Algarve events 2008

Regina Caruncho — Wed, 07 May 2008 10:25:00 GMT

Art

10 - 18 May 2008 (annual)

The annual Algarve Film Festival, (FICA - Festival Internacional de Cine do Algarve), in the town of Portimão, is Portugal's oldest cinema event, dating back to 1972. It centres on a short…

Festival Med

25 - 29 Jun 2008 (annual)

Loulé

The best of the Med comes to Loulé in the Algarve this summer for a music, dance and arts extravaganza in the form of Festival Med.

Festivals & Heritage

Moorish Nights

Jul 2008 (annual)

Cacela Velha

During the Moorish Nights, the Algarve village of Cacela Velha recreates the ambience of the Arab presence in the region from the 10th-13th centuries.

Cova dos Mouros Mine Park

10 May - 31 Oct 2008; Thu only (annual)

Cova dos Mouros Mine Park, Alcoutim

If you're interested in archaeological finds then head for the Cova dos Mouros Mine Park. Discover the remains of copper mines dating back to the Chacolithic period (2500 BC) and learn all…

Loulé Carnival

Feb 2009 (annual)

Loulé

At carnival time the people of Loulé really let rip and stage a lively event with plenty of floats, fancy dress, parades and parties, mostly along the Avenida José da Costa Mealha.

Easter Festival

Mar 2009 (annual)

S. Bras de Alportel

Easter Sunday is celebrated in São Bras de Alportel with an unusual ceremony. The men of this inland town hold decorated torches while running through the streets shouting "Hallelujah".

Castelo de Silves

Daily

Castelo de Silves, Silves

Located at the highest point in Silves, this impressive castle once formed part of the wall that encircled the city and was an important defence when it was the capital and residence of the…

Kids & Family

Moorish Nights

Jul 2008 (annual)

Cacela Velha

During the Moorish Nights, the Algarve village of Cacela Velha recreates the ambience of the Arab presence in the region from the 10th-13th centuries.

Ria Formosa Nature Reserve

Daily

Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, Faro

Ria Formosa, on the coast of the Algarve close to Faro, is one of the area's most popular tourist destinations and a wonderful place for nature lovers to spend the day. Designated a protected…

ZooMarine

Daily; not Mon

ZooMarine, Guia

Located at the heart of the Algarve tourist region, the ZooMarine oceanographic theme park in Guia offers a great day out for the whole family.

Krazy World

Daily

Krazy World, Algôz

Krazy World is a theme park that combines a mini-zoo and petting farm with a crazy golf course.

Castelo de Silves

Daily

Castelo de Silves, Silves

Located at the highest point in Silves, this impressive castle once formed part of the wall that encircled the city and was an important defence when it was the capital and residence of the…

Algarve Live Science Centre

Daily; not Mon

Centro de Ciência Viva do Algarve, Faro

For adults and children alike, the Algarve Live Science Centre in Faro is a place of discovery and learning. The exhibits are interactive, encouraging the visitor to stretch the boundaries of…

Lifestyle

Festival do Marisco

Aug 2008 (annual)

Jardim do Pescador Olhanese, Olhão

One of the most important gastronomic events in the Algarve, the Festival do Marisco (seafood festival) in the fishing town of Olhão has rows of stalls selling all kinds of fresh fish dishes.…

Ria Formosa Nature Reserve

Daily

Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, Faro

Ria Formosa, on the coast of the Algarve close to Faro, is one of the area's most popular tourist destinations and a wonderful place for nature lovers to spend the day. Designated a protected…

Algarve Shopping

Daily

Algarve Shopping, Albufeira

AlgarveShopping is a giant shopping mall and entertainment centre just a short drive from Albuferia in the town of Guia. It features all the most popular high street and designer shops as well…

Vilalara Thalassa

Daily

Vilalara Thalassa, Lagoa

It may sting your eyes, but sea water and its derivatives can do wonders for the mind, body and soul. The thalassotherapy centre at Vilalara is one of the best places in Europe to get a good soaking.

Monchique Thermal Baths

Daily

Monchique Thermal Baths, Monchique

Between the blue sky and the green Monchique mountains lies Monchique Spa, or Caldas De Monchique, the perfect place to soak away your worries (and maybe even the lines from your face) as the…

Sports & Outdoors

Vilamoura International Showjumping Contest

Sep 2008 (annual)

Vilamoura Showjumping Course, Vilamoura

Once again the International Showjumping Contest takes place in the Algarve resort of Vilamoura. With first-class showjumpers from Portugal and overseas, the competition is as hot as the destination.

Ria Formosa Nature Reserve

Daily

Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, Faro

Ria Formosa, on the coast of the Algarve close to Faro, is one of the area's most popular tourist destinations and a wonderful place for nature lovers to spend the day. Designated a protected…

Quinta do Lago

Daily

Quinta do Lago, Almancil

Used several times for the Portuguese Open, the Quinta do Lago is a deluxe golf course situated close to Almancil. Designed by William Mitchell and opened in 1974, the course favours the long…

Algarve-Gold Luxury Coastal Cruises

Daily

Lagos

For a luxury day out, hire the Algarve-Gold 45ft motor cruiser, built by one of Britain's leading yacht builders. Periods of hire range from a few hours to days, weeks or even months.

Parque da Floresta Golf Course

Daily

Parque da Floresta Golf Course, Budens

The Algarve is renowned for its golf courses and the Parque de Floresta is one of the finest in Europe. Designed by Spanish golf architect Pepe Gancedo in 1995, it is an undulating course with…

Alto Golf

Daily

Alto Golf, Alvor

Opened in 1991, the Alto Golf course was the last to be designed by the legendary Sir Henry Cotton. Located close to the coastal village of Alvor, golfers can enjoy the occasional picturesque…

Boavista Golf Course

Daily

Boavista Golf Course, Lagos

This 18-hole course near Lagos was designed by Howard Swan and opened in 2001. Good for the average player, the course is set amongst umbrella pines, fig, almond and olive trees, with various…

Palmares Golf Course

Daily

Palmares Golf Course, Lagos

Designed by Frank Penninck in 1976, this course is renowned for its breathtaking views and overlooks the Bay of Lagos. It is an open 18-hole par 71 with five challenging holes on sand dunes.…

Penina Championship Golf Course

Daily

Le Meridien Penina Golf & Resort, Portimão

The Algarve is renowned for its golf courses and Penina was one of its first. Designed by Sir Henry Cotton in 1966, it was built on what was once paddy fields. With flat fairways and…

Vilamoura Casino

Daily

Vilamoura Casino, Vilamoura

As well as international shows and game rooms, Vilamoura Casino has the famous Blackjack disco, all promising a night of adult entertainment.

Ocean Golf Course

Daily

Ocean Golf, Almancil

One of the many golf courses designed by Sir Henry Cotton, the Ocean golf course opened in 1968. As the name suggests, it boasts views of the Atlantic, with some holes along the cliff tops.

Algarve-Gold Traditional Sailing Trips

Daily

Lagos

For the perfect family day out, hire a traditional Portuguese sailing vessel, with a trip round the Lagos Bay and to the grottoes at Ponto de Piedad and the beaches at Burgau. Then anchor…

Monchique Thermal Baths

Daily

Monchique Thermal Baths, Monchique

Between the blue sky and the green Monchique mountains lies Monchique Spa, or Caldas De Monchique, the perfect place to soak away your worries (and maybe even the lines from your face) as the…

VILAMOURA

Regina Caruncho — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:40:00 GMT

VILAMOURA

Vilamoura is the name given to an area rather than to any actual town. It is outstanding in that it is one of the largest single tourist complex in Europe and covers some 2.000 hectares of land. The land is variable in its vegetation, some parts covered in pine forests whilst others open recovered marshland. The company that owns this complex is extremely environmentally conscious and has made every effort is being made to protect nature within its continued planned development. Due to the size of the resort area it offers the visitor nearly every form of sport and entertainment. On the southern border is a long sandy beach swept by the Atlantic Ocean.

Amongst the many attractions and facilities there are six different Golf Courses, a large Marina, a Lawn Bowling Club with two grass Rinks, a Tennis Centre, a Sports Club, a Shooting Club, 5 Star and 4 Star Hotels, Tourist Apartments, self-catering Villas, Night Clubs, an International Casino with glamorous shows, a Cinema, and an excellent Riding School. Within the centre of Vilamoura there is a preserved Roman Site and Museum of Cerro da Vila providing an interesting glimpse into the past of the area. In Roman times this location was important in producing a fish paste known as "garum". The ruins also include the baths in which the mariners used to bathe.

As a location specifically designed for tourism it has proved to be a very successful holiday destination for all ages due to the variety of facilities that it provides holidaymakers.

Facilities include:

Restaurants
Cafés / Pubs
Post office
Banks
Petrol station
Supermarkets (with international products)
Railway station
Beautiful Marina
A large variety of Golf Courses

Approximate Driving time to Airports

Lisbon – 2,5 hours
Faro – 15 minutes
Porto – 6,5 hours