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Central Algarve includes the following districts:
Albufeira : Loulé : Faro
- About the Central Algarve
- Towns & Villages in the Central Algarve
- Golf in the Central Algarve
- Local Business Directory for the Central Algarve
The Algarve has an excellent and enviable climate – reputed to be one of the best and healthiest in Europe – so it is no surprise that this is one of Europe’s best-loved destinations.
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Average values
for the whole of the Algarve
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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max day temperature °C
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12
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16
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18
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19
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22
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25
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29
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29
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27
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23
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19
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16
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min night temperature ° C
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7
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8
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9
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10
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12
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15
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18
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18
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17
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14
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11
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8
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daily hours of sunshine
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5
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6
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7
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8
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10
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11
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12
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11
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9
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7
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6
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5
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daily hours of daylight
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10
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11
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12
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13
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14
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15
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14
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14
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12
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11
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10
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10
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sea temperature
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16
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15
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16
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16
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17
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19
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20
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21
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21
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20
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18
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17
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The heart of the Algarve, the Central Algarve is a perfect holiday destination and a Mecca for those seeking sun, sand and sea. It provides something for everyone and every effort is made to keep holidaymakers entertained. There are attractions throughout the region – with the larger fun parks and theme parks (eg “Zoomarine," "The Big One" and "Slide and Splash") generally sited close to the main arterial roads (A22 and N125).
The region offers a vast choice of sporting facilities including water sports, tennis, horse riding, yachting and, of course, some of the best European golf courses.
The Central Algarve’s coastline is characterised by reddish/brown sandstone cliffs that lead down to long beaches of golden sand and rocky outcrops. The vast choice of beautiful beaches and coves means that beach-goers can find a private and peaceful place to relax even in the height of the summer season.
Inland, north of the arterial roads, tiny farming villages and hamlets are scattered in the peaceful rolling countryside.
- Albufeira
- Almancil
- Alte
- Faro
- Galé
- Guia
- Loulé
- Olhos de Agua
- Quarteira
- Quinta do Lago
- Sao Rafael
- Vale do Lobo
- Vilamoura
Albufeira is a popular, lively and cosmopolitan resort particularly popular with the young and families. Originally a fishing village perched above the beach, Albufeira is now a major holiday resort. In the old village, the quaint narrow streets are lined with whitewashed houses giving it a very traditional atmosphere. In contrast, modern holiday developments stretch across the adjoining hillside. Tunnel access through the large rocky outcrop leads to the excellent sandy beach which is still peppered with brightly painted fishing boats. Other beaches run either side of the town including: Praia da Balaia; Praia do Castelo; Praia da Falésia; Praia da Galé; Olhos d’Água, Maria Luisa, and Praia de São Rafael.
Facilities include:
- Good selection of shops
- Daily market
- Market - 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month
- Supermarkets
- Post Office
- Banks
- Cafés
- Restaurants - with traditional and international cuisine
- Bars
- Discos
- Schools
- Museums
- Marina
- Railway Station
- Golf
Approximate Driving Time to Airports
- Lisbon – 2 hours 30 minutes
- Faro – 30 minutes
- Porto – 6 hours
Set about 5 kms from the coast and 12 kms northwest of Faro, Almancil is the nearest town to the resorts of Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo and Quateira. This vibrant town is well-known for its ceramic tiles and pottery.
Facilities include:
- A good selection of restaurants offering many different types of cuisine
- Shopping
- Banks
- Market - 1st & 4th Sunday of the month
- Golf
Approximate Driving Times to Airports:
- Lisbon - 2 hours 30 minutes
- Faro - 15 minutes
- Porto - 5 hours 30 minutes
It seem as though time has stood still in Alte - possibly one of the most picturesque villages in Central Algarve. Set in lovely countryside with pretty views, the village has a 16th century church, natural springs and some great places to picnic near by.
Facilities include:
- Shops
- Bars
- Cafés
- Restaurants
- Market - 3rd Thursday of the month
Approximate Driving Time to Airports:
- Faro - 40 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours 15 minutes
- Porto - 4 hours 50 minutes
It is a real pity that most holiday makers by-pass Faro as this is a vibrant port town with excellent shopping, a pretty harbour and waterfront, and a sandy beach. The old town centre has a relaxed atmosphere with its pedestrianised areas, cobbled streets and a great selection of restaurants, bars and cafés.
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Bars
- Good shopping
- Harbour
Approximate Driving Time to Airports:
- Faro - 10 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours 30 minutes
- Porto - 5 hours 10 minutes
Set to the west of Albufeira, Galé is a popular venue for both holiday makers and homeowners. Away from the hustle and bustle of Albufeira, its beach meets the beach at Salgados, continues past the golf course and on to Armaçao de Pera – making is easy to find a quiet, private place to sunbathing.
Facilities include:
- Shops
- Bars
- Cafés
- Restaurants
Approximate Driving Time to Airports:
- Faro - 40 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours 20 minutes
- Porto - 5 hours
Set inland from Galé, Guia is perhaps one of the Algarve's best known villages with an excellent shopping centre. It is the home of ‘Chicken piri piri’ and each of the restaurants carefully guards it own secret recipe.
Facilities include:
- Shopping centre
- Bars
- Cafés
- Restaurants
- Market - 3rd Friday of the month
Approximate Driving Time to Airports:
- Faro - 30 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours 15 minutes
- Porto - 4 hours 50 minutes
Situated 18 kms (11 miles) north east of Faro, Loulé is often described as a town of charming contrasts: from the battlements of its medieval castle; through the maze of narrow white streets filled with craftsmen carrying on age-old traditions with brass, copper and clay; on to the minarets of an ancient mosque; and up to the hilltop to see the wonderful views. Its Saturday morning market is famous for fresh produce, leather and textiles. And the "Garden of the Sulky Ones" is a good place for some time out! Carnival here is a 5-day event (held before Lent) with street dancing, floats, flowers and fancy dress.
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Banks
- Supermarkets
- Market - every Saturday
- Railway Station
Approximate Driving time to Airports
- Lisbon – 2 hours 15 minutes
- Faro – 30 minutes
- Porto – 5 hours 30 minutes
Close to Albufeira, the quaint fishing village of Olhos de Água is set against a backdrop of cliffs and pine trees. An ideal place to spend relaxing days in the sun, there are small coved beaches and the beautiful golden sandy beach at Falésia is not far away.
Facilities include:
- shops
- bars
- cafés
- restaurants
Approximate Driving Times to Airports:
- Faro - 40 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours, 20 minutes
- Porto - 5 hours
Originally a small fishing village, Quarteira has grown into a holiday resort. On the sea front there is a pedestrian promenade with small shops, open-air cafés, bars and restaurants which front onto a soft sandy beach – this is an ideal place to enjoy one of the Algarvean’ favourite pastimes - people watching! In the Old Town, there is a daily fish and live produce market and on Wednesdays, there is a fascinating Gypsy market.
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Bars
- Shops
- Banks
- Daily Market
- Weekly market held on Wednesdays
Approximate Driving Time to Airports:
- Lisbon - 2 hours 30 minutes
- Faro - 15 minutes
- Porto - 5 hours 30 minutes
Quinta do Lago is located km west of Faro and is considered one of the most exclusive of the Algarve’s sports resorts. Set in about 1,700 acres of pine woods, this luxury holiday village boasts top-class golf courses interspersed with luxury villas and a sports complex set amongst rolling grassland, waterways and pine forests. The eastern area is part of the Ria Formosa nature reserve which stretches east to the Spanish border. This offers a wide range of wildlife and natural/unspoilt countryside and is internationally renowned for its bird life.
Facilities include:
- Shopping:
- a range of designer boutiques
- interior decor shops
- Chinese and Italian Restaurants
- an English pub!
- Golf Courses
- Equestrian centre
- Tennis centre
- Windsurfing school
- Sailing
- Water sports
Approximate Driving Time to Airports:
- Lisbon - 2 hours 30 minutes
- Faro - 15 minutes
- Porto - 5 hours 30 minutes
To the west of Albufeira, the small resort of Sao Rafael is particularly known for its beautiful beaches and good selection of bars and restaurants.
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Shops
Approximate Driving Times to Airports:
- Faro - 45 minutes
- Lisbon - 2 hours 25 minutes
- Porto - 5 hours
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12 km west of Faro, Vale do Lobo is Portugal's biggest luxury golf and beach resort, set in low-lying hills between Quarteira and Quinta do Lago. This, Golf, beach and Spa resort.is famous for its 18 hole, par 72 Golf Course. Vale do Lobo has won several awards for its services, sporting facilities and environmental awareness. It is next to two national parks – areas of outstanding natural beauty: the pine forests in the Ria Formosa nature reserve; and the 5 km long golden sandy beach and majestic red sandstone cliffs at Praia de Vale do Lobo.
Facilities include:
- Golf
- Spa
- Beach
- Sporting Facilities
- National Parks
- Restaurants
- Bars
- Cafés
Approximate Driving Times to Airports:
- Lisbon - 2 hours 30 minutes
- Faro - 20 minutes
- Porto - 5 hours 30 minutes
Vilamoura is the name given to an area rather than to an actual town. It is one of the largest single tourist resorts in Europe covering some 2,000 hectares. The land ranges from pine forest to open marshland, and the southern border is formed by a long sandy beach. The company that owns this complex is extremely environmentally conscious and continues to make every effort to protect the natural environment within its continued planned development. In the heart of the resort a Roman site has been preserved with a Museum providing an interesting glimpse into the area’s history. Visitors are able to enjoy nearly every form of sport and entertainment – making this a very successful holiday destination.
Facilities include:
- Restaurants
- Cafés
- Banks
- Supermarkets
- Railway Station
- Marina
- 6 golf courses
- Lawn Bowling Club
- Tennis Centre
- Sports Club
- Shooting Club
- Night Clubs
- Casino with International acts
- Cinema
- Riding School
Approximate Driving time to Airports
- Lisbon – 2 hours 15 minutes
- Faro – 15 minutes
- Porto – 5 hours 30 minutes
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Golf Course
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Location
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Balaia Golf Village
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Albufeira
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Vale do Lobo
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Oceânico Laguna
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Vilamoura
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Oceânico Millennium
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Vilamoura
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Oceânico Old Course
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Vilamoura
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Oceânico Pinhal
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Vilamoura
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Oceânico Victoria
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Vilamoura
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Pine Cliffs
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Albufeira
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Pinheiros Altos
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Almancil
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Quinta do Lago
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Vale do Lobo
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Albufeira
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San Lorenzo
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Almancil
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Vilamoura
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some images courtesy of Vitor Oliveira