Top Algarve hotels
The weekly newspaper "Algarve resident" gives a good rundown on news in the Algarve and news that might have interest for foreigners living in the Algarve and whenever I am in the Algarve i always try and get a copy of the paper every week as i find it very informative.
I will here offer my two cents regarding the Algarve where you plan to spend your second week...as the Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra etc. are places so much more covered already with good practical info.What you've probably heard about the Algarve being touristy and riddled with a certain hyped and glitzy resort-type atmosphere and worse, outrageous behaviour especially at the beaches, is quite accurate but only partly true.Algarve, like all the other regions of Portugal, is clearly divided in topographical diversity from the coast to its gorgeous hilly/mountainous interior, not to mention diverse in cultural offerings especially at their rural settings. So, don't be dissuade by half-truths about the Algarve, go and spend your worthy week here, pick the good better little nooks of fantastic villages - inland and on the uncrowded part of the coast - soak up the Mediterranean-type terrain and...
The beaches on the Algarve are very good and are really clean but you need to do your bit to keep them that way. If you smoke don't just drop your cigarette ends on the beach, pick up one of those red cones from the stands were you walk onto the beach, stick them into the sand and put some sand into them. they are ash trays and when you pick them up after the sand will fall out of the holes in the bottom and the Cig ends will stay inside so you can dispose of them in the bins provided.Please don't drop your litter on the floor, put it into the bin.
I think it's always good to have some inportant local numbers with you.National Emergency Number: 112Ambulance: (+351) 289 416 702/703/704Hospitals:Faro Hospital: (+351) 289 803 411Lagos Hospital: (+351) 282 763 034Portimao Hospital: (+351) 282 450 300Police Services:Albufeira: (+351) 289 513 203Faro: (+351) 289 822 022 Lagos: (+351) 282 762 930 Olhao: (+351) 289 702 144 Portimao: (+351) 282 417 510 Tavira: (+351) 281 322 022 Vilamoura: (+351) 289 388 989 Fire Station: (+351) 289 416 702/703/704Train Station: (+351) 282 762 987 Bus Station: (+351) 282 762 944 Faro Airport: (+351) 289 800 800 Algarve Tourist Board: (+351) 289 800 400 Tourist Support Services: (+351) 808 78 12 12 Tourist Information Centres:Aljezur: (+351) 282 998 229 Lagos: (+351) 282 763 031 Sagres: (+351) 282 624 873 Civil Protection: (+351) 21 424 71 00Civil protection District Office: (+351) 289 806 937
Have a look at the cliffs.The algarve has some super cliff formations which change every year because of tides,erosion and stormy weather.I have over the last 8 years taken some lovely pics of them so here is just a few
the people.. feeling safe.. the culture.. the beaches.. i just loved it.. i went as a single female traveller and drove round all over.. it is so easy to drive over there and i didn't get lost once .. and the drivers aren't scary like some countries i have been to.. not to mention their sister country Spain, for one lol!!! Highly recommend the algarve and will visit again many times and hopefully eventually buy property there for my "older" years! mateus wine lol.. tis not a prob though.. may cost a little more but I can buy it here. I just loved the quiet pace and feeling safe. I travelled there oct/nov.. so the weather was good for 5 days and then rain and thunderstorms..but at least it's warm rain and people texting me saying it was cold in the UK!!! Travelling out in oct/nov however it is very quiet.. but that's what I was looking for. Albuferia still had life in it.. but i was...
through out all algarve one of the atractions are ...chimenysthis one smaller and cute was waiting on the pool lawn of the hotel, to be putted on someones roof. and they are one of the main features of the Algarve. if yu look close you´ll see throu out the region the rooftops full of chimneys.being there, hand touch, i took the pic...
Just a few kms from the hustle and bustle of the posh and touristy beaches we may find some authentic and real small villages, where life and habits are so different from the ones on the coast. The population is mainly elderly who seem to abstract and live in a different context. Be sure not to miss a visit to one of these villages, as Alcoutim for instance (East).
Algarve covers the south of Portugal spreading from West to East for about 100km. Algarve coincides with the District, being that Faro is the main city capital of this area. On its East side it borders Spain (Andalucia), and it is bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Algarve is much more than just beaches and nightlife. Its interior landscape is very beautiful and unknown for most visitors. There are 2 major mountains in Algarve - Serra do Caldeirão (West) and Serra de Monchique (East); in-between there is the Espinhaço de Cão. Unfortunately, some of these mountains have been severely damaged by fires which occur every summer. But still, there is plenty to visit and enjoy. In some areas there are also dams, which always provide a pleasant and refreshing landscape in hot summer days and mild winters.
Sheraton Algarve Hotel at Pine Cliffs Resort Albufeira Albufeira
1 Review and 411 Opinions I stayed two nights here in December 2004. The pools & garden are very nice. There is a indoor pool,...
Aqualuz Aparthotel Lagos
2 Reviews and 144 Opinions Very good self-catering apartments. Very busy during August so have to book well in advance....
Tivoli Carvoeiro Faro
1 Review and 382 Opinions Rooms are in need of a makeover - ours was noisey especially in the evening in the form of...
Reviews and photos of Algarve attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Algarve sightseeing.
More Cities in Algarve
Q: Is it better I book my hotel in Albufeira or Lagos if I am going to visit Monchique; by public bus? How long would the journey...
A: Lagos would be much better, Portimão better still!. The buses to Monchique leave from Portimão, which is 20 minutes by fast bus or train from Lagos, 40 minutes by the...
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