|
This
page will be updated as we receive more information.
Most
recent updates in red
 Faro
and the Algarve
The Algarve, A Brief Insight -
A commercial port since the eleventh century, Faro has been the
site of many battles before being burnt to the ground by the Earl of Essex in 1596 when
Spain's occupation of Portugal made it an enemy. Further damage was caused by an
earthquake in 1755 leading to Lagos temporarily becoming the regional capital, before Faro
resumed this responsibility helped by the opening of the Lisbon Faro railway line in 1889
which greatly boosted the economy. It is however over the last 30 years that Faro
and the rest of the Algarve area take off with Tourism, helped by the opening of Faro Airport in 1965.
As
for Portugal -
It was in 1143 that Portugal gained partial
independence from Spanish rule. The Treaty of Alcanices in 1297 saw Spain recognise
Portugal's borders but nearly 100 years on, a revolt at the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385,
backed up by the British wiped out the Castilian Army and a year on, at Coimbra, one of
England's venues saw the signing of the Treaty of Windsor, an alliance that sealed
relations between Portugal and England that is still spoken of today. In 1498 famously the
explorer Vasco da Gama sailed from Portugal to the East Indies, which was the beginning of
the Portuguese empire in the Far East and immense trading. Further spats over the years
with Spain continued before Portugal overthrew the Monarchy and declared itself a republic
in 1910 before fighting with the Allies in the First World War, four years later, but took
the stance of neutrality for the Second World War.
Thereafter, the country become more of a Dictatorship until in 1974 A coup carried
out by some of the army brought about a coalition government of opponents to the earlier
dictator, Salazar. Political prisoners were freed and Portugal withdrew from its African
territories, most notably Mozambique, where lengthy wars had long been a drain on the
economy.
There followed years of political instability with 17 left-wing coalition
governments before a new constitution in 1982 brought about a normal government and entry
to the European Community in 1986.
Entry
Requirements
-
No Visa for UK Passport Holders.
Getting There and Around
- Many airlines fly direct or via their own European Hub airports with fares from around
£120 including taxes. For up to date
information, check out the links on our
Flights Latest
page.
Free buses (just show your flight ticket) can transport you
between Faro Airport and downtown for the 4 mile journey. For more information
Go To Faro Airport.
EVA Aerobus, we couldn't
use these in February because they only run from June to October (from the
airport Mon & Wed-Sunday hourly from 9am-8pm; from Faro/town bus station Mon
& Wed-Sun hourly 8.15am-8.15pm), which takes fifteen minutes.
Buses: Regular coach services link the many towns and resorts in the
Algarve
.
Click Here for further information.
Taxis: These are plentiful
but not as cheap as the guidebooks and tourist information suggest allow
up to an addition €10 for journeys said to cost
€20. Expect to pay a minimum far
of €1.50 with surcharges for luggage and for travel between 10pm and 6am.
If you are travelling from Lisbon or elsewhere to Faro by train, plan your journey
with Portuguese Railways.
Going all the way by Train  for Eurostar through fares and Rail
Passes.
For
trains from to the Algarve from Lisbon from further a field and for rail timetables throughout
Europe.
If you want to hire a car,
the best option,
you can use
your UK Driving Licence.
In Portugal all traffic circulates on the
right. At main squares, crossings and junctions vehicles to the right have
right of way, unless otherwise indicated on signposts. At crossings with
roundabouts, the vehicles already circulating on the roundabout have
priority. All traffic signals are in accordance with international standards
so nothing too confusing. Most laws such as the compulsory wearing of
seatbelts is as in the UK. In cases of breaking the highway code and if the
person responsible is not resident in Portugal, an on-the-spot fine in cash
must be paid, or an amount equal to the maximum fine for the violation must
be deposited.
Some useful distances all from Faro in kilometres: - Albufeira
40, Lagos 80, Huelva (Spain) 114, Seville 200 and Cadiz 321km.
Need a Car ?,
book here
Suncars
Expedia Search and Book Car Rental
Tourist Information
– Other than at Faro
Airport, there are Tourist Information Centres in the following towns,
Albufeira (phone) 289 818 582, Alcoutim 281 546 179, Aljezur 282 998 229,
Alvor 282 547 523/4/5, Armação de Pêra 282 312 145, Carvoeiro 282 357 728,
Castro Marim 281 531 232, Faro 289 800 400, Lagos 282 763 031, Loulé 289 463
900, Monchique 289 911 189, Monte Gordo 281 544 495, Olhão 289 713 936,
Ponte Inter. Guardiana 281 531 800, Portimão 282 419 131, Praia da Rocha 282
419 457, Quateira 289 389 209, Sagres 282 624 873, Silves 282 442 255,
Tavira 281 322 511, and Vila Real Santo António 281 510 000.
Time
– Same time
as the UK.
Changing Money
£1 buys approximately €1.42
For today's rates use the
Currency Converter
Banking hours are typically Monday – Friday 8.30am-3.00pm with some Banks in
Lisbon open on Saturday mornings.
Credit Cards are accepted everywhere, other than in some Bars and Restaurants that are
strictly cash only. Similarly ATM’s called (multibanco) are widespread and as always
you’ll pay lower commission by changing money at one of the many Banks, rather than a
Foreign Exchange outlet or Hotel. In some establishments payment by credit card is only
acceptable for those European style cards where you input your pin number into a machine
rather than signing. These machines will not accept our cards.
Portuguese Banks are renowned for charging extortionate fees for changing Travellers
cheques.
In cases of loss or theft of credit
cards, UNICRE is
able to provide assistance
or E-mail;
redunicre.geral@unicre.pt
Accommodation -
Whilst
there is still some accommodation on the Algarve, the following links might
prove useful:-
www.algarve-gids.com
- www.rtalgarve.pt
- www.tdhotels.pt
www.portugalvirtual.pt
(tourism, transport, car hire, food, tourism,
accommodation)Hotels, Apartments, Villas, Houses and Pousadas
www.portugal-hotel.com
Very informative site listing hotels and
doing online quotes and giving detailed information. Group bookings
available. Bloody awful design though.
www.pousadas.pt
Pousadas are villas which offer a decent and interesting alternative to
hotels. Price range per person per week €90-€240. Informative easy to
use site.
www.portugala.com
Huge range of hotels, villas, country, manor houses and pousadas
throughout Portugal. Location, price and availability information
although you’ll need to contact some direct.
www.roteiro-campista.pt
Campsites, easy to use website
listing motor home, caravan, mobile homes and camping sites all over
Portugal. Also rental information and a list of private companies
specialising in these areas.
More Hotel accommodation particularly
through the following links will become available at the end of the
first phase:-
Where to go -
Faro,
capital of the Algarve. Main sites include the Arco da Vila, Town Arch,
Largo da Sé, Cathedral Square, along with the
usual handful of
museums and Churches which probably wont appeal to the majority.
The old town is called Cidade Velha and if anything is
worth a walk around to see the old walls and original town gate.
Not far away is the harbour area which is also worth
visiting, its home to various shops, restaurants, bars and gardens and is generally the
most happening place.
Behind the harbour are a number of pedestrianised and
other back streets. Rua de Santo António has numerous bars and restaurants, and close by
is the Regioal Museum depicting the history of Faro and around.
Faro also has its own beach, though not as nice as
those in nearby resorts and it probably wont be that warm, it's somewhere else to go.
Called Praia de Faro it's only a couple of miles away southwest of the town, reachable by
Bus number 14 or 16. Alternatively, If you want to walk, head southwards on
Rua Comandante Francisco Manuel, along the foot of the harbour, alongside
the railway line will guide you on a pleasant walk along the seafront.
Coming
through the old town walls you’ll reach the Cidade Velha (old town) and
from the jetty opposite you can get a number of ferries to local
beaches.
If you chose to jump on a ferry they’ll take you over to a couple of
excellent sandbar beaches between Faro and Olhao. The Old Town is the
departure point for trips to the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve.
You can
take a short drive to the village of Estói, if your really into mosaics
you'll see some good ones at the Roman ruins of Milreu. Nearby is a 19th
century Palace of Estói.
Going eastwards you
come to
Olhão,
a small fishing town and port, still very traditional with narrow
streets, and old white houses. Definitely worth a visit as is the Ria
Formosa Nature Reserve close by.
Tavira,
a fishing town on river banks making it very scenic. Used to be an
important port until the 1755 Earthquake. Well known for its production
of Salt, it is less well known for having 37 churches all dating
from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Vila
Real De Santo António, the frontier town linked by a bridge to
Spain. A busy town and commercial centre, it was built and developed to
strengthen Portugal's presence alongside the River Guadiana. After the
earthquake part of the town was redesigned along the lines of Lisbon
with easy to follow parrallel and perpendicular streets all running from
the central square.
Going westwards from
Faro you come to
Loulé,
like Faro has old city walls, museum and bustling Market stemming from
its Arab influence which is still evident today.
Silves,
also inland but dominated by Orange trees. It's a legacy from the Muslim
period, with a big Castle looking down from a hill towards the River
Arade, it was occupied by Islamics for many years and has an
Archaeological museum showing its history. (Tip if you're travelling by
rail, Silves railway station is nowhere near the town, you'll need to
take a Taxi)
Updated 06/6/04
Alvor,
See Portimão below - for eating, Blues Café for Tapas and Restaurant
Marisqueira for excellent freshly caught fish; Bolan Bar for reggae; Bon
Vivant, a decent night club
Updated 06/6/04
Portimão, a trading port occupied by many including Greeks and Arabs
its was attacked by the British, Spanish and Dutch during the 16th and
17th centuries. Recent years have seen much development but it has
stayed traditional and is an important fishing port with very attractive
beaches. For the ladies, Portimáo has 27 shoe shops in two streets !.
Lagos,
a city occupied by many over the years and the original capital of the
Algarve region until 1756. Explorers and Discoverers sailed from here
and today the market (Slave Market) you might visit was started by
slaves brought in from Africa.
Between
Lagos and Sagres are some of the Algarve's best beaches. Try and go
to Dona Ana beach and down the many steps to the point, Ponta da Piedade.
Nearby is Boca da Rio another nice beach with thermal springs at the
Roman ruins and old Fortress of Álmadena. If you're in to surfers or
watching them go to Martinhal beach.
Sagres,
right at the western end of the Algarve in a bay which forms a natural
harbour (Point of Sagres), however it is known for strong winds and
rough seas, so not the best choice for bathing.
Albufeira, needs no introduction, a major tourist centre, loads of
bars in an area known as "the strip", and great beaches. It's
one of the largest resorts around 6 miles west of Vilamoura. There's lots of history but
it's also a home from home with english fry up's on
offer everywhere. It's kept a traditional style old town if only spoilt some would say by
having given so many of the restaurants and bars English names. Great beach,
only downside to the whole place even in
February was the number of timeshare touts.
Vilamoura, in our opinion the top place to be, more upmarket than
Albufeira, its built on the site of an old Roman settlement. By far the
best place for Golf, swanky Hotels and people watching at a Marina, the
largest in Europe and home to
celebrities
and others who moor their luxury vessels in the Marina. Described by one
as the Monte Carlo of Portugal. A reasonable selection of shops,
and loads of restaurants and bars
(the
restaurant leaflets for places set back from the Marina offered by touts
are far better than those on the Marina). The Sardines are superb and
you get at least 5 and they're three times the size of the minuscule
ones we normally get out of a tin.
Attractions in the
area
There are far too many to
list here, particularly if you're into monuments, churches and museums.
The various Tourist Information centres will be able to provide all the
information you need. The following cater for a variety of interests
including families.
Albufeira - Zoomarine,
water park with Dolphins, Seals and Sea Lions, along with much more and
rides and attractions for the kids.
Estói - Ruins of Milreu, this site
was excavated properly only 30 years ago, that uncovered a Roman Villa
dating from the 2nd century.
Loulé - Go Karting on a circuit
built on the design of the Brazilian formula 1 circuit. Features a
separate kids track, bar and mechanical bull for rodeo riding.
Updated 06/6/04
Lagos - Parque Zoo with over 250
animals. You can also take a cruise around the Ponta da Piedade, an odd
shaped structure worn away into unusual shapes by the sea, Portugal's
own Rockall !. There's a Water Park for the kids at Estombar between
Portimáo and Lagos.
Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo - classy Algarve
resorts.
Quateira - a quite traditional
town some 14 miles west of Faro, just 4 miles away from the Stadium. Market, harbour and
beaches though we though downtown could do with a good clean.
Silves
- "The Englishman's Factory", complex close to the Castle with
restaurant, Cork Museum and in-house brewery. There's also video and
multimedia shows including one featuring fountains with a slide show
projected onto the walls of the Castle.
Tavira
- Ostrich Estate, Ostriches are not surprisingly the main attraction
here, in a Park that also allows children to come into contact with many
other furry animals such as Kangaroos and Guinea Pigs. Pedal cars, Crazy
Golf and an inflatable castle also feature.
Vilamoura -
Golf, Golf and more: The Roma Golf Park has two 18 hole mini golf
courses that are designed on an ancient Rome theme with lakes, springs
and ruins to hinder your round. The Parque Ambiental de Vilamoura is a
play and leisure area with walks, cycling, Horse Riding Botanical
Gardens, a Bird Observatory and no Golf.
Golf
- The following towns have courses: Albufeira (2), Almancil (6), Lagoa
(3), Lagos (1), Portimão (4), Sagres (1), Tavira (1), Vilamoura (5).
Language - Portuguese:
Follow this link
for some helpful phrases.
Food & Drink, Bars &
Nightlife - Cheap eating anywhere should not be a problem.
There are plenty of small supermarkets that also sell drink though this is
double the price of that found in proper bottle shops or out of town
hypermarkets. Update 28/3/04
- Good value, beers, Wines and Spirits can be obtained
from "Soares" stores. Branches can be found in Albufeira, Vilamoura and
Praia da Rocha.
Bars
& Nightlife around the Algarve– the Algarve's largest Disco
holding up to 8,000 is the "Kadoc" and can be found at Vilamoura. The resort of
Albufeira
around 5 miles west of Vilamoura will have the most English style pubs.
If you're staying in Albufeira visit amongst other Linekars, the Bulldog and Legends Pubs on the
famous strip "montechoro".
Some of the larger clubs have a “minimum
consumption” charge of around €25 which means you must drink that amount
or the balance is due on exiting, it’s there to stop people dancing all
night and not drinking. Check for signs and to be double sure check with
the doorstaff.
Stadium -
If' you've
tickets for a game there and haven't been before, the Faro Loulé Stadium, official name Estádio Algarve
has a 30,000 capacity and is around 8 miles northwest of Faro at Vale de Judeu, outside of the town of Almancil. The
Uefa site
gives more details
on the Stadium, access and a photo gallery showing its development.
Post Office -
The main Post Office in Faro is
at Largo do carmo.
Shops -
Don't expect anything special other than the usual tourist and
traditional shops found in any resort. Shops are generally open Mon-Fri 0900-1300 and
1500-1900 and on Saturday’s from 0900-1300. We're not aware of any big Shopping
Centres.
Out of town is "Algarve Shopping", if you
don't have a car many hotels in Vilamoura run a free bus, the centre is
around 30 minutes away at the Lanka Parque Comercial e industrial. Loads
of shops, restaurants and superb Hypermarket for those self catering.
The Weather -
Water, Electricity etc
-
Should be ok unless
you're staying somewhere awful. Electricity is the standard 2 pin 220
voltage.
Toilets, there are very few public toilets, so you'll need to find a
bar, restaurant or hotel. Bents are signed with an "H" for Homens or
"C" for Cabalheiros and Ladies with and "M" for Mulheres or
"S" for Senhoras.
Pharmacies open from 9
am to 1 pm and from 3 pm to 7 pm, Monday to Friday, and Saturday
mornings. There are also 24 hour pharmacies which operate according to
an official chart displayed on Pharmacy windows.
Radio, TV & Mobile’s
Click
the logo for broadcasting information.
There are 3 terrestrial TV stations, Radiotelevisão Portuguesa (RTP), runs the two
national TV channels, RTP 1, RTP 2 and a local regional channel as well as numerous
satellite channels including most Sky Channels. There's one English language radio station
that broadcasts some programmes in English, Kiss FM 101.2.
Your Mobile phone should be able to make and receive calls in Portugal, but
check this with your service provider and to see how much the calls will cost
!.
Further Information
Portugal Tourist Office,
2nd
Floor, 22-25a Sackville Street, London
W1S 3LY - Tel Enquiries: 020 7494 5720; Fax: 020 7494 1868
Web: www.portugalinsite.com
Email: tourism@portugaloffice.org.uk
 Police, Fire
and Ambulance 112. The Faro Police Station is at Rua da Policia de Segurança
Públicia. Hospital's Faro Tel: 289 891 100, Lagos 282 763 034 or the
Barlavento Hospital, Portimão 282 450 330
The nearest British Consulate is at
Portimão: Largo Francisco A Maurício 7-1, 8500 Portimão Tel. 282-
417800
  Know Before You Go - Travel Advice from the
Foreign & Commonwealth Office, London
We always need feedback from you
the fans.
Contact Talk2Us@365EnglandFans.com
page compiled with
assistance from
Football Supporters International
and Mark Hetherington
© copyright
www.365EnglandFans.com
|
