Introducing the Algarve

Faro, the region’s capital, has notable 11th Century archaeological remains and is now one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations.

Loulé also has historic sites and is now the commercial centre for inland towns and nearby resort towns.

The Algarve (from the old Arabic word Al-Gharb) has a climate and activities that draws thousands of visitors a year to relax and have fun.

With numerous championship golf courses, water sports, sandy beaches, restaurants and a vibrant dusk ‘til dawn nightlife, there’s plenty to enjoy for all visitors.

Essentials

The Algarve is used to an influx of British visitors every summer and as such is much more geared towards receiving English visitors than most of the other venues.

There are tourist information offices at Fari International Airport, Rua da Misericordio and Avenida 5 de Outubro.

The Algarve has several medical facilities including Faro Hospital (Tel: 289 803 411). For non-emergency calls, Faro police station is available on Tel: 289 815 845.

Arriving in Faro

Faro International Airport lies 4 miles west of faro town centre, 9 miles from Loule, and has many standard facilities but little in the way of eating places, other than an expensive self-service canteen.

There is, however, a bank, cash machine and tourist information office.

During the summer months, an Aerobus service runs from the airport to Faro bus station on a 15-minute trip and is free upon production of a flight ticket.

Local buses, 14 and 16, make the 25-minute trip from the airport to the bus terminal and Jardem Manuel Bivar, by the harbour, at a cost of 1 euro.  From the EVA terminal in Faro, buses depart for Loule every 30 minutes.

The train journey to Lisbon takes around five hours and costs around 14 euros one-way.

Buses arrive into the terminal on Avenida de Republica every five hours from Lisbon following a three and a half hour journey costing 15 euros.

Getting Around

Faro is well served by public transport. One-day bus passes are available from the main bus terminal for unlimited travel on the bus network in the region.

During the summer months, there are regular boat services from Arco da Porta Nova linking Faro to the sandbar beaches on the islands of Farol and Barreta.

Loule is best seen on foot however there is a network of buses in operation during the day. The route between Loule and Faro is generally the busiest.

Out & About

There is plenty to see and do around the Algarve. In Faro, the busiest area is around the harbour with several cafes and restarants.

Most of the shops, bars and restaurants are located a block away from the harbour on Rua de Santo Antonio. For late night entertainment, head towards the pedestrainised areas of Rua Conselheiro Bivar, Rua do Prior and Rua de Madalena.

For anyone on a budget or in self-catering accomodation, there is a market at the weekend and a few supermarkets opposite the bus station and on Rua 1 de Maio.

Along the coast in Vilamoura, there are several decent clubs. Most are quiet until around 11pm but then they hot up and keep on going until dawn.

Further along the coast in Albufeira, there are a reported 900 bars.

The Algarve has plenty of actvities to keep everyone interested and entertained. In addition to the miles of sandy beaches, there are hosts of watersports, casinos, zoos, aquariums, 26 golf courses and four waterparks.