ALBUFEIRA
TOURIST GUIDE STARTING FROM ALBUFEIRA
What to do in 5 days (for one week of holidays)
Route to be made |
Kilometers |
Time of way |
For which? |
Indications |
|
Praia da Rocha - Carvoeiro - Algar Seco - Senhora da Rocha - Salgados - Galé |
80 |
average 1h30 |
In love with the sea and nature; fans of beach |
To find a restaurant good and not expensive will be difficult |
|
Silves - Monchique - Aljezur - Odeceixe - Arrifana |
209 |
2h36 |
Fans of history, architecture, of art and culture in general, In love with nature and the beautiful beaches |
To choose one day noncloudy or misty; Caution: Silves is a very hot city in summer |
|
Sagres - Lagos |
163 |
2h32 |
In love with nature and the beautiful beaches; Impassioned of history and of culture |
To choose one day very sunny and very heat bus in Sagres and Lagos it always makes a few degrees less than in Albufeira |
|
Loulé - Faro - Quinta do Lago - Vale do Lobo - Quarteira - Vilamoura - Albufeira |
123 |
1h53 |
In love with beaches, great luxury and money; In love with history and culture |
To bathe, prefer Praia da Falésia in summer if you do not love crowd; Control your expenditure in the casino of Vilamoura |
|
Martim Longo - Alcoutim - Vila Real de Santo António - Tavira - Olhão |
281 |
4h16 |
In love with nature and the sea; Adventurers and liking to walk |
To choose one day not very hot, because in mountain often heat is choking. The beaches are only advised for fast bathes and not to bronze itself, because the wind is frequent by here |
|
Slide & Splash Aqualand Zoomarine Krazyworld |
average 60 average 45 average 12 average 25 |
1h 45mn 20mn 30mn |
For all those which like to be diverted and to have fun |
For the clear skins, attention with the sunstrokes (the sun types extremely without one realizing there). Do not take along valuable articles, nor of jewels which you will be able to lose. |
1) The best of the coast of Algarve: Praia da Rocha - Carvoeiro - Algar Seco - Senhora da Rocha - Salgados - Galé (80km)
If you chose to come to Algarve, it is for the sun, the beach and the sea. Here an ideal route for that, you will discover excellent beaches of the south of Portugal. But attention: in July and August, those are rather well filled tourists.
a) Albufeira - Praia da Rocha (33km / 33km / 39mn)
To leave Albufeira in direction of the A22 motorway. To take and follow Portimão. To leave in Portimão, then to follow the road in this large city until the panel Praia da Rocha appears.
Arrived at Praia da Rocha, if we are in July or August, two concerns: parking of the vehicle and parking of the owner on the beach. This is why during these two months, it is necessary to go there early.
Beyond the beauty of this beach, we can in the top cliff admire the coast.
b) Praia da Rocha - Carvoeiro (17km / 50km / 25mn) + Algar Seco
To return on Portimão and to take the main road (N125 or N124-1) in direction of Faro (at the exit of Portimão, the north of the city, to take the first Faro direction on the right). In Lagoa, the crossing, to cross on the right while following the sign indicating Carvoeiro. Not very front, you will have to notice on your line the watery park Slide & Splash.
On the road leading to Carvoeiro, you pass in front of Intermarché, the only one of Algarve, therefore if you are nostalgic certain French products, profit-it. In Carvoeiro, there is a beach but it is not particularly beautiful. Carvoeiro is famous for its agitated nights (bars, music and drinks...). If the desire says to you, bathes you again and seeks a restaurant. Caution: the prices. If you do not want to spend too much of money, rather think of lunching front, in Lagoa. In this case, seek one in this city.
After Carvoeiro, to continue on the road. This one assembles and skirts the coast. You will arrive at a corner called Algar Seco. There is place to park you. Leave the vehicle then and take the staircases while going down. Do not forget your swim wears. There is several courses in the rocks. It is necessary well to be fitted to do them. One of the courses leads to the sea. This one is agitated a little here. You can bathe there, while jumping (or plunging) of the rock. Some go up in cliff and spring up there. In short, it is an ideal corner for the sportsmen and the amateurs of dives. For the others, there is a little before natural swimming pools where one can refresh oneself.
c) Carvoeiro ( Algar Seco) - Senhora da Rocha (16km / 61km / 21mn)
To continue on the coastal road. You have here a beautiful sight of the Western coast of Algarve, with its high cliffs. At a given time, the road moves away from the coast and leads you to main road 125. There, cross on the right, Faro direction. Then, a little later in Porches, take a road on the right indicating Armação de Pêra and Senhora da Rocha.
Senhora da Rocha is a point of the coast, there still you have in front of you a beautiful landscape. If you wish it, bathe you in bottom on the beach.
d) Senhora da Rocha - Salgados (13km / 74km / 17mn) + Galé
Then take again the road to Armação de Pêra. You enter then what was done of worse in the southern littoral of the country: high towers, avenue, a coast massacred by tourism. It is time to flee this horror, you cross Armação de Pêra then arrive again further at N125, in Alcantarilha. In the traffic light, take Faro direction on the right. Then, after the turn and the rise, you arrive at Pêra. Take on the right, indicating Pêra. Cross the village then all at the end of the street, take on the left.
You leave Pêra and follow on a road which carries out to Albufeira. Little after having crossed a small bridge (while entering to the concelho of Albufeira), you will discover a road on the right driving to Salgados. Take it. You will see an indication on the line for Praia dos Salgados and Salgados Golf. If you do not cross on the right, you will arrive in a crossing further, again indicating on the right Praia da Galé.
There, you will take the last bath of the day. You thus have the choice between Salgados and Galé. Salgados is a great sand extent, which is prolonged until Armação de Pêra that one sees with far. There is often wind and the sea is often agitated (but they are not waves of two meters either). The large advantage is that even in tourist season, you always have place (it is then enough to go a little). Galé is more sheltered beach, smaller thus in summer full with world. But it is more beautiful, with its pretty rocks. With you to choose.
e) Galé - Albufeira (6km / 80km / 9mn)
Take again the road which you left. Follow-there. You go along the coast (even if if there you do not see it). Will know that there exists between Galé and Albufeira many small beaches sympathetic nerves, that you will be able to make another day. S. Rafael, Castelo, Coelha...
If you did not leave the road, this one turns suddenly left and goes down. You low see the marina of Albufeira. There is often during the summer animations (spectacles, festivals, games, etc). The road arrives at an avenue at two ways on each side. Take on the right. While following it all the time you will enter the town of Albufeira, starting from the roundabout of the dolphins (one of prettiest of the city).
2) In the nature: Silves - Monchique - Aljezur - Odeceixe - Arrifana (209km)
For this route, it is preferable to leave early. A menu good charged: culture, nature and beach.
a) Albufeira - Silves (30km / 30km / 21mn)
To leave Albufeira in direction of the A22 motorway. To take and follow Portimão. To leave in Silves (at the end of 18km), then to follow the N124-1 road. In Silves, you discover a city, on the edges of the Arade river. But especially, you discover in top of the city its imposing castle. Formerly capital of maures, Silves kept many mauresques traces thus. It is time to visit the castle (to follow Castelo). Of up there, you have a superb sight of the valley.
.
After having visited this very beautiful castle, you can if you wish it to drink in the coffees. You can thus appreciate this old city which is Silves.
b) Silves - Monchique (29km / 59km / 29mn)
You leave Silves by taking again the road, towards the west, in direction of Monchique (N124). At the end of 15km, you arrive at a crossing. Take on the right while following the sign Monchique (N266).
Be vigilant because the road quickly becomes sinuous. Gradually you rise. If the desire says to you, there are from time to time watchtowers on the turns where you will be able appreciate the sight. On this road, we sell honey made house (very appreciated) and also of craft industry (pottery, fabrics, etc).
Always follow the road to Monchique. Monchique often is called the garden of the algarve, for the landscape there verdant east. Immediately following the two first ones (and alone) traffic fires, localized near two stations gasoline, you have a crossroads. If you take to right, you will find 2KM more far a very in demand fountain. Water is fresh and drinkable. If you continue all front, you enter into the likable city of Monchique.
You follow by a street to unique direction and arrive to a big place (you are thirsty? there is good coffees). If you cut to right, you will follow a road that goes heading for Lisbon. This one descends the Serra and very pleasant east to do. On the way there is fountains and aires of pic nic. Here, you will cut to the left and will follow the pancarte indicating Fóia. The street climbs, and you arrive to a round point. To the round point, take the second one to right, always direction Fóia.
You follow a road that continues climb to the summit of the mountain more high of the algarve, to more than 900 meters. Useless to say you that you will have there high a great view of the western algarve, to the point cape São Vincente. You will notice the coast south and west of the Portugal.
It is times to take back down and to think about to eat.
c) Monchique - Aljezur (32km / 91km / 34mn)
Turn over To Monchique. In the roundabout, take the second on the right, Portimão direction. You are on an one-way street which goes down. In bottom, take on the right and pass by again the two traffic lights. Further, in Nave, take the road on the right (N266) in direction of Casais and Marmelete. This road makes the slope of the mountain, and you will find there you on the left of good restaurants with views giving on the valley, at a reasonable price (in the neighbourhoods of Marmelete).
After the lunch, continue on the road until Aljezur. Over there, if you have time, you can visit the remainders of the castle (Castelo direction).
d) Aljezur - Odeceixe (15km / 106km / 14mn)
It is now the afternoon of beach. You will visit two of the most beautiful beaches of the area, and the least known. Odeceixe is the first. It is at the border of Algarve and Alentejo.
In Aljezur, to take on the right direction Lisbon and Odeceixe (N120). 13km further, take on the left for Odeceixe and Praia de Odeceixe. You pass the village of Odeceixe and follow a small road which will lead you to a very beautiful beach, between cliffs. The sea is agitated a little, but fortunately, for the children, a small not very deep river runs at side in direction of the sea.
e) Odeceixe - Arrifana (27km / 133km / 26mn)
Take again the road of Aljezur. Pass by again by the city and follow in direction of the south, of Lagos. After Aljezur on the right, you will find a road indicating Praia da Arrifana. Take it.
You will discover a corner in full rise, with tens and tens of villas in construction in the surroundings. Some say that within 20 years, it will be as in the south of Algarve. While waiting, benefit from the beach of Arrifana, which does not have many people yet.
It is a special beach: initially, it forms a crescent of the moon, surrounded by high cliffs. Then, the sea is calm and water is often green. In short, it is a splendid beach. And if there is wind in top, and well go down. Arrifana is a sheltered beach. Benefit from the moment, and remain time that you want. The restaurants of Arrifana are very good and not very expensive. Really profit: it is authentic.
f) Arrifana - Albufeira (76km / 209km / 1h06)
Take again the main road of Aljezur (N120) to Lagos. Then, after 17km, take the motorway A22. Go to Albufeira (after 38km of motorway).
3) To the point of Algarve: Sagres - Lagos (163km)
a) Albufeira - Sagres (82km / 82km / 1h07)
Sagres is a city with the features Atlantic than Mediterranean, therefore, do not forget your waistcoat, even in summer, because there is often wind.
Take the A22 motorway to Lagos. Take the last exit, at the end of 35km, in direction to Lagos, Vila do Bispo and Sagres. To follow by N125, then after Vila do Bispo by N268 in direction of Sagres.
In Sagres, take the direction of Ponta de Sagres. There you will be able to admire the supposed school of navigation of infant D. Henrique, which is in fact a fort with its guns turned towards the sea and its solar clock. Small strolls is essential.
Then, take again the car and direct towards the headlight, in the course S. Vicente. You continue to have superb sights on these vertiginous cliffs, where often fishermen without fear get busy to sin of fish (every some year of them disappears). With far you will see large steamers following by the sea route carrying out of Africa to the north of Europe.
Lastly, turn over to Sagres or Vila do Bispo to drink in a sympathetic coffee or, if it is the hour, to lunch. This corner of Algarve is not invaded yet by tourism of mass and the prices charged are very accessible.
b) Sagres - Lagos (33km / 115km / 34mn)
Take again the road for Lagos. In Lagos, several beaches deserve the turning: in the west of Lagos, D. Maria, Luz and in the south of the city, Porto de Mós and Ponta da Piedade. Some say that they are the most beautiful beaches of Algarve, but water is a little colder there (the cold current of the Atlantic Ocean is not far). In Ponta da Piedade you have a superb sight of the coast. For those which do not hesitate to be stripped in the beaches, there is not far a beach from nudists.
After the beaches, you direct towards Lagos and his marina. You will be on an avenue, perpendicular to the sea, two ways on each side. You park as soon as you can (yes, because it is difficult there to find a place). On the pavement, many tourist agents propose ways in boat, to visit the caves in particular. Some propose the lunch (barbecue or pic nic on an accessible beach isolated only by the sea). If you choose this option, it is necessary to think of not arriving late in morning (towards 10-11h). If you think just of a visit the afternoon, in this case you can arrive after the hour of the lunch. At least 10 euros should be counted by person (more if you include the meal). Strolls in boat is strongly recommended.
Lastly, you can visit the old town of Lagos. You cross to foot the avenue and you direct towards the malls. Lagos is one of rare the city of the area to have preserved its historical and cultural attractions.
c) Lagos - Albufeira (48km / 163km / 51mn)
You direct towards the A22 Motorway in direction of Faro and Portimão. Go to Albufeira.
4) A rich way: Loulé - Faro - Quinta do Lago - Vale do Lobo - Quarteira - Vilamoura - Albufeira (123km)
You will discover on this way the richest corners of Algarve...
a) Albufeira - Loulé (30km / 30km / 24mn)
Take the A22 motorway and do not take the exit Loulé - Boliqueime. Take the following one, Loulé - Quarteira. Follow Loulé.
In Loulé, you will be able to visit the market, very famous in the area (to follow Mercado Municipal). The castle (to follow Castelo) deserves to be seen, although it is less imposing than that of Silves. But initially, before the entry of the city, in the roundabout where a service station is located, to take on the left. To pass the Modelo supermarket (on the left side) and little time after cross on the left and to take a new street which goes up abruptly. It moves towards a small vault and a church which overhang the city. The vault has very very beautiful frescos. The church on the other hand, contrast by its modernity.
Finally enter downtown to visit the castle and the market.
b) Loulé - Faro (22km / 52km / 22mn)
Cross the town of Loulé towards the east by the principal avenue (with four ways) and to follow Faro direction. You enter a main road then on an expressway and finally on a long avenue leading to Faro. At a given time, you pass the shopping centre Forum Algarve on the left (a little smaller and less beautiful than that of Albufeira) and Faro Shopping on the right (that one is really small). Continue always straight, while passing the various roundabouts.
Continue straight still, you pass in front of the prison of Faro (just after a roundabout, on the left side). In the traffic light, to take on the right direction the station (Estação de Comboio). You enter lanes, on the left then on the right... You pass in front of the station and continue straight. Try to find a place (that will be difficult), it is time to park itself.
You will visit the old city on foot. In Marina, you can go up a street (close to Mac Donald' S). A little further, you have on the right malls and commercial. Continue to go up, until the mall finishes. Take on the right and continue your walk. You will arrive at walls, remainders of fortifications of the city. Take then on the right and continue. You will arrive at a place, a small park and the marina a little further. Lunch and take again your vehicle.
Faro does not have very large attractions in oneself. Certain corners are to visit, one or another church, one or another place... But as a whole it is a city not very pleasant.
d) Faro - Quinta do Lago (24km / 76km / 27mn)
Take again the large avenue which led you to Faro. Take Almancil direction by N125. In Almancil, to take direction Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago. To follow Quinta do Lago.
Quinta do Lago is a very rich corner, with its golfs, its gardens and its beach. If there are not too many people, you can bathe there.
e) Quinta do Lago - Vale do Lobo (3km / 79km / 2mn)
A little further towards the west is Vale do Lobo. An identical landscape, with in particular the pines and cliff, dominating a very beautiful beach. If you did not bathe in Quinta do Lago, you can do it here.
f) Vale do Lobo - Quarteira (10km / 89km / 14mn)
To follow direction Loulé and Quarteira.
Quarteira is a typically American city, with the sea, the beach, the avenue and the buildings. In short, it is not especially beautiful, but the city is worth the turning nevertheless. It is another end of coast, not very crested.
g) Quarteira - Vilamoura (5km / 94km / 6mn)
By leaving the city, by the west, to take direction Albufeira and Vilamoura. In Vilamoura, to follow the Marina.
Caution: in Vilamoura the panels are not very clear, the majority indicating the golfs or the hotels. Vilamoura is a rich city, where niche a casino (attention, you do not ruin!) and the famous marina of rich and famous people. A small note: Luis Figo has a bar just opposite, but you do not wait to find it over there!
h) Vilamoura - Albufeira (19km / 123km / 18mn)
Leave Vilamoura, while continuing by the large avenue. The indications continue to be not very clear. You pass several roundabouts and at a given time, you have a panel indicating the exit for N125 (saída Faro N125). Do not take it. Circumvent the roundabout and take on the left. To follow straight.
(If you were mistaken and arrived at a traffic light giving on N125, it is not serious. Cross in this case on the left then a little further on the left direction Albufeira and Olhos d' Água)
You leave Vilamoura and all its golfs. You arrive on a road. On right-hand side, it is direction N125. On left, Eastern Albufeira direction and its beaches. Thus cross on the left. You pass in front of the Kadoc discotheque (to be retained for one of your evenings if you want to leave to dance). You leave Concelho de Loulé for that of Albufeira.
Lastly, you will arrive at a crossing (with the Galp service station on the left). Cut on the left direction Olhos d' Água and Praia da Falésia. It is time to finish the day with the beach. With the choice: Praia da Falésia (more in the east) which is a long beach downwards of a high cliff (ideal to flee crowd, but sea sometimes a little surging), Praia de Olhos d' Água, Praia of Maria Luísa, Praia de Sta Eulália (where the famous Locomia discotheque is located) and Praia da Oura. All are beautiful beaches and you will be able go back there when you want.
They are the beaches of Albufeira, localised in the east of the city.
5) For the fans of adventure in full nature: Martim Longo - Alcoutim - Vila Real de Santo António - Tavira - Olhão (281km)
Il faudra partir tôt: une longue journée s'annonce...
a) Albufeira - Martim Longo (103km / 103km / 1h27)
Take the motorway A22 Faro direction. Take the exit São Brás de Alportel. Pass the city and follow direction Almodôvar, Barranco Velho, Cachopo, Alcoutim (N2). You will arrive at a crossing (9km after the motorway, in Barranco Velho) where you will cut on the right direction Alcoutim, Cachopo and Martim Longo. Follow direction Alcoutim (N124). You will pass Cachopo.
It is the mountain (400-600 meters). There is vegetation. You often have a beautiful sight of Algarve Eastern side.
In Martim Longo, you will discover fortifications.
b) Martim Longo - Alcoutim (31km / 134km / 32mn)
To follow by main road 124 Alcoutim direction. In Alcoutim, you will discover a beautiful city, on the Guadiana river. Over there, you will be able to visit the city and its castle, but more especially to benefit from the river and the activities which are associated there (stroll in boat, scooter of sea, canoe, horsemanship, etc).
c) Alcoutim - Vila Real de Santo António (46km / 180km / 49mn)
Dirigez-vous vers le sud, direction Vila Real de Santo António et Castro Marim. Lorsque vous traverserez l'autoroute A22, vous verrez sur votre gauche de longues étendues de marais et monts blancs de sel. Vous pouvez, si vous le souhaitez, visiter le parc. Il existe ici de nombreuses espèces végétales et animales protégées.
Vila Real de Santo António n'étant pas une très belle ville, ce sont les plages plus loin qui sont recommandées, notamment celle de Monte Gordo ou Praia Verde et plus à l'ouest la plage d'Altura. Elles sont très appréciées des touristes portugais car il y a de grandes étendues de sable, la mer est un peu houleuse et il y a toujours un peu de vent.
d) Vila Real de Santo António - Tavira (26km / 206km / 30mn)
Si vous poursuivez par la nationale 125 qui longe la côte, vous arriverez à Tavira, autre ville pas spécialement belle, excepté son centre ville particulier.
A partir d'ici, il n'y a plus de plage, pour s'y rendre il faudra prendre la bateau. Mais là où il est conseillé de le prendre, c'est à Olhão.
e) Tavira - Olhão (22km / 228km / 20mn)
En continuant toujours par la route, on arrive à Olhão. C'est une ville de pêcheurs, qui ne sent jamais très bon. Mais sachez que le marché des poissons et crustacés est très réputé dans tout le pays. En août il y a le festival des crustacés (Festival do Marisco) avec beaucoup de bière, de musique et de... crustacés. A ne pas manquer.
S'il est encore tôt ou si vous souhaitez revenir à Olhão, sachez que au bord de l'avenue principale on propose des trajets en bateau jusqu'aux îles Armona, Culatra et Farol, où vous trouverez des plages sympathiques bien que un peu venteuses.
f) Olhão - Albufeira (53km / 281km / 38mn)
Le retour à Albufeira se fait sans problèmes en prenant dès que possible l'autoroute A22 en direction de Portimão et Lagos.
6) Autres références
Si vous venez pour plus d'une semaine, d'autres lieux méritent le détour. Voici par exemple quelques exemples de trajet:
- Les parcs aquatiques:
Il y en a plusieurs dans l'Algarve mais deux se distinguent par la diversité de l'offre: Aqualand (ex- Big-One) et Slide & Splash. Le premier se situe à la sortie Alcantarilha de l'autoroute A22 (en direction de Lagos et Portimão). Il possède une attraction que le Slide & Splash ne possède pas et qui est très prisée par les amoureux de sensations fortes: le Banzai. Le deuxième se situe à Lagoa (sortir à Lagoa en direction de Portimão et Lagos par l'autoroute A22). Il est beaucoup plus beau et il possède une attraction sympathique, le Black Hole (on descend sur une bouée à 2 dans l'obscurité totale d'un tunnel, malheureusement petit). Bref, faites votre choix. Aqualand est juste ouvert pendant l'été tandis que le Slide & Splash est ouvert toute l'année excepté l'hiver. Comptez 15-20 euros l'entrée pour une journée. (PS. Achetez les billets dans une agence de voyage dans un centre commercial - Modelo, Algarve-Shopping... -, vous économiserez 15 à 20%)
- Les parcs thématiques:
Là encore, il y en a plusieurs en Algarve mais deux se distinguent: le Zoomarine et le Krazyworld. Le Zoomarine est un parc où l'on peut assister à des spectacles aquatiques représentés par des dauphins et des lions de mer. Il y a aussi des spectacles avec des rapaces et des perroquets. Le Zoomarine se situe à Guia, prendre la N125 en sortant d'Albufeira en direction de Alcantarilha, Guia et Portimão. Le Krazyworld montre un côté plus sauvage, avec des crocodiles, des serpents, des dromadaires, des lamas et autres espèces animales exotiques. Il y a aussi deux parcours de minigolf intéressants en plein milieu d'une végétation abondante, une piscine et un spectacle de perroquets. Comptez également entre 15 et 20 euros l'entrée pour une journée. Pour s'y rendre, au feu rouge à Guia sur la N125, coupez à droite en direction de Algoz et suivre jusqu'à trouver des indications menant au parc.
- L'Algarve c'est aussi d'autres activités: parapente (comptez 50 euros une demi-heure), deltaplane, safari, saut en parachute (comptez 150 euros), etc. Le site www.zebrasafari.com (en portugais et en anglais) propose ces sports. Il suffit de les contacter.
- Évidemment, la côte est propice à des activités telles que le ski nautique, le canoë, le scooter de mer, etc. Informez-vous dans les offices de tourisme.
