Algarve - places to go/tips???

[mattSV]

Just booked a last minute week away to Albufeira, leaving this Saturday.

Have booked a car so anyone got any tips on places to go/see/eat etc (Philipie/Anna - not sure if this is anywhere near you?)

Cheers

Matt

[Quiff Wichard]

oooo mr matt my sister went last year to there... it is fabulous mate...

its on itv now !!! how odd..


I will ask her about it..

[Quiff Wichard]

serious its on itv now .. Albufera oo i wonder if there is a horse running today called Albufera..??


says nice cafes in the square- all pedestrianised now.

it comparing 1974 to now.. maybe on itv catchup on line matt you can catch it all..


tell you what I like the look if it , I might have to look at goin there sometime..

[Quiff Wichard]

rang her- she was real drunk all the time so cant recall.. ha.

but she did say you MUST go see the harbour at Viilamoura? it is stunning and ace fish restauraunts..

[MR UKI (1)]

I went to Albufeira a couple of years ago. Went in September and it was bloody hot :cool:. Really nice though, we stayed about a mile from the 'old town' on the hill, not far from the new marina thats been built. A few footballers have places there apparantly. Spent most evenings in the old town, it was really nice, lots of places to eat etc. We avoided the strip in the new part of town as just wanted to chillax, but had a walk down there during the day once. It's got all the nightlife if you want it though. The beach was really big and the old town bit was still very fishing village sort of thing. All in all, really loved it and would definitely go back. We stayed at Patio Village which is self catering apartments but only on 2 levels. Have a good time :D

[MR UKI (1)]

The marina bit was Villamoura as Quiff says :D

[Quiff Wichard]

bumpin this cos Matt goes on saturday


come on folks who been there-


where can he go in a car.. nice romantic places for the man and his wonderful wife.. ..

[anna]

ohhhhhhhhhh sorry hun missed this thread... my friends have a farm house down there.. give them a shout to see if they have room for you, they are all English and are sooo lovely.

http://www.farmhousealgarve.com/

It´s further south then we are, if you were flying into Porto we would only be a stones throw away :( ...

Drop us a PM if you hire a car and fancy coming up to Porto or perhaps we could meet you somewhere half way. It´s a shame as you will have just missed St João day here which involves many parties and fireworks. Pack an emense amount of suncream though we are currently having temps of 36º and it will be hotter where you are going.

Lagos (means lakes) - is an old town and has a lovely marina not to be missed with pretty good nightlife in the old part of town and Sagres - has huge cliffs and an old fortress the sailors used to go from, lots of history there. The coast line is amazing and many many beautiful beaches around. Most people speak English so you will be just fine ordering and getting what you need.

[keithd]

went there a few years ago, stayed just outside vilamoura which isnt too far. playboys paradise there, ferraris and porches are the norm parked near their yachts...

anyways, really didn't like portugal at all (sorry fillipe and anna!!) thought the waiting staff in all the resturants (in vilamoura) were arogant and rude...however i think we were just unlucky, stayed in a poncy area where commoners like me aint welcome!!

[anna]

went there a few years ago, stayed just outside vilamoura which isnt too far. playboys paradise there, ferraris and porches are the norm parked near their yachts...

anyways, really didn't like portugal at all (sorry fillipe and anna!!) thought the waiting staff in all the resturants (in vilamoura) were arogant and rude...however i think we were just unlucky, stayed in a poncy area where commoners like me aint welcome!!


I think some areas are like that, they are just the money area´s. Sorry you didnt have a good time, the rest of Portugual really isnt like that. :grouphug:

[mattSV]

ohhhhhhhhhh sorry hun missed this thread... my friends have a farm house down there.. give them a shout to see if they have room for you, they are all English and are sooo lovely.

http://www.farmhousealgarve.com/

It´s further south then we are, if you were flying into Porto we would only be a stones throw away :( ...

Drop us a PM if you hire a car and fancy coming up to Porto or perhaps we could meet you somewhere half way. It´s a shame as you will have just missed St João day here which involves many parties and fireworks. Pack an emense amount of suncream though we are currently having temps of 36º and it will be hotter where you are going.

Lagos (means lakes) - is an old town and has a lovely marina not to be missed with pretty good nightlife in the old part of town and Sagres - has huge cliffs and an old fortress the sailors used to go from, lots of history there. The coast line is amazing and many many beautiful beaches around. Most people speak English so you will be just fine ordering and getting what you need.

Thanks Anna - have already booked accomodation, however that farmhouse looks lovely. We have booked a car, not sure if we will make it as far as Porto - in theory, we are going to find some nice beaches and just chill out, however I fancy seeing a bit of the countryside so might head up that way - if we do, be good to see you if we can - will take the laptop, so will drop you a PM.

Lagos and Sagres sound good, really looking forward to it now. :cool:

[Quiff Wichard]

take the lap top..!

saddo.. :smt031

[Filipe M.]

went there a few years ago, stayed just outside vilamoura which isnt too far. playboys paradise there, ferraris and porches are the norm parked near their yachts...

anyways, really didn't like portugal at all (sorry fillipe and anna!!) thought the waiting staff in all the resturants (in vilamoura) were arogant and rude...however i think we were just unlucky, stayed in a poncy area where commoners like me aint welcome!!

Like Anna said, you were probably unlucky with the area you stayed at. Personally I don't fancy the Algarve that much, and Vilamoura would be the last of all places there.
Just like you said, Vilamoura is usually frequented by rich poncy (and often arrogant) people, so it's no wonder the waiters / waitresses will act like that too... to them, you were probably just another "beef" tourist who doesn't give a toss. I'm really sorry you felt like that, but if you want to try again we'll be more than happy to show you around the really cool places ;)

If you want to stick to the Algarve though, Albufeira is a bit better, Armação de Pêra (don't even try to pronounce it, it's useless :lol: ) and Portimão - Praia da Rocha are also cool, but Lagos is by far and away the best place to be there.
Sagres is worth it for the view (most southwestern point of Europe) and history. Beware of the cliffs though ;)

Thanks Anna - have already booked accomodation, however that farmhouse looks lovely. We have booked a car, not sure if we will make it as far as Porto - in theory, we are going to find some nice beaches and just chill out, however I fancy seeing a bit of the countryside so might head up that way - if we do, be good to see you if we can - will take the laptop, so will drop you a PM.

Lagos and Sagres sound good, really looking forward to it now. :cool:

Matt, if you really want to chill out then you'll want to a bit to the Northwest, towards the Alentejo coast. A bit of searching around and you'll find the best beaches with the nicest people, without being overcrowded like the Algarve always is. The sea won't be as soup-like as the Mediterranean-esque Algarve, but it'll probably be warm enough for you not to freeze on the spot, and it'll have decent waves! ;)

Have fun, will ya? :D

[mattSV]

take the lap top..!

saddo.. :smt031

Only so I can keep in touch with you :smt058

[TSM]

http://www.pyroserve.com/tsm/port_aug2005/images/DSCN0182.jpg
http://www.pyroserve.com/tsm/port_aug2005/images/DSCN0177.jpg
http://www.pyroserve.com/tsm/port_aug2005/images/DSCN0154.jpg

[mattSV]

http://www.pyroserve.com/tsm/port_aug2005/images/DSCN0182.jpg
http://www.pyroserve.com/tsm/port_aug2005/images/DSCN0177.jpg
http://www.pyroserve.com/tsm/port_aug2005/images/DSCN0154.jpg

And where is that then? :D

[Specialone]

I hired a villa in villamoura a few years back and i found it pretty nice.
The marina is lovely, personally i thought alberfuira (or however you spell it) was a bit blackpoolish in the streets etc.
Kids coming up to us begging while eating in a cafe (not that they do that in blackpool)
Bars offering a gazillion drinks for next to nothing.
Wouldnt rush back there:(
Sea was damn cold as well.

[caz650s]

Hi Matt

I have been going to Lagos for the last six years in November & it is brilliant ...by far the best town I have been to in the algarve .. as others have mentioned Praia da Rocha is also very nice.

Villamora is nice to have a stroll arond the waterfront and have a coffee .. but a bit expensive & I would avoid the new part of Albufira ... look out for timeshare sales people there aswell !!

You must do Lagos for a day you will not be dissapointed !

The massive beach in the photos looks like praia da rocha & the old town one looks like Lagos if they are not they are very much like them.

Have a great time ....

I dont know who you are getting your car from but for peace of mind I
always pay the few euros a day excess waiver

Cheers Caz.

[TSM]

1) from what i remember is Praia da Rocha
2) cant remember brother drove me there
3) is a small town in Monchique area, on the way up to the top of one of the mountain which has a military radar dome and from there you can see the new Portimao race track

[Quiff Wichard]

Have a great time Matt and Anita.. ...

[anna]

Have a great time Matt and Anita.. ...

+1 and let us know how it went when you get back..:smt038

[mattSV]

Thanks guys - will be taking two cameras, so there may well be one or two pics to post once we get back ;)

Leaving for the airport at about 2:30 tomorrow morning, hopefully will be there and unpacked, ready for a couple of beers and some nice food at lunch time on Saturday.

Laters.

:sunny::cool::sunny::cool::sunny::cool::sunny:

[Kate Moss]

have a fab time, im very jelous

[Filipe M.]

Thanks guys - will be taking two cameras, so there may well be one or two pics to post once we get back ;)

Leaving for the airport at about 2:30 tomorrow morning, hopefully will be there and unpacked, ready for a couple of beers and some nice food at lunch time on Saturday.

Laters.

:sunny::cool::sunny::cool::sunny::cool::sunny:

last minute recommendation, hope you can still read this and maybe take the time to do it: Estremoz (Alentejo, north of the Algarve). If you feel like kicking back for a while, do it. ;) Have a great time, will ya?

[Biker Biggles]

have a fab time, im very jelous


Its jealous.
Take a detention;)

[mattSV]

Its jealous.
Take a detention;)

Its should be "It's"

Have one yourself ;)

[mattSV]

last minute recommendation, hope you can still read this and maybe take the time to do it: Estremoz (Alentejo, north of the Algarve). If you feel like kicking back for a while, do it. ;) Have a great time, will ya?

Cheers Filipe, just had a look and that looks well worth a visit :thumbsup:

[Biker Biggles]

Detention's on me then?
No teacher's pet today it seems. seam's?