a busy port and fishing town providing a broad range of facilities for the surrounding villages.

It has a modern shopping centre and the old area near the harbour is full of restaurants.

The new marina, close to the resort of Praia da Rocha, has a great choice of bars and restaurants.

Facilities include:

Shopping centre
Supermarkets
Banks
Cafés
Restaurants
Market - 1st Monday of the month
Flea Market - 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month
Schools
Hospital
Museums
Marina
Railway Station

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 45 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours 30 minutes
Porto – 6 hours

PRAIA DA ROCHA

Praia da Rocha is one of the Algarve’s most established resorts.

It has a beautiful flat beach which is sheltered by tall cliffs and flanked by a selection of restaurants.

Facilities include:

Restaurants
Bars
Shops
Fort
Casino
Nightlife

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 51 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours, 40 minutes
Porto – 5 hours, 10 minutes

SAGRES

The small harbour town of Sagres is close to Cape St. Vincent - the most southerly western point of Europe.

It is home to an historic fort built by Prince Henry the Navigator (Príncipe D. Henrique o Navegador) to house his School of Navigation and Exploration.

There are several excellent beaches to the north and east of the town.

Rather dramatically, local fishermen can often be seen wedged in perches on the cliff face whilst the sea thunders below – however the local restaurants do have an excellent reputation for the variety and freshness of their fish!

Facilities include:

Restaurants
Cafés
Market - 1st Friday of the month
Beaches
Windsurfing
Sailing

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 1 hour 30 minutes
Lisbon – 2 hours 15 minutes
Porto – 5 hours 30 minutes

SALEMA

Fishermen can be seen bringing home their catch and mending their nets in this active fishing village.

Salema can be windy - particularly to the west of the village - which can be a pleasantly cooling on hot summer days!

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 1 hour 10 minutes
Lisbon – 3 hours
Porto – 5 hours, 30 minutes

SILVES

Surrounded by rolling countryside and orange groves, this quiet town is dominated by its Moorish sandstone castle.

Crossing the Rio Arade beneath the town’s 15th century walls, the Ponte Romana (bridge) is a reminder of the Roman occupation.

A Silves’ speciality is the “Morgados” pumpkin cake.

North of the town, forested hills give way to the Monchique mountains where two Dams (the Arade and the Foz) form reservoirs (Barragem) set in lovely countryside.

Facilities include:

Restaurants
Shops
Cafés
Bars
Market - 3rd Monday of the month
Museum
Railway Station
Golf

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 1 hour
Lisbon – 2 hours
Porto – 6 hours

VALE DA TELHA

The peaceful village of Vale da Telha is set in the Costa Vicentina National Park.

It is on the coast, between Monte Clerigo and Arrifana beaches, and about 6 kms from Aljezur.

Facilities include:

Restaurants
Bars
Cafés
Supermarket

Approximate Driving Time to Airports:

Faro – 1 hour, 20 minutes
Lisbon – 3 hours, 10 minutes
Porto – 5 hours, 40 minutes

Golf in the Western Algarve

Western Algarve Golf Courses	Location
Alto Golf & Country Club	Alvor
Boavista Golf Resort	Lagos
Gramacho Pestana Golf Resort	Carvoeiro
Golfe do Morgado	Portimão
Golfe dos Álamos Morgado do Reguengo	Portimão
Palmares Golf	Lagos
Parque da Floresta	Budens
Penina Golf	Portimão
Silves Golf Course	Silves
Vale da Pinta Pestana Golf Resort	Carvoeiro

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