Welcome to Algarve
Welcome to Algarve - the city of Azulejos
Several group of people have settled in Algarve: the Celtics, the Romans, the Greeks, the Phoenicians, the Carthagians, the Moors and the Visigots. Each of these communities have let impacts on the city especially on the architecture. The Moors have created the azulejos, a sort of small decorative tiles which can be seen everywhere in Algarve: houses, churches, roofs. Algarve comes from the moorish word of the name of the region: Al-Gharb. The city was mostly destroyed by a earthquake in 1755. As for the chuches, they are known to have a Manueline architecture. This architecture is characterized with high ceilings and arch ways, nautical themes and fantastical creatures from tales of the New World. Another popular thing is pottery. We can find several artesanato shops and handicraft stalls. Each year, Algarve has a lot of carnivals and festivals. There are good invitations to celebrate and enjoy the lifestyle of Algarve.
Information and fact
Night-life
Algarve offers you various places where you can enjoy your evenings. You will find any kind of bars: the Lounge Zero, Caniço, Bar Capicua, Stevie Ray’s Blues Jazz Bar and Bar at Bela Vista. Prices for the drinks are very inexpensive. Night walks in the Via Algarviana can be a good opportunity to know the city better. If you fancy listenning some Fado (the traditional Portuguese music), you can listen it in the streets or in some bars.
Shopping
There are huge shopping centres The Algarve Shopping has 150 shops and it is an open air shopping centre. Another shopping centre, the Fórum Algarve where there are lots of shops as well.
Sigthseeing
Algarve offers beautiful beaches like Terra Estreita Beach. Those beaches are perfect for families, surfing or any watersports. There are also touristic attractions for families: Zoo Marine, Dolphins in the wild, Aqualand. If you like golfing, you will golf courses like Quinta da Ria or San Lorenzo.
Time
Standard time zone: UTC/ GMT +00.00
Climate
In Algarve, summers are hot and dry (29C) when winters are mild (15C). During springs and autumns, the weather is mild: temperatures vary between 17C to 20C. This area can have 50 days of rain for a year.
Public transport
The city of Algarve has a reliable and efficient public transportations. There is a local bus that offers cheap prices, EVA buses. There are buses every 30 minutes. Also, trains are very convenient if you want to look around the city; the company for the train is called the Caminhos de Ferro Portugueses.
The best and easiest way to travel in the city is by bus. They are quick and punctual.