Favorite thing: The name Albufeira is derived from the Arab name 'Al-buhera' meaning 'the Sea Castle' most probably due to the proximity of the sea and/or the lagoon which would form at the lower area of the settlement. The Arabs built solid defense fortifications, rendering the settlement almost impregnable - one of the reasons why the Arabs managed to keep Albufeira in their power for a longer time. The development of agriculture was notable as new techniques and plant species were introduced. The Arabs introduced the plough as well as watermills to bring water up from wells. They also introduced new irrigation methods namely the construction of dams and dikes, thus transforming barren zones into cultivated areas and orchards.
Fondest memory: ALBUFEIRA
Written Aug 25, 2002
Favorite thing: Armação de Pera History
Not very long ago this town was once nothing more than a collection of small shacks where the local residents from the nearby town of Pera used to maintain their fishing boats. It is quite probable that the name “Armação” is a link with the distant past of the great Tuna fishing industry that existed along the Algarve from the 15th Century and before. This later fell under the protection of a small 18th Century fort that still remains in part to this day.
Written Aug 25, 2002
Favorite thing: Albufeira has everything for a marvellous stay in order for you to enjoy its golden beaches and clear, warm waters, or else just relax or rest or look for adventure.
Albufeira has 23 beaches for you to choose from covering 30 km.of coast. Look for the blue flags posted on the beaches which signify pure ocean water.
Written Aug 25, 2002
Favorite thing: The cliff-lined coast is punctuated with beaches of a Mediterranean climate. The summers are hot and the winters are mild with limited rainfall mainly between the months of October through March, giving an average yearly temperature of 17.5ºC.
Albufeira is acknowledged as one of the main tourist regions of the country.
Written Aug 25, 2002
Favorite thing: Albufeira’s origins are unknown, but all evidence leads one to believe that the region was already inhabited during prehistoric times and the location where the city stands today was at one time, a few centuries prior to our day, an important settlement with its own harbour.
Written Aug 25, 2002
Favorite thing: From 1985 onwards, the Borough of Carvoeiro therefore became one of the five boroughs within the Lagoa Municipality, part of the Faro District, and it borders on the Estômbar and Lagoa boroughs to the west, north and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to the south. The borough area is 12.8 square kilometers, which is 13.7 % of the Lagoa municipal territory. Forty percent of the municipal coastline is in the borough, and its excellent cliffside beaches with scenic landscapes triggered the tourist influx, especially from the U.K., at the beginning, during the sixties. After that , visitors of other nationalities such as Germans discovered the attractions of the area.
However, in centuries gone by the Carvoeiro coast was coveted by other civilisations, especially in the view of its connections with the sea -fishing and coastal defense. The fact that archaeological relics have been found of the shore at Praia do Carvoeiro, such as a lead Roman anchor stock and a 13th century iron anchor, prove this point.
Written Aug 25, 2002
Favorite thing: Located in the center of the Algarve in Portugal’s southernmost region, Albufeira is the seat of the county and belongs to the administrative district of Faro which is located 39 Km. away.
Totaling an area of 14,800 hectares, and with a population of approximately 40,000 residents, this county is divided into five parishes: Albufeira, Ferreiras, Guia, Olhos d'Água and Paderne.
Written Aug 25, 2002
Favorite thing: Enjoy the night life in Albufeira. Lots of bars and discos open until morning.
Enjoy the gold sandy beaches. Some are small surrounded by beautiful rocks and others are long where you can get more privacy. Water sports are available in almost all beaches.
Fondest memory: Visit the centre of Albufeira (the old town). You should walk and 'get lost' in the narrow, picturesque streets.
Written Aug 25, 2002
Favorite thing: You must go downtown and minge with the locals and other turists. Do some walking and shopping, and experience some of the local cuisine....It's truly amazing!!!!
Fondest memory: The best thing about Faro is that it is a small town, so you can relax and enjoy the Portuguese culture.
Written Aug 24, 2002
Favorite thing: Go West young man!(or woman; any age!). Visit Sagres at 'The End Of The World'. This is a small, quiet fishing harbour. Close by is Cape St. Vincent, the most SouthWesterly point in Europe - the last land seen by the great Portuguese explorers as they set out to discover 'The New World'. Situated on the coast between the Cape and Sagres is the fort where Henry the Navigator planned his expeditions.
An excellent retaurant - especially the seafood - is 'A Tasca', which is situated halfway down a set of steps leading down from the main street to the harbour. If the weather is clement you can sit on the outside terrace overlooking the harbour.
Fondest memory: I have TWO fond memories of Sagres (pronounced Sa-gresh); the first is sitting on the clifftops less than five minutes walk from the main street, alone in the warm sun with nothing to be heard but the buzz of the bees, and the songs of the birds - perfect peace! The second is the delight of eating 'Prawns A Tasca' (Prawns cooked in a garlic sauce, which one eats with ones fingers - a finger bowl and napkin are essential) accompanied by half a bottle of Vino Verde - sheer bliss!
Written Aug 24, 2002
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Reviews and photos of Faro attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Faro sightseeing.

Go West young man!(or woman; any age!). Visit Sagres at 'The End Of The World'. This is a small, quiet fishing harbour. Close by is Cape St. Vincent, the most...
64 members live in Faro
Q: Our travel agent planned our vacation with a stop in Faro for some relaxing on the beach time. Are there no good beaches in Faro?...

A: Hmmm - it look like our Faro pages don't have much for tips on beaches. Hopefully, a local member will jump in here with good information but, just searching around on...
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I travelled through Portugal and Spain with main stops in Lisbon and Marbella in May 2006. As it was almost impossible to get from Lisbon to Marbella on public transportation in one day, I decided to...
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Everyone knows Faro Airport. Thousands throng its arrivals and departure areas weekly and then vanish westwards to the heavily touristed beaches and golf clubs of The Algarve. Big mistake ! The...
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Lots of tourist skip Faro to head to the main seaside resorts in the Algarve. I think it is a pity, because the city has a nice old core and some pedestrian streets with many shops and cafes. Faro has...
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Faro is the administrative centre of the Algarve region with a population exceeding 40.000 people. The city has both Roman and Arab ruins, but most of the attractive older buildings have been built......
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I chose Faro for my first trip of 2006 because, having already been to Lisbon and Oporto, I wanted to see the Algarve. Also, I hoped that the weather would be better than in the UK. I wanted to get......
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