THE ALGARVE
Know More About Algarve
The Algarve
The Algarve’s natural diversity is undoubtedly one of its greatest riches. Visitors can easily pass through different environments within the same landscape. From coastal regions to the Algarvian Mountains, there is a whole world of diversity to be explored and just as many different ways to do so.
On the coastline, an ecological system of awe-inspiring biodiversity – from native birds with proudly built nests, to molluscs and crustaceans which are the main source of revenue for seafood producers in the South – invites visitors to observe fauna and flora closely on pleasant trail walks.
Far from the wide beaches and steep cliffs, bright green mixes with shades of brown in the vast plains of the Barrocal region that invites the visitor to experience a different Algarve, one that is covered with orange trees and orchards of fig, carob and almond trees.
Here too, there are nature trails to follow. Miles and miles of landscape with special geological features – schist and granite-like rock – are here to be enjoyed in the tranquillity of the mountains among friends and family.
(RTA, in https://www.visitalgarve.pt/pt/Default.aspx).
Things to do & Places to visit
Due to its peripheral location, the Algarve enjoys good transport connections, both internally with the other Portuguese cities and externally with the rest of the world. Various national airlines have regular flights to the Algarve, making Faro a busy international airport. Other international airports may be considered if combined with train or bus to get to Faro: Lisbon and Seville (Spain).
Visit Algarve (website)
Algarve Tips (website)
Vilamoura (website)
Algarve 360º (video)
Algarve, Europe´s most famous secret (video)
A secret to share: tell the whole world about the Algarve. Life is so much better when you share it. (video)
365 Algarve - Every day counts (website)
Loulé Municipality
Al’Ulyà, the Arabic name of the city of Loulé, was founded in the 12th century, in a time of great political instability in the territory. The fortification was built in masonry and “taipa” (mixture of mud and sandstone) and covered an urban area of about 5 hectares.
It was conquered from the Moors in 1249 (reign of D. Afonso III) and received a charter in 1266. In 1291, the king D. Dinis instituted here, the only Algarvian Medieval Fair. During the middle Ages, different cultures cohabited – Arabs, Jews and Christians- which were involved in the life of the city, as demonstrated by the earliest “Atas de Vereação” (City Hall Minutes) of the national territory (1384).
Here was built the oldest Hospital in the Algarve, to give support to the troops involved in the conquest of North Africa (15th century).
In 1988, it became a city, being one of the most prosperous and beautiful cities in the region, the centre of the largest council of Algarve, which goes from the mountains to the sea.
Its entire historic zone is very interesting to visit, along narrow and winding streets, you can find historic buildings such as the Complex of Islamic Public Baths and the Main Church , as well as new cultural places. You can also find several emblematic buildings spread around the area of urban sprawl from the early 20th century.
Since earliest times, Loulé is a centre of great commercial dynamism, where there are since the small artisans, who still work live, to the most modern commercial areas.
It should be noted the weekly market on Saturday mornings, around the building of the Municipal market, where the merchants remembering the Arabian style, sell all sorts of vegetables from the rural parishes, in a truly popular ambiance.
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