Near to Loulé is Almancil a small town that acts also as a supplier of services to the prosperous holiday areas just south on the coast. Further inland is the small village of Alte, a village that is known for its un-spoilt rural architecture and its enthusiasm for folk music. Another inland village is Paderne that has a romantic 13th Century castle in ruins sitting alone on the crest of a deserted hilltop. The coastal town of Quarteira that was once a fishing village is now converted into a multi-apartment tourist location. Not too far away from Loulé is the village of Querença with its stalactite caves. Also, the village of Salir with ruins of a castle and a nearby two 800 meters long walls from the Neolithic period. The small village of Benafim existing from Arab times and within easy reach of Loulé, still reflects rural life from the early part of the last century.
This area has two added attractions in both the caves at Alto Fica and the rock face of Rocha da Pena. The towns of São Brás de Alportel and Santa Bárbara de Nexe, are both small and also demonstrate the fast disappearing Portuguese atmosphere reflecting the rural social style of life. In São Bras de Alportel there is an interesting museum that houses a permanent collection of rural artefacts and costumes truly reflecting the past manner of living in the Algarve.
Loule an its fabulous Carnival
The council of Loule is known by their traditions and beaches, but also by its famous Carnival party that looks like the Brazilian. Nowadays, the Carnival of Loule has several themes, as the society, the political system and the most important events of the year. All those ingredients are mixed with a good critic dose full of good mood and diversion, but in the summer the council gets hotter.
The visitors seek Loule with the intention of taking advantage of their beaches, dispersed in a beautiful coast. The beaches of Vilamoura, Quarteira, Vale do Lobo, Garrao, Ancao, Quinta do Lago, and Falesia are authentic natural paradises and in the waters of Loule you can enjoy nautical sports.
The golf is also a sport very practiced in Loule, with countless fields. Maybe for that reason, the council is known by being a demarcated area of the golf. The golf courses extend from the Vila Sol to the Quinta do Logo, passing through Vilamoura, Quarteira, Vale Garrao, Ancao, Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Sao Lourenco, all in a natural gorgeous scenery.
Loule receives during the year great names of the world golf, and also intellectuals and politicians, artists and soccer professionals, musicians and people of businesses that come from everywhere to play golf.
Loule promotes several sport and cultural events along the year, as Vale do Lobo Grand Champions and Algarve Summer Festival, one of the most important summer festivals of Portugal.
The town and the council also has a vast historical and cultural patrimony, like the Roman Bridge of Tor, Castles of Loule and of Salir, Mother church of Sao Clemente, Mother church of Sao Lourenco of Almancil, Small chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao, Church of Sao Pedro do Mar, Mother church of Alte, Igreja Matiz of Nossa Senhora da Assuncao, Small chapel of Nossa Senhora das Portas do Ceu, Mother church of Sao Sebastiao, Church of Nossa Senhora da Gloria, besides the natural beauty of the gardens of Amuados and of Comunidades. Other places of interest are the Archeological Station of Cerro da Vila and the historical area of Loule.
In spite of having a vast history and a great dimension, the municipal district includes only two cities: Loule and Quarteira.
For who tries to pass a very good night, Vilamoura is the centre of the nightlife of the council of Loule. Besides the famous dispersed bars along the sea area, as the Bar Seven, the soccer players Luis Figo property, El Salero, Irish Pub, among others.
Another attraction is the Casino of Vilamoura, a reference for the thousands of tourists that visit Algarve. Besides the room of the machines and of the roulette, the visitors can see beautiful shows.
The Casino still concentrates one of the most popular discos of that area, Black Jack. In fact, it is in Vilamoura that is located another reference disco for all lovers of the nightlife, Kadoc. The city of Loule still has several bars, as well as the Campus, Joker and Breath, used by the academicals students. The Bar Satori is part of the itinerary of alternative bars of the country. There you can enjoy several rock shows and art exhibitions.
Quinta do Lago and the Square of Vale do Lobo are also other alternatives for the national and foreign tourists that prefer hotter nights of summer.
For who seeks an outdoor atmosphere, it is possible to visit the Municipal Park of Loule, where you can exercise yourself.
Loule is composed by the freguesias of Almancil, Alte, Ameixial, Benafim, Boliqueime, Quarteira, Querenca, Salir, Sao Clemente, Sao Sebastiao and Tor.
Unforgettable holidays are guaranteed in the Eastern Algarve and Central Algarve!
Loule and it’s gastronomy
The gastronomy of Loulé is very diversified. The tasting begins for the soups, as the soup of fish, “lingueirão”, “conquilhas”, “montanheira”, hare, bread with “amêijoas”, lentils, partridge chicken soup and others.
But the mollusks and crustaceans are request on the table, as Spoiled with paint, filled squids, octopus salad, octopus rice, “lingueirão” rice, “berbigão” rice, “cataplana”, shrimp, “amêijoas”, open “berbigões” in the foil and snails.
The accompanied sardines of the habitual tomato salad are also one of the favourite plates, as well as the “carapaus Alimados”, fried fish, tuna steak and cod with garlic.
For who prefers meat, you can enjoy the chicken with cheer typical from Loulé, pork with “amêijoas”, sheep leg, fried pork, roast beef or stewed with potatoes, cabbage with pig ear, stewed partridge, soaked of rooster or of lamb, boar “feijoada”, kid goat in the oven, fried rabbit and hare with white bean.
The wines and the candies are still very appreciated in the cookery of Loulé.
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Text: Igor Lopes
Copyright "Real Estate Agency Algarve Villas Luz, Lda."