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Published: 30 August 2017

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Mexilhoeira Grande remains a small village where the population originally worked in agriculture. However, people now tend to travel to nearer towns and cities to work in the tourism industry.

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

Mexilhoeira Grande is well placed in the western Algarve, being close to three International Schools; Barlavento International Primary School, Vale Verde in Burgau and Nobel in Lagoa, 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.

Mexilhoeira Grande has a year-round international community living in its environs. For those enjoying sports there are tennis clubs, various golf courses a short drive away, cycling routes, 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

There are a variety of places to eat and drink in Mexilhoeira Grande with the coast not far away offering more restaurants and cafés.

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 quite a few local shops in Mexilhoeira Grande however Portimão, just 10kms away, is very well provided with supermarkets stocking a wide range of products including those for many dietary requirements. 

There are two shopping malls a short drive away, one in Portimão and Algarve Shopping in Guia (near Albufeira), both to the east, 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

Mexilhoeira Grande is very close to various places of historic interest, from prehistoric and Roman times.

The Megalithic monuments in Alcalar were most likely constructed between 3000 to 1600 BC. They consist of several burial mounds/tombs placed on a hilltop, along a limestone coastal strip, close to the end of the Torre river. There are also signs of a community living in the area, with strategic settlement and artefacts revealing how they lived.

At Quinta da Abicada ruins of a Roman settlement, believed to be from the 1st century, were found and excavated in 1917. It has since been classed as a national monument and the mosaic floors are of particular interest.

The parish church, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, was built between 1520 and 1540. It has artistic styles from the Manueline and Renaissance eras and is open only for Mass.

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 places of interest in the area click here for Lagos and click here for Portimão

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Published: 30 August 2017

Hits: 8743

Lagos is a vibrant coastal town, in the western Algarve, with a marina that currently holds the Euromarina Anchor Award and the Blue Flag award along with many other accolades.

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

Lagos is well placed in the western Algarve, being close to two International Schools; Barlavento International Primary School and Vale Verde in Burgau, 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.

Lagos has a vibrant, year-round international community living in the town and its environs. For those enjoying sports there are tennis clubs, various golf courses a short drive away (two on the edge of the town), cycling routes, 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 Lagos 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

Lagos is very well provided with supermarkets and there are many mini-markets dotted around stocking a wide range of products. You will find several large supermarkets that stock a wide variety of products including those for many dietary requirements. 

There is a daily market in the renovated fish market where you will find fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, dried fruit and preserves plus fresh bread. On Saturday mornings, a local market is held in a building near the bus terminal selling fresh fruit and vegetables, olives, honey, figs, almonds and much more local produce.

There are two shopping malls a short drive away, one in Portimão and Algarve Shopping in Guia (near Albufeira), both to the east, 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

Lagos has always had a seafaring connection, originally visited by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans. During the 15th century it 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 town.

The older part of Lagos is still encircled by the city walls that were constructed during the 16th century when it was the Algarve governor's residence. The fort, Ponta da Bandeira by Praia da Batata (Batata beach), is part of the 17th century fortifications that were added to protect the town. Behind the fort (on the opposite side of the road) you will find the Porta de São Gonçalo, with a watchtower on either side and just to the right of this is the Governor's Castle (built by the Arabs).

The square next to the Governor's Castle is the Praça Infante Dom Henrique and has a statue of Prince Henry looking out to sea. To the left, at the back of the square, you will find the Igreja da Santa Maria which was built during the 15th and 16th centuries and restored after fire devastated the building during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Walking along the cobbled street at the back of the square (R. Gen. Alberto da Silveira), just past the Santa Maria church, you will come across the famous Lagos 'golden church' of Saint Anthony, Igreja de Santo António, which was rebuilt in 1769.  Access to this church is via the museum. Both the museum and the church are well worth visiting.

On the north side of the Praça Infante Dom Henrique can be found the Slave Market, which dates to the 15th century, and holds a small museum about the use of the building.

Igreja de São Sebastião, again worth a visit, dates from the 14th century and is stood on a hill just behind the fish market. It has a chapel of bones connected to it and offers amazing views over the Lagos bay.

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.

Of course, Lagos has much more in its historical heritage. For more information on places of interest in the area click here

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Published: 30 August 2017

Hits: 8411

Lagoa still has a rural feel about it, even though it is a popular centre for cultural events, shopping and festivals.

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

Lagoa 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.

Lagoa has a year-round international community living in the town and in its environs. For those enjoying sports there are two tennis clubs and various golf courses just a short drive away, cycling routes, two diving centres nearby, 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. The municipal pool and gym are both close to the centre as is the library and auditorium. 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

Lagoa has many places to eat and drink. There is a wide selection of bars, restaurants and cafés.

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

It has been suggested that the town’s name, Lagoa, was due to the earliest settlement in the area being on the edge of a lagoon/marshes which were later drained for agricultural purposes.

The area has vestiges of earlier settlements including menhirs (one stands at the entrance to the convent, Convento de São José) and funerary necropolis are some examples. With the Algarve being under Arab rule until the mid-12th century the visitor can still find the odd Muslim influence within the town.

The Convento de São José was founded sometime between 1710 and 1713 by members of the Carmelite order of nuns, who fostered and educated unwanted children. A foundling wheel can still be seen at the convent which now hosts exhibitions, seminars and shows.

The parish church, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Luz, was built in the 16th century however, it was destroyed by the 1755 earthquake with only the Manueline doorway to the bell tower surviving.

The principal wealth of the area was agriculture (mainly fruit and wine production), fishing (with the canning industry responsible for an economic boom) and later tourism. The latter is now the mainstay of the area. Lagoa was the centre of wine production in the area, having a cooperative winery, which now houses an art gallery.

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

Details

Published: 30 August 2017

Hits: 8509

Almancil, Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago are the three points of the triangle known locally as the Golden Triangle. Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago are both coastal resorts with Almancil placed about 3kms inland.

All are vibrant and have year-round international communities. For those enjoying sports there are tennis clubs, various golf courses, cycling routes, 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.

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

The Golden Triangle is well placed in the Algarve, with access to many International Schools, 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.

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 the Golden Triangle is somewhere to eat and drink. There is a wide selection of bars, restaurants and cafés 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

The Golden Triangle is very well provided with supermarkets and shops stocking a wide range of products.

There is a daily market in Loulé where you will find fresh fish, fruit, vegetables, dried fruit and preserves plus fresh bread. On Saturday mornings, a local market is held selling a wide range of locally-made products from woven baskets to copper pans and produce from local farms.

Quinta do Lago has a shopping mall, Quinta Shopping, with Faro (Forum Algarve) offering another. At both shoppers will find all their favourite stores. With plenty of seats in the sun, restaurants and cafés and a multi-screen cinema located in Forum Algarve, 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 Ria Formosa Natural Park is a system of barrier islands that stretches approximately 60kms along the coast. Migratory birds use the area to rest in the spring and autumn with other rare species (purple swamphen and seahorses) living in the park all year round.

Loulé has much to see of historical interest with São Brás de Alportel, Faro, Olhão and beyond also showing the Algarve’s heritage at its best.

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.