Albufeira
Once a small fishing village, today Albufeira is the most popular and largest resort town in the Algarve. The main magnet is the blue old town, which, fortunately, has retained its traditional look – small white houses in the mountains and narrow winding city streets that lead you to the sandy beach. In the old town, next to modern pubs and bars, there are small local cafes where locals gather for a cup of coffee to relax.
Alvor
A small fishing village, 5 km from Praia da Rocha, today is also a popular resort, but the old town with colorful houses and narrow stone streets gives the impression of a former time. The village is known for good fish restaurants. A great place to enjoy fresh fish and summer evenings.
Silves
According to Picktrue, Silves is an 11th century Moorish fortified city, most of which was destroyed in 1755, as a result of a large earthquake. But the remains of the fortress still rise in the middle of the city, on top of a mountain, and in our time have been converted into a museum. On the slope of the mountain, around the fortress, a picturesque old town with white houses and narrow streets has been preserved. Take a cup of coffee and feel the breath of the past in cozy street cafes.
Lagos
In the western part of the city of Algarve is one of the most interesting places for history buffs. First of all, it is associated with the discoverers of the Earth in the 14th-15th centuries and with Prince Henrik, who began to lead the country’s colonial policy. He ordered to build here most of the ships that set sail, began various campaigns for discoveries and, at the end, opened the first slave market in Europe here. Most of the historic city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1755 that devastated all of Southern Portugal. The oldest buildings of the 16th century have been renovated: the church of Santa Maria and, preserved during the earthquake, the church of Santo Antonio. Today, Lagos is shaped like a resort town with a cozy atmosphere, to which is added a magnificent yacht port, a wide beach promenade and countless restaurants and bars.
Portimão
Portimão (2.5 km from Praia da Rocha) is the second most important center after the Algarve, where the best shops in the area and many good seafood restaurants are located. We can consider that this is one of the best places where you can try grilled sardinia. The main shopping street, Rua do Comercio, ends in a large square where on the first Monday of each month one of the biggest markets of the Algarve takes place. Also noteworthy is one of the oldest buildings in the city, the church of the 15th century, which was completed in the 18th century, and the city museum was founded in the old cannery, where various exhibitions are held. From the port of Portimão go tourist, intended for fishing, and various pleasure ships. The city is located on the banks of the river Arade, at the mouth of which in Praia da Rocha there is a large yacht port.
Fortress of Sagres (Fortaleza de Sagres)
The fortress of Sagres is located near the city of the same name with an unforgettable location – it is located on a 60-meter cliff on the seashore and is open to the public as a museum every day.
The Navigator Prince Henrik of Portugal (1394-1460) founded here in 1418 a research center for the discoverers of the Earth, where they studied navigation, astronomy and map drawing. It is believed that this is on the site of the modern fortress of Fortaleza. Presumably such eminent people as Magalaes, Vasco da Gama, etc. studied here.
Fortaleza de Sagres (Fortress of Sagres)
Sagres Fortress is located near the city of the same name with an unforgettable location – it is located on a cliff of 60 meters on the seashore. The navigator Henrik founded a center here in the 15th century, where they explored and studied navigation, astronomy and map drawing. It is believed that it is located on the site of the modern fortress of Fortaleza. Among the many students, there were such famous personalities as Magaleas, Vasco da Gama, etc. The fortress is open to the public as a museum every day.
Tavira
This region – one of the most beautiful architectural cities – is located in the eastern part of the Algarve, on the banks of the Gilao River. A river flows through the city, many churches and renovated houses of the 18th century create an unforgettable romantic atmosphere. Near Tahir is the beach island with golden sand Ilha da Tavira, which has become a favorite place for both locals and tourists. There is a ferry service from the city to the island. One of the cities with a peculiar architecture in the eastern part of the Algarve.
Vilamoura
The atmosphere of this town is created by a magnificent yacht port with 1,000 berths, next to which there are luxury hotels, apartments and golf courses. Vilamoura is the place where “the rich and beautiful.
