One
of the most popular resort areas in Europe is the heavenly Algarve
province in Portugal. The sunny Atlantic coastline seems like
another world - part Mediterranean and part North African. The
towns are in a time warp, using agricultural methods that haven't
changed in centuries to grow oranges, grapes, olives, almonds,
figs, and carobs. While the tourism industry keeps airlines on
strict timetables and beautiful resort hotels dotting the beaches,
the native Algarveans leisurely stroll through life, worrying
about little, relaxing a lot, and rushing only to be friendly
and hospitable to their neighbors. Urgency is an unfamiliar notion
to Algarveans, and that makes the gorgeous beaches and quaint
towns even more refreshing.
The Algarve is steeped in history,
too. From the original Celt-Iberean tribes, to the Romans and
Visigoths, the southernmost province in Portugal has dealt with
conquest, but none so important as the Islamic Moors in the 8th
Century. The Islamic Moors ruled for more than 500 years, and
their impact on Algarvean culture can still be seen, with architecture
like lattice chimneys and Moorish doorways in towns with names
such as Al-Gharb ("the West"). Most notable are the
azulejos, painted ceramic tiles that cover the walls, floors,
and ceilings of Portuguese buildings. In the 15th century, after
Portugal was back under Christian control, the Algarve was the
center of the Age of Exploration, the base for such legends as
Henry the Navigator and Vasco de Gama. Nowadays, the explorers
are tourists, who look no further than the golden shores and untouched
lagoons of Algarve itself!
Areas Within the Destination
In the Northwest part of the Algarve,
which is still the southernmost province in Portugal, is the Serra
De Monchique, a volcanic mountain range that is beautiful in its
vegetation and panoramic views all the way to the sea. The small
town of Monchique is the best starting place for mountain excursions,
while the more westerly town of Aljezur and its Moorish castle
provide access (by car) to the untamed and isolated beaches along
the west coast. On the southwest cape is what the Romans called
Promontorium Sacrum (Sacred Promontory), now known as Cabo de
São Vicente, which used to be thought of as the end of
the world. Its cliffs still provide awesome views of the Atlantic,
and now have the most powerful lighthouse in Europe. On the southern
coast are many lovely fishing towns such as Alvor, Carvoeiro,
and Albufeira that are the most popular destinations for vacationers,
with fine beaches and intriguing historical buildings. In contrast
to this are enormous, modern beach resorts like Quarteira and
the Vilamoura complex, complete with a huge marina and 3 golf
courses. There are a few other noteworthy towns in Algarve, like
Silves, which is known for growing citrus fruits, and Loulé,
a flourishing artisan town who specialize in crafts. The following
4 largest cities in the province, however, each have distinct
traits worth seeing:
Faro:
The capital of Algarve since 1756, this prosperous little city
is unfortunately overlooked by most tourists, as they fly into
the airport and immediately head out to the resort towns. There
is a lot to see in the old town, however, which is surrounded
by ancient walls and entered through the Arco da Vila, a huge
arch built on the site of a medieval castle. The Renaissance Sé,
which was the first Christian church built in the city, is the
site of an old mosque and was sacred to the Romans, Visigoths,
and Moors throughout history. The city has some fine museums,
such as the Museu Municipal, which boasts a Roman floor mosaic
from the 3rd century, and the Museu Etnográfico, which
provides insight to Algarve's traditional way of life with ceramics,
looms, and farming techniques. The more cosmopolitan center of
Faro is the Rua de Santo António, lined with shops, stylish
bars, and 18th-century architecture. The Baroque cathedral Igreja
do Carmo has decorations covered in Brazilian gold leaf. Another
popular site is the spooky Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones),
where the walls are lined with skulls and bones of 1,245 former
monks.
Portimão:
This is the 2nd largest commercial city and one of the most important
ports in Algarve, even though it was mostly destroyed in 1755
by the earthquake. The fish canning industry (sardines) brought
a lot a development in the 19th century, and now there are great
fishing activities in the city, besides open-air eating cafés
on the river. Rua do Comércio is a pedestrian shopping
street that starts from the old market square and ends with acres
of stalls set up near the train station. The Praça Teixeira
Gomes is local meeting place with cafés on the waterfront
and the Portimão Quayside docks all the sightseeing and
fishing excursion boats.
Sagres:
The most southwesterly point of Europe is inside the Costa Vicentina
Natural Park, which holds over 200 species of birds, including
Bonneli eagles and white storks. The real attraction to the little
port town, however, is the many untainted beaches that dot the
coastline, and the highsea cliffs where fearless fishermen test
their fate every morning. Nearby Sagres was Vilo Do Infante, where
Henry the Navigator set up his "school of navigation"
in 1420.
Lagos:
On the southern coast, this city is the biggest tourist destination
and also the port where Henry the Navigator actually built his
ships and departed on his voyages. Besides the pleasant boat tours
that leave from here, many tourists come for the Meia Praia beaches
to the east and the secluded Praia do Pinhao beaches to the west.
The town has interesting sites such as a well-preserved 8th-century
Moorish section near the monument to navigator Gil Earnes and
the site of the first slave market in Europe, the mercado dos
escravos under the arcades on Rua da Senhora dea Graça.
