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Published: 30 August 2017

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Carvoeiro was a small, traditional fishing village that survived on tuna catches however, not surprisingly given its idyllic location on the Atlantic coastline, it has become an incredibly popular resort and has developed accordingly to keep pace.

Whether you are planning to live and work in the Algarve, retire or invest, the region has something for all.

Carvoeiro is well placed in central Algarve, being close to an International School, Faro airport, public and private hospitals, and also a motorway network connecting the Algarve to the rest of Portugal and Spain. There are various supermarkets catering to all tastes and diets plus local markets offering fresh local products.

Whilst infrastructure is important, so too is lifestyle and in the Algarve you can enjoy whatever pace of life you prefer. The region offers year-round cultural events, an international racetrack, major golfing tournaments and much more for visitors and residents alike. With many of the Algarve’s beaches winning the Blue Flag the coast is an important asset for residents and a major tourist attraction.

Carvoeiro has a vibrant, year-round international community living in the town and its environs. For those enjoying sports there are two tennis clubs, various golf courses a short drive away (two on the edge of the town), cycling routes, two diving centres, dance groups, various gyms and centres to enjoy yoga, tai chi etc plus great local areas for bird watching and the opportunity to enjoy walking trails. For those who prefer less energetic activities there are local choirs, amateur dramatic groups, bands and much more to keep you busy.

Most faiths are represented in the region offering the opportunity to worship locally.

Restaurants and bars

One thing you will not be short of in Carvoeiro is somewhere to eat and drink. There is a wide selection of bars, restaurants and cafés all within easy walking distance of the centre offering a choice of different cuisines.

To download a guide to the Algarve’s wine, click here

For a Cataplana recipe book click here

For traditional Portuguese recipes download here

Shopping

There are plenty of shops in the town for your everyday needs and various supermarkets close by. With shopping malls in Portimão to the west and Algarve Shopping in Guia (near Albufeira) to the east, shoppers will find all their favourite stores close by.  With plenty of seats in the sun, restaurants and cafés and a multi-screen cinema located in Algarve Shopping, the late-night shopping means you can work or relax throughout the day.

Events

Throughout the year there are many fairs, festivals and shows, too many to list however, for up-to-date information on current events click here

History

The region historically suffered from frequent pirate and military assaults. One such battle occurred in 1544 when a fleet of ships, commanded by D. Pedro da Cunha, fought the Turkish Barbary Coast pirate, Xarramet. From historical records, the earliest settlement at this spot was called Caboiere, dating to the Islamic-medieval period, an old name for a hamlet of fishermen.

To the east of the town overlooking the beach is the site of a fortress called Forte de Nossa Senhora de Encarnação. The fortress was ordered to be built in 1670 as part of the coastal defences of the Algarve, alongside the hermitage chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Incarnation. It was significantly damaged during the earthquake of 1755 with the chapel being completely ruined. The reconstruction of the fort began in 1796 however, in 1840, both the fortress and chapel were considered in a state of ruin with the fortress being deactivated in 1861. It began to serve as a fiscal outpost after 1870 having been commandeered by the Guarda Fiscal (a military force with duties related to customs and taxation). The chapel was restored in 1942 and again in 1965. The original church bell can still be seen at the front of the building which continues to serve the local community celebrating Mass.

Algar Seco, a few hundred metres to the east of the chapel and beach just along the boardwalk, is a popular place to visit where the sea has carved out a labyrinth of sculptures, grottoes and water-spouts and is great for spotting marine life. In 2011, local fishermen sighted a blue whale and occasionally dolphins can be seen exploring the coastline, often trailing boats for fun.

The lighthouse, Farol de Alfazina, is situated at the edge of the village to the east and is open on Wednesdays between 2pm and 5pm. It is situated along the Seven Hanging Valleys trail and has free parking. Offering superb views out to sea and along the coastline, the lighthouse is close to an algar (pit cave) and many birds, including birds of prey, can be seen in the vicinity. The lighthouse opened in 1920 and was connected to mains electricity in 1981, becoming fully automated later that year. The current range of the lighthouse is approximately 45kms.

If you are feeling in need of an active history lesson, an interesting trail to follow in the Algarve is the Umayyad Route, the path which the Arabs travelled throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Europe starting in the 8th century through to the 13th.

For more information on the area click here for Lagoa and here for Portimão

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Published: 30 August 2017

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Burgau is a coastal town that once survived on the fishermen’s catch however, today it is a busy place with much to offer its community.

Whether you are planning to live and work in the Algarve, retire or invest, the region has something for all.

Burgau is placed on the easterly edge of the national park known as Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina (Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Nature Park). There are two International Schools nearby; Vale Verde in Burgau and Barlavento International Primary School, with Faro airport, public and private hospitals, and also a motorway network connecting the Algarve to the rest of Portugal and Spain easily accessible.

Whilst infrastructure is important, so too is lifestyle and in the Algarve, you can enjoy whatever pace of life you prefer. The region offers year-round cultural events, an international racetrack, major golfing tournaments and much more for visitors and residents alike. With many of the Algarve’s beaches winning the Blue Flag the coast is an important asset for residents and a major tourist attraction.

Burgau has a year-round international community living in the town and its environs. For those enjoying sports there is much to choose from; tennis, golf, cycling routes, diving, blo karting, surfing, bird watching and walking to name but a few. For those who prefer less energetic activities there are choirs, amateur dramatic groups, bands and much more in the region to keep you busy.

Most faiths are represented in the region offering the opportunity to worship locally.

Restaurants and bars

There are a variety of places to eat and drink in Burgau offering a wide choice of cuisine.

To download a guide to the Algarve’s wine, click here

For a Cataplana recipe book click here

For traditional Portuguese recipes download here

Shopping

There are several small supermarkets in the village with Praia da Luz and Lagos a short drive away where you will find larger supermarkets and daily markets selling fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, dried fruit and preserves.

There are two shopping malls to the east; one in Portimão and the second, Algarve Shopping, in Guia (near Albufeira) where shoppers will find all their favourite stores. With plenty of seats in the sun, restaurants and cafés and a multi-screen cinema located in Algarve Shopping, the late-night shopping means you can work or relax throughout the day.

Events

Throughout the year there are many fairs, festivals and shows, too many to list however, for up-to-date information on current events click here

History

The Forte de São Luís de Almadena is set on the cliffs in the direction of Salema. It was built in the 17th century but damaged in the 1755 earthquake and was then abandoned in the mid-19th century.

Nearby at the western end of Salema beach, dinosaur footprints (discovered in 1995) can be seen in the rock.

During the 15th century Sagres, 23kms away, was the base for the Voyages of Discovery, instigated by Prince Henry the Navigator, with trade between Africa and Portugal bringing a great deal of wealth to the Algarve. There is a fortress that includes a church, museum, outdoor compass and also the lighthouse on Ponta de Sagres, with a light that reaches 20kms out to sea.

If you are feeling in need of an active history lesson, an interesting trail to follow in the Algarve is the Umayyad Route, the path which the Arabs travelled throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Europe starting in the 8th century through to the 13th.

For more information on place of interest in the area click here for Vila do Bispo and here for Lagos.

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Published: 30 August 2017

Hits: 11923

Benagil was a small, traditional fishing village and is now a small community living close to a beautiful beach that has many grottoes, natural sandstone arches and many other natural features both to the east and west.

Whether you are planning to live and work in the Algarve, retire or invest, the region has something for all.

Benagil is well placed in central Algarve, being close to an International School, Faro airport, public and private hospitals, and also a motorway network connecting the Algarve to the rest of Portugal and Spain.

Whilst infrastructure is important, so too is lifestyle and in the Algarve you can enjoy whatever pace of life you prefer. The region offers year-round cultural events, an international racetrack, major golfing tournaments and much more for visitors and residents alike. With many of the Algarve’s beaches winning the Blue Flag the coast is an important asset for residents and a major tourist attraction.

Benagil is a small hamlet but has a year-round international community living in its environs. For those enjoying sports there are two tennis clubs, various golf courses a short drive away, cycling routes, walking trails, birdwatching two diving centres, dance groups, various gyms and centres to enjoy yoga, tai chi etc. For those who prefer less energetic activities there are local choirs, amateur dramatic groups, bands and much more to keep you busy.

Most faiths are represented in the region offering the opportunity to worship locally.

Restaurants and bars

There is a small selection of bars, restaurants and cafés in the area offering a choice of different cuisines.

To download a guide to the Algarve’s wine, click here

For a Cataplana recipe book click here

For traditional Portuguese recipes download here

Shopping

There are plenty of shops in Lagoa for your everyday needs and various large supermarkets too. With shopping malls in Portimão to the west and Algarve Shopping in Guia (near Albufeira) to the east shoppers will find all their favourite stores close by.  With plenty of seats in the sun, restaurants and cafés and a multi-screen cinema located in Algarve Shopping, the late-night shopping means you can work or relax throughout the day.

Events

Throughout the year there are many fairs, festivals and shows, too many to list however, for up-to-date information on current events click here

History

Benagil itself has little to offer in the way of history however there are some wonderful beaches close by, including the popular beaches of Praia da Albandeira and Praia da Marinha with a few smaller ones that are slightly more difficult to access.

There is an algar (pit cave), to the east, with a beach inside the cave. You can swim to it from Benagil beach or use one of the kayaks for rent. To the west of Benagil you will find various ledges that people jump from on calmer days.

Benagil is situated along the Seven Hanging Valleys trail which is approximately 12kms long.

If you are feeling in need of an active history lesson, an interesting trail to follow in the Algarve is the Umayyad Route, the path which the Arabs travelled throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Europe starting in the 8th century through to the 13th.

For more information on the area click here

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Published: 30 August 2017

Hits: 8737

Named after the apparatus that fishermen used to catch tuna, Armação de Pêra is a cosmopolitan town built to the west of the sweeping beach stretching from Senhora da Rocha to Ponta da Galé.

Whether you are planning to live and work in the Algarve, retire or invest, the region has something for all.

Armação de Pêra is well placed in central Algarve, being close to an International School, Faro airport, public and private hospitals, and also a motorway network connecting the Algarve to the rest of Portugal and Spain. There are many local shops in the town with various supermarkets nearby that cater to all tastes and diets. The daily market place is always bustling offering fresh local produce. 

Whilst infrastructure is important, so too is lifestyle and in the Algarve you can enjoy whatever pace of life you prefer. The region offers year-round cultural events, an international racetrack, major golfing tournaments and much more for visitors and residents alike. With many of the Algarve’s beaches winning the Blue Flag the coast is an important asset for residents and a major tourist attraction.

Armação de Pêra is close to tennis clubs, various golf courses, diving centres, dance groups, various gyms and centres to enjoy yoga, tai chi etc plus great local areas for bird watching and the opportunity to enjoy walking trails. For those who prefer less energetic activities there are local choirs, amateur dramatic groups, bands and much more to keep you busy.

Most faiths are represented in the region offering the opportunity to worship locally.

Restaurants and bars

Armação de Pêra has a wide selection of bars, restaurants and cafés to suit all tastes.

To download a guide to the Algarve’s wine, click here

For a Cataplana recipe book click here

For traditional Portuguese recipes download here

Shopping

There are many local shops, two chemists plus various supermarkets in the town. With shopping malls in Portimão to the west and Algarve Shopping in Guia (near Albufeira) to the east, shoppers will find all their favourite stores close by. With plenty of seats in the sun, restaurants and cafés and a multi-screen cinema located in Algarve Shopping, the late-night shopping means you can work or relax throughout the day.

Events

Throughout the year there are many fairs, festivals and shows, too many to list however, for up-to-date information on current events click here

History

Perâ is a small village located approximately 4kms from the coast. It was formerly known as Pêra de Cima, Upper Pêra, distinguishing it from Pêra de Baixo, Lower Pêra, that is now known as Armação de Pêra. The latter was named after the fishing apparatus, armação, that was used to catch tuna by the fishermen living in Pêra and kept on the beach now known as Praia dos Pescadores, Fishermen’s Beach. Still today fishermen launch their boats from the beach and bring in a daily catch, sold locally.

Little is known about the fortress, Fortaleza de Armação de Pêra. It has been suggested that the fort, built in the mid-16th century, was placed on the ruins of a Roman fort or even in the place of a castle originating from early Middle Ages. However, there is nothing now to suggest that either of these are correct but it is true to say that it is an example of military architecture, that was common along the Algarve, built to fortify the coast.

The chapel, Capela de Santo António, was built within the fortress around 1720, for use by the military forces stationed there and also for locals. In the early 20th century the larger parish church, Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes, was built close by.

Built on a narrow promontory on the coast but still part of the Porches parish, the chapel of Our Lady of the Rock forms part of the now non-existant fort, Forte de Nossa Senhora da Rocha. The chapel has a large rectangular narthex (antechamber), open to the exterior, through a triple arcade of columns and two Corinthian capitals (chapiters) dating to the 3rd/4th century, an octagonal cupola and also incorporates stones from Roman and medieval buildings found locally.

If you are feeling in need of an active history lesson, an interesting trail to follow in the Algarve is the Umayyad Route, the path which the Arabs travelled throughout the Iberian Peninsula and Europe starting in the 8th century through to the 13th.

For more information on the area click here