Faro District

Surrounded by fertile fields of trees bearing fruit, olives and the almonds for which the Algarve is famous, Faro is a large town of over 50,000 inhabitants, the administrative capital of the province, lies at the heart of the Formosa Estuary. Under Moorish rule the port of Faro was of great importance but more recently it is the airport which serves as the entry point for millions of holidaymakers who flock annually to the south of Portugal. Although many rush straight through en route to holiday resorts elsewhere in the region, Faro itself is well worth a visit or even an extended stay as it retains much of its past charm, boasts excellent beaches and provides the amenities and attractions typical of a larger town. Sé de Faro Sé de Faro António Sacchetti Both the Moors and the Romans left their mark here: the 9th century city walls encircling the centre of the old town are of Roman origin and contain ornate Moorish archways, but now serve to surround a number of catholic churches and a cathedral. As the last Portuguese province under Muslim rule, the expelling of the Moors from Faro in 1249, and so the Algarve, marked the end of their rule in the whole country. Adjacent to a calm square lined with orange trees and facing the still functioning Bishop's Palace, the cathedral, The Se, is in fact built on the site of an ancient mosque and before that a Roman forum. Its interior contains a beautiful tiled chapel, although if tiles that tell a story are particularly appealing, then the Church of Sao Francisco and its glazed friezes of the life of St Francis are very merit worthy. Similarly to Evora, Faro also boasts the rather macabre attraction of a chapel lined with the bones and skulls of over 1000 monks (Capela de Ossos). Nevertheless, this isn’t the only interesting feature of the Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo, sometimes known as the golden church due to the extensive array of gold and gilded décor and artefacts. Also interesting is the section devoted to the Arab rule of the area in the archaeological museum housed in a 16th century convent.

A Benagil boat tour remains the most popular way to visit the Benagil cave

Lagos

Discovery the under full water caves in Algarve

Lagos

One of the most popular tourist destinations on the Algarve and certainly one of my favourites, Lagos is a bustling town full of activity, nightlife and modern attractions. However, it is also a town full of history and the monuments and architecture which take us back to the many different peoples who have settled here and the many maritime adventure which have started in Lagos' impressive natural harbour. The nearby beaches are among the best in the region and the rocky headland of Ponta da Piedade is outstandingly beautiful. Ponta da Piedade - Lagos Ponta da Piedade Over the two and a half thousand years of its existence, Lagos has been home to the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors all attracted by the harbour and what it represented in terms of communication, location and therefore power. Henry the Navigator famously ordered expeditions from here, and indeed it was from here that Vasco da Gama set sail for what was to be his discovery of Brazil. Many statues dotted around the town remember past sea adventurers, including Dom Sebastião whose attempt to capture areas in North Africa ended in total disaster in 1578. Even British sailors under Nelson made Lagos a renowned stopover point as they told their countrymen back home of the wonders of the drinking and the beautiful local women. Igreja de Santo António - Lagos Igreja de Santo António - Lagos LacobrigoCC BY-SA 3.0 Drinking and good times continue to be a fundamental part of a visit to Lagos and the fine array of restaurants, bars and local festas stand as testament to this. The busy flea market fills the narrow streets of the centre, which also boasts a Cultural Centre hosting various exhibitions and events throughout the year. For those more interested in the maritime aspect of the area, boat trips, deep-sea fishing and yacht hire are all available at the marina. For sightseers the ancient city walls are well preserved despite the devastation caused by the 1755 earthquake which destroyed much of the town and caused Lagos to lose its status as capital of the Algarve in favour of the less affected Faro. One church remains; the Igreja de Santo António - where Dom Sebastião reputedly attended his last mass before his tragic expedition - is also known as the golden church due the impressive baroque gilt work on display. Cherubs and animals feature among the intricate carvings often fashioned out of Brazilian gold. The local museum is also found here with artefacts from the Iron and Bronze Ages alongside sacred treasures. The ominous honour of housing Europe's first slave market dating from 1441 and now an art gallery located in Rossio da Trindade, is another unique string to Lagos' bow.

Ponta da Piedade

Ponta da Piedade is simply one of the most extraordinary settings in the Algarve.

Olhao

Admire the local markets

Faro

Viste Faro town the Algarve biggest town and capital region