Algarve news and information portal - AlgarveMais

Tavira is one of the most picturesque towns in the Algarve, The city was once the most important commercial port in the Algarve, exporting fish, salt, figs, olive oil, wines and almonds, Fishing is still on important industry, The distinctive architecture provides a glimpse of Tavira 's historical past, 
Tavira Island offers you 11 Kms of pretty beaches and is reached by boot or water taxi, 

60 % of the Vila do Bispo area is part of Natural Reserve of SudoEste Alentejano and Costa Vicentina. In Vila do Bispo you can find the Nature and the Sea mixed to history and culture. Sagres is the most western part of Europe. It will forever be in History or the Portuguese Discoverers The Tip of Sagres, is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, a clear indication of the boldness of escapades past where the "New Worlds" were discovered,
This village has an important historical and maritime significance, from where, 500 years ago, Prince D. Henrique´s caravels left to look for new countries.
Sagres is situated inside the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina Natural Park, at the most South-Westerly point of Portugal and Europe.
The coast around Sagres is dotted with more than 20 beaches: some  sandy coves hidden at the foot of cliffs, others broad expanses of sand that stretch away to the horizon, all inviting you to discover them and rediscover peace and solitude. Here, in an increasingly developed world, we are before an unspoilt vision of nature.
In these pages you will discover some of the pleasures and treasures that await you, and also some of the excellent facilities available to the visitor. We hope you enjoy your virtual visit, and look forward to your actual visit very soon.
The discovery of the cultural authenticity of the area and the possibility of walking on desert beaches, allow you to forget about the real world.
From the fishing village of Sagres come the excellent fish and seafood that can be quietly savoureda, a contrast to the more usual cosmopolitan bustle of the Algarve coast.
The two surf camps that are located in and around the small traditional village called "Sagres", near Cape Sao Vincente, the furthest west point in Europe. The area has beautiful beaches bordered by cliffs.

Located 13 km north - west of Faro, Almancil is an interesting town which has grown in size to meet the needs of the nearby resorts of Quinta do Lago and Vale do lobo. It is a bustling little town full of shops, restaurants and local businesses. What to see the interior of the Church of São Lourenço on the outskirts of Almancil is covered with hand pointed blue and white tiles depicting the life of the Saint, dates 1730. Next door to the church is São Lourenço Cultural Centre, check out the exhibitions, events and beautiful gardens, The nearby resorts of Quinta do logo and Vale do Lobo offer wonderful beaches, championship golf courses, designer shopping and many excellent restaurants.

Of eyes positions in the Sea.  
"She exposed herself to the sea - front, beautiful and not dependable, as a tempting fruit to be the mercy who passes."  
Prof. Jose Hermano Saraiva  
Closed in her walls. Lagos is one of the most welcoming shelters of the Portuguese coast The walls, built in the reign of D, Manuel, D João II ond D, Filipe I, were involved for its defense of pirates and from hostile  fleets. The narrow streets are mysterious depicting past dealings in gold and ivory, Most roads lead to plazas and gardens, allowing you to enjoy the cities mysterious atmosphere. 

Portimão is one of the touristic centers of the western Algarve. Despite many overdeveloped resorts along the Algarve coast, there are still plenty of places which do not show the typical invasion of the tourists from northern Europe.
Portimão grew during the period of the discoverers and, subsequently, it become on important fishing centre As a city it has few storical monuments, however its centre is blessed with 19th and 20th century architecture. When speaking of Portimão, we quickly associate with the Beach of the Rock, The councils most famous)s however, other nooks of extream beauty exist - that is Vau beach, the beach of Joao de Arens, (between, cliffs and islands) and the island of Nossa senhora do Rosário, in the Arade estuary.

Albufeira was once a quiet fishing village. From the sixties, it has grown to become a popular tourist destination.  
With 30 Kms of coast offering a total of 23 beaches, many restaurants and bars Albufeira has become a year round resort with probable the liveliest nightlife in the Algarve.
 

Faro is a small provincial capital of the Algarve with a population of about 40,000 inhabitants.

 It’s located on the southern tip of Portugal and serves as the gateway to the many resorts that dot the surrounding area.
From a short distance of the harbour is the main modern shopping and dinning street of Rua de Santo Antonio.
For night life, you will have to go to Rua do Prior and to Conselheiro Bivar for outdoor cafes and bars. The biggest attraction of the town is the beach of Praia de Farot, it’s possible to take a ferry there from the jetty beside the Old City, or 'Cidade Velha'.
 The old walled neighbourhood of Cidade Velha at the southern end of the harbour is where the town began as a Moorish settlement. Christians replaced the mosque with the Sé, or cathedral. The nearby Museo Arqueologico displays some impressive ancient Roman artefacts. Don't miss the bizarre secret in the back yard of the Igreja do Carmo church, near the central Post Office on Largo do Carmo: the Capela dos Ossos, or Chapel of Bones, which is decorated with the remains of 1,200 monks. In order to find typical goods from Faro, go to the morning market on Largo de Sa Carneiro which is open from 6.30am till 1.30pm. The mid-13th Century small Cathedral in the centre of the Largo de Sé was probably built on the site of a Moorish mosque. The fine old buildings on the perimeter of the square include an 18th Century Episcopal palace and the current Town Hall. The statue in the square is of Bishop Francisco Gomes, who co-ordinated the rebuilding of Faro after it was destroyed by the great earthquake of 1755. You can visit three museums in Faro: the Lapidary Museum, the Ethnological Museum and the Maritime Museum which has lots of models, including Vasco da Gama’s ship São Gabriel. Ria Formosa lagoon is a nature reserve of over 17.000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during the spring and autumn migratory periods. The beach is almost 7 kms distant from the city and is a long sandy spit reached by crossing a bridge not far from the International Airport.
Historically the oldest city Faro hosts paramount values of the cultural patrimony, namely its cathedral, the. "Arco do Repouso" and the "Nossa Senhora da Assunção Convent".  
Its Culture and traditional dress is reflected in its whitewashed houses, with characteristic roots, arches and narrow streets  Enjoyable are the wonderful, quiet islands, situated in the Rio Formosa, who access is obtained by boat, You con also go to Faro beach, a spit separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. 
The city has both Arab and Roman ruins but most of the present attractive older buildings were constructed after the disastrous earthquake of 1755 and the earlier one of 1532. Particularly attractive is the old part of the city surrounded still by the Roman walls which date back to the 9^th. Inside a spacious open square that was once the site of the Roman Forum is a 13^th Century Cathedral that faces the 18^th Century Episcopal palace.

Belief has it that the name Olhão originated from the Arabian word "AI - Hain" meaning nascent spring.  
The city is characterized by the simplicity of its people, the main industry being fishing and the results thereof, an example being the canned food industry,  
Considered one of the main national fishing ports, it is also tile capital of the Ria Formosa and finds itself constantly developing in quality and forward thinking 
The gastronomy is rich where you can find magnificent fish dishes and seafood straight from the Ria Formosa.