alvor

From Praia da Rocha, the clifftops and the beachfront road run westward to Praia do Vau. The cliffs peter out and the road curls inland, eventually emerging at the river-mouth village of ALVOR. The village and the area around it are in a confused state of transition.

At the heart of it all is the old village with its narrow streets running down to the water's edge where the fishing boats are moored. In recent years it has been enveloped by several highly-rated hotels, luxurious as well as some lesser complexes, and a great many holiday apartment blocks. In amongst the suburbia is the Alto Golf's 18-hole course, the last to be designed by the legendary English golfer, Sir Henry Cotton. His first course in the Algarve was the championship course of the venerable Penina Hotel not far from Alvor on the EN125.

D. João II, the so-called "Perfect Prince" who went on to rule as one of Portugal's greatest kings, died in Alvor of dropsy in 1495 shortly after Columbus' discovery of the New World and shortly before Vasco da Gama's momentous voyage from Portugal to India. Virtually nothing remains of the castle, but the main doorway of the parish church is a fine example of Manueline architecture, a Gothic style named after João's successor, King Manuel I.

Alvor is located on the eastern side of Lagos Bay, and although you can see the beach sweeping all the way round to the town of Lagos itself, it is interrupted by the Alvor river estuary. To proceed westward, you need to return to the main EN125 road.

Alvor is a small fishing village that has recently grown into a major tourist center. You can still watch the fishermen bring in their catch daily down at the old quay but now there is also a new marina and numerous up-to-date tourist facilities.

The beach of Alvor Praia is one of the longest and flattest in the region and it has lovely soft sand and a dozen beach bar and restaurants.

Alvor town boasts many good restaurants and bars, both Portuguese and International. There´s a disco, good golf courses, tennis and lawn bowling centres and in Torralta tenpin bowling alley. The heady nightlife of Praia da Rocha and the excellent shopping in Portimão are a short bus ride or taxi cab away. Alvor offers the charm of old Portugal along with fine beaches, good shopping ans smattering of foreign bars and restaurants.

A special point of interest in alvor is the 16 th century Manueline parish church wich features a huge image of the Crucifixion.

The Alvor market is held on the second Tuesday of every month.