Vila Real de St Antionio.
Vila Real (royal town) is the most easterly town on the Algarve and is situated on the River Guadiana, which forms the natural border between Spain and Portugal.
The town itself was built in 1744 on the site of the former town Santo Antonio de Arenilha, which was washed away by the sea in the 16th century and because the land was so flat it was rebuilt in just 5 months, a considerable feat in those days. Between the town and the Ocean is the popular beach resort area named Monte Gordo that offers the tourist kilometres of sea washed beach lined with a pine forest. It is a very pleasant and relaxing experience to cross the river by ferryboat to visit the Spanish town of Ayamonte, or, take a tourist boat trip upriver to the charming small Portuguese town of Alcoutim.
Tavira
Tavira is considered by many to be the most beautiful town in the Algarve. Standing on the battlements of the Moorish castle on top of the hill, you have a panoramic view over the steeply angled tiled roofs of the city as it is bisected by the gently flowing river Séquia, which becomes the river Gilão as it flows beneath the Roman bridge that connects Tavira’s two halves.
The city possesses no less than 37 churches. Many of these churches are beautifully constructed and display a sumptuous decorative style, often presenting masterful artistry through frescoes, paintings, wood carvings, sculptures, tile and gilt work.
Royally positioned adjacent to the castle is the church of Santa Maria, perhaps the principal of the city’s temples. Built on the site of the old Moorish mosque, its foundation dates back to the Christian conquest of Tavira from the Moors in 1238.
The church of the Misericordia, not far from the narrow streets of the old, medieval city, is famed for its superbly carved stone Renaissance portal, whilst inside one can view the main alter – an extravagant and superior work of 18th century carving and gilt craftsmanship.
Faro
Faro is the administrative center for the whole of the Algarve region. The old part of the city is particularly attractive, surrounded still by the Roman walls. Inside a spacious open square that once was the site of the Roman Forum is a 13 th Century Cathedral that faces the 18 th Century Episcopal palace. An interesting building is the neighboring 16 th Century Convent that is now turned into the home of the city’s archaeological museum.
It is also contains the macabre spectacle of a chapel lined with the bones from over 1.200 monks! Next to the small boat basin bordering the Praça de Dom FranciscoGomes is a small Naval Museum composed of scale model boats and galleons showing the maritime history of the coast. Much of the city is now composed of apartments and there are many attractive shops and a particularly artistic theatre.
Faro is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, 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 7kms distant from the city. The municipal council has an active cultural department organizing different and various events during the year.
Abufeira
This quaint unofficial tourist caiptal of the Algarve, has all the holiday razzamatazz you could wish for. Old Albufeira with it's labrynth of tiny streets packed full of interesting shops and the square full of restaurants that can satisfy any pallet.
Just off the square is the beach known as Fishermans Beach. Mingled in with the subathers are the working boats that fish the seas daily for Sardines, a local speciality.
New Albufeira on the east side is best known for it's throughfare ' The Strip'. The Strip strecthes from Montechoro Hotel past scores of cafes, restaurants and bars all the way down to the beach ' Praia da Oura'. At night the strip comes alive with music and neon lights. Dance the night away at one of the bars or nightclubs. Look out for Chokka Chequebook the publication that gives you free drinks and entrance into the nightclubs.
Lagos
Capital of the Algarve from 1576 to 1765, Lagos has a long and chequered history. The Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors all settled here, due to the advantages of its large natural harbour. In the 15th century, King João I sailed from Lagos to conquer Ceuta in North Africa, and local men then built the frail boats which Prince Henry the Navigator sent out to probe even further down the uncharted East African coast. The 1755 earthquake devastated the city and the seat of local government was subsequently moved to Faro. What to see. The city's walls are the largest and best-preserved in the Algarve. The slave market located in Rossio da Trindade was the first of its kind in Portugal. At the Chapel of Santo António, King Sebastian attended his last mass on the eve of his ill-fated expedition to Morocco in 1578. After the battle of Alcácer-Quibir, he and 8,000 of his troops lay dead, spelling the end of the House of Avis dynasty. The chapel also houses a regional museum with artefacts from the Bronze and Iron Ages and sacred art dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Nearby. Eroded into natural tunnels, arches and grottoes, the cliffs at Ponte da Piedade 3 km from Lagos offer a marine fantasy world for people visiting the region. A long drive west of Lagos is Sagres, a town best known for its associations with Prince Henry the Navigator, whose single purpose was to spur men to discover Africa, India and the Far East
Praia da Rocha
Fine golden sands as far as the eye can see. Calm turquoise waters. Ochre cliffs and rocks sculpted into fantastical shapes. Such is the natural beauty of Praia da Rocha, a place which inspires visitors today as it has always done.
Discovered by tourism at the end of the 19th century, it was for decades the favored resort of well-to-do families from Portimão, the Algarve and Andalusia in summer, and of the English in winter.
In the 50s and 60s Praia da Rocha began to draw an increasingly international clientele and these days it is a cosmopolitan tourism centre and a byword throughout Europe for sun, sea and sand.
Praia da Rocha is famous on the Algarve for its busy night life. The main road along Praia da Roch is littered with bars, restaurants and night club. The area to the east of Praia da Rocha boasts a new marina where you can watch the marina activity or the river entrance from the new commercial restaurant centre. There are 3 beaches at Praia da Rocha, one is in the centre and is a 2km stretch of golden sand to the east is a recently made small beach which sits alongside the new Marina de Portimao. The 3rd beach is Praia do Vau which sits to the west between Praia da Rocha and Alvor.
