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Algarve Shopping - Guia-Albufeira
Possibly, during your journey from Faro airport, you have
already driven past this major shopping mall along the
National Road EN125. On a rainy day (if there is any ) and
about 30 minutes from your apartment you can visit Algarve
Shopping in Guia/Albufeira, right opposite the Makro and
with lots of free parking space above ground as well as in
the giant underground parking.
In Algarve Shopping you will find a multitude of shops, the
possibly largest supermarket you have ever seen, the
Continente where you can buy everything you may require, but
also fashion shops like Zara. The top floor is one big
eating area with lots of restaurants, bakeries,
coffee-shops, KFC’s and the like, but also for a quick
bite/roll this is the place to be. If the weather is really
bad – it does happen sometime - you can see a film in one of
the 4 cinema’s. You will be amazed by the price of a ticket!
Aqua Shopping - Portimão
In the northern part of Portimao’s city. Near to the large
general hospital, you can find the recently built Aqua
shopping centre. Very luxurious and all the
modern/fashionable brands are available. Huge underground
(free) parking and elevators will take you to the desired
floor. A phrase from another site: “Covering a total floor
area of 47,250 m² spread over three levels ( making it the
biggest in the Algare ) , Aqua Portimão features a shopping
gallery of 35,500 m², attached to a Jumbo hypermarket and
offering 117 stores, nine mid-sized units and 21
restaurants. All the facilities you would expect, Post
Office, ATM, Baby facilities, etc.. It also includes a
three-level underground parking area with 1,800 spaces”.
Close to this new and modern shopping building are old
factory chimney’s where you can see the storks build their
nest, lay their eggs and raise and feed their own children.
This can also be seen from the balcony of your apartment.
Storks nestle there as well. Young storks are being fed
quite close to you.
Villages - Ferragudo
Opposite the apartment and visible from the lounge, kitchen
and bedroom, lies the village Ferragudo on the other side of
the river. A lovely unspoiled authentic fisherman’s village.
A small village with a small tidal harbor and many good fish
restaurants along the boulevard. The village was built
against the slope of a hill with the church as central
point. From here you have a very nice view on the Arade
river, the Atlantic and, of course, Portimao with your flat
on the top floor.
Every 4 weeks there is a bric-a-brac market in Ferragudo.
Here you will find all kinds of second hand stuff at very
reasonable prices (after negotiations!). The village square
has a very special atmosphere with lots of terraces,
tabacconists and small shops. A stroll through the small and
narrow streets of Ferragudo will make you enjoy the
beautiful Algarve even more.
Beaches like Praia Grande, Pintadinho, Praia dos Caneiros
with the famous beach restaurant will leave an impression
for life.
Monchique
The Monchique village , or in full, Serra de Monchique, is
just 20 minutes away from your apartmenrt. Monchique is a
must see village and aready the winding road to the village,
with lots of handycraft shops and restaurants, is very
attractive.
The market village is especially known because of the very
high location and most impressive views. The highest part of
the mountain is the township Foia where there are even
pick-nick tables and places where you can drink the natural
water from the wells of which people say that the water has
a healing effect against many illnesses. Caldas de Monchique
is where the old Spa is being re-vitalised; e great place to
relax. Even at a night with clear sky the Monchique mountain
range is impressive; you never believed that there were so
many stars visible with the naked eye. Very romantic!
Even more beautiful and pure nature can be seen and
experienced when you drive a little further into the
mountains. Ever so quiet and rough; purity to the max. The
Serra de Monchique also protects the Algarve against the
colder Northerly winds and stops the showers from the North.
And when you are roaming around Monchique, do use the
opportunity to have a delicious Frango Piri-Piri in one of
the basic local restaurants. Enjoy the food, the locals and
the very low prices.
Portimão
After Faro, Portimao is the second largest city in the
Algarve and the main commercial harbor. It also has the
largest sardine-fleet of Portugal and on the boulevard,
close to the ancient bridge, you can eat the best sardines
ever. Walking to the South on the Boulevard (your apartment
is just 100 yards from the end of it) you will encounter
many small stall selling tickets for boat trips. Along the
coast but also up-river, all the way to Silves.
Portimao has the largest public hospital in the Algarve and
all specialists are available. A private hospital can be
found nearby in Alvor. The center of Portimao is constantly
under renovations and all historic sites are preserved. It
will take 15 minutes to walk from your apartment to the city
where there are lots of restaurants and shops. In the same
amount of time you can walk to the Praia da Rocha beach and
the more touristic part of the city.
Praia da Rocha
Just a short walk will take you to the well-known Praia da
Rocha, the part of Portimao that is especially developed to
attract tourism, mainly because of the great sandy beach and
the impressive high rocks
along the coast and boulevard. In Praia da Rocha you will
find whatever a holidayer may wish to find; very many small
shops, tabacconists, terraces, restaurants, bars, café’s,
hotels, a casino, disco’s, you name it. But also here, you
will find the charming traces of the Morish occupation, many
hundreds of years ago. Shown in the way some houses were
built, the typical chimneys on the roof s. A holiday is not
complete when you have not enjoyed a dinner with a Fado
performance. Fado, the typical and romantic Portuguese
music.
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Large sandy Praia da Rocha beaches
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Lively Praia da Rocha boulevard
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Long Portimao boulevard
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Municipal Portimao Marina with Club
house
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Commercial Portimao marina and harbours
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Praia da Rocha commercial Marina
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Many small restaurants with all kinds of
dishes
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Lively terraces for a beer, bica or coca
cola
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Praia da Rocha beach bars
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Several Portimao museums
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Many very good hotels
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Rental Apartments
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Golf courts nearby
Silves
In the many years that the Moors occupied this part of
Southern Europe, the small city of Silves used to the
Capital of the Algarve. In importance, construction, size
and appeal it found it equals in the lush cities in
Andalusie, Spain, like Sevilla and Cordoba where you find
the famous Al Hambra, for example.
In many old buildings within the walled old city you can
still find many traces of this occupation.
The remains of Silves
Castle are worth a visit. On the large terrace in front of
the castle and the very old church, Brazilian music is often
played on Sunday afternoons and a visit to the August
Medieval Festival is an attraction. So is the Silves Beer
Festival, by the way………….
There are many authentic small restaurants in Silves where
you can eat the local Cataplana or very good seafood, while
listening to the Fado music.
Carvoeiro
Just a little bit further to the East of Ferragudo, you will
find the typical Carvoeiro village with its small
fisherman’s beach and several other nice beaches along the
coast. Although Carvoeiro is now a real holiday village, the
strict building rules have avoided that Carvoeiro has become
one of the places with towering apartment buildings, like
Albufeira or Armacao de Pera. The charm and character of
Carvoeiro has been preserved.
A very friendly
village with lots of restaurants, bars and small shops and
even 2 disco’s. Located close to 3 very good and nice golf
courses, Vale da Pinta, Gramacho and a par-3 nine hole
course called Vale do Milho. Also close by are the waterpark
Slide and Splash in Estombar and Zoo Marine in Guia.
A rental villa (check
Vila Maria), apartment (Aurora
Mar) or hotel is easy to find and always close to all
amenities. Top of the bill hotel in Carvoeiro is The Tivoli
Almansor, right on the Ocean and where also many conferences
are held.
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