Loule is a fantastic destination for a day trip, and offers an interesting mix of historic sights and Portuguese culture. The town can be seen within three hours of sightseeing, but a trip is usually longer to browse the shops and have lunch.
Saturday morning. The market extends its stalls outdoors to the Farmers Market and the Gypsy Market is also an easy 10 minute walk away. Start at the outdoor Gypsy Market, walk up to Municipal Market, have lunch in the old town and visit the Loulé Castle.
The market is close to the Aquashow water park so it is a great idea to combine a visit to the market in the morning with an afternoon at the water park to cool down! Time schedule: Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vilamoura is a sophisticated holiday destination boasting an exclusive marina and world-class golf, while Quarteira is more low-key and is popular with the Portuguese. Both towns are next to each other and share the same stunning beaches.
What is the name of the most famous beach in Vilamoura?
Praia da Falesia
Praia da Falésia, extending along the coastline, is undoubtedly one of the most iconic and picturesque beaches in Vilamoura. In fact, it's been voted as one of the best beaches in the world several times over the years.
However, the town comes alive on Saturday mornings when the daily market expands to include a farmer's market, spilling onto the surrounding streets. Also held on Saturdays is a bustling and chaotic gypsy market held close to the Convento Do Santo Antonio on the western side of Loule.
There's still quite a lot of character in both. There is more to see in Lagos as it's a larger, more bustling place than Alvor but both places have a similar vibe and feel. They are both busy without being rowdy and are more family- and couple-orientated than places like the Albufeira 'strip' or Praia da Rocha.
Open from Monday - Saturday from 7am to 1pm the Tavira Municipal market is a great place to encounter locals selling local products. I've been making a trip there each morning so we have the freshest ingredients for dinner in the evening. The vendors are great fun to talk with and very helpful.
Rua da Escolas in Olhos de Água, part of Albufeira district, is home to a flea market referred to locally as the mercado mensal. It takes place twice a month (not once as the name suggests) on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday.
Situated in a quiet area between Quarteira and Vale do Lobo, Loulé Velho Beach has ochre-coloured cliffs as its backdrop, surrounded by an extensive pine forest.
Carnaval de Loulé is the oldest continuous pre-Lenten party in Portugal, with 117 years of celebrations. Thousands of revelers jam the streets. Those in costume strut their stuff.
Most restaurants along the Vilamoura marina are expensive, but if you head a few streets away from the tourist streets, the costs are much lower. If you're looking for some typical Portuguese food like grilled sardines or bacalhau, a salted cod dish, visit one of the many family owned restaurants called tascas.
Quarteira – Another option for people wanting to spend vacations in Vilamoura, but wanting to be away from the more expensive prices of Vilamoura's resort, is the town of Quarteira, located right next door.
NANTUCKET - Nantucket has been named "the most expensive beach destination in the world," according to a recent survey by TravelMag.com. The publication had a particular way of coming up with its ranking.
Of the large Algarve resort towns (Albufeira, Lagos and Praia da Rocha), Vilamoura has the most mature atmosphere, and this makes it ideal for families and older couples.
Asset manager Arrow Global, which owns Vilamoura World, has announced plans to invest €500 million in a “historic relaunch” of the Algarve's famous resort town Vilamoura.
To enjoy the nightlife of Albufeira we recommend you get to your first bars around 8 pm preferably after eating a good dinner in one of the many restaurants that surround the strip or even better in the Portugal Rocks Bar. So your stomach is well lined ready for a fierce night of drinking ahead.
