Ruta por los tesoros de El Algarve

About the destination: Faro es más que el punto de partida; es la esencia del Algarve. Con su casco antiguo amurallado, calles empedradas y una vibrante vida nocturna, Faro te invita a descubrir el alma de Portugal. Pasea por su puerto, disfruta de sus playas doradas y saborea la gastronomía local en un ambiente que mezcla tradición y modernidad.

About the destination: Albufeira is a city in Algarve, in the south of Portugal. It is called the Gateway of the Algarve. Once a small fishing village it has now developed to be a very touristic area. Many holiday makers return year after year because of the lovely beaches, very good climate and the many restaurants, bars and pubs. The town is divided into two parts, 'The Old Town' and the 'STRIP', or newer town, including Montechoro, Arias de Sao João. The city of Albufeira maintains a historical and cultural heritage that demonstrates the spirit and strength of a population that believes in the essential power of Faith. There are various physical proofs of this way of life to confirm this like the Clock Tower and the Paris Church. Albufeira resort has gained a wide variety of recreation possibilities to offer to its visitors in terms of sport and leisure activities as well as entertainment.

About the destination: Portimão is the largest town in the western Algarve. It has been an important port since ancient times because of its location at the mouth of the river Arade. Today it is a busy provincial town and a commercial fishing port. During the summer months the quay on the town side of the river is lined with boats offering game-fishing trips and coastal and river cruises. Praca da Republica is an impressive square in the centre of Portimao. There are a number of water fountains located in and around the square and plenty of benches to sit on and watch the world go by. Along one side of the square is the imposing Church of the Colegio. The Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição dominates the city center skyline. This historic building was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake retaining an excellent Manueline style door from the original 14th century building. The interior is impressive with walls covered in glazed tiles from the 17th century. Praia da Rocha, the main beach in Portimão, is very beautiful and exotic and has an excellent beach bar. A modern and new marina is also one of the attractions on the Praia da Rocha path, full of new bars and restaurants from where to watch the rest of the world go by Summertime is clearly the busiest time of the year, reaching a climax with a popular annual event in Portimão: the sardine festival in august. The mild climate of the Algarve, and many sunny winter days attract a multinational crowd in all seasons, exploring the regional markets, visiting historical sites, strolling along the river boulevard or just sipping a drink in a terrace bar.

About the destination: Lagos is a city at the mouth of Bensafrim River and along the Atlantic Ocean, in the Barlavento region of the Algarve, and is one of the most visited cities in Algarve and Portugal. Lagos has always had a seafaring connection, originally visited by Phoenicians and Carthaginians. The famous Avenida dos Descobrimentos finish in the very modern Lagos Marina. There is a footbridge over the Bensafrim where you get a lovely view of the town. In other hand, Lagos is full of beaches, as Meia Praia is one of the largest open bays in Europe, and nice bars and restaurants.

About the destination: Belonging to the parish of Odeceixe (Aljezur) and forming part of the Vicentine Coast, the beach of Odeceixe offers tourists river and maritime beaches of excellent quality and enjoy a wild and quiet environment at the northernmost tip of the Portuguese region of the Algarve. This beach is reached from the top of a promontory from where it is possible to contemplate the entire coastal landscape. On the ocean side, the shore of the beach forms a semi-oval that forms the sand and, towards the other end, flows the Seixe River with its greenish waters that flow into the Atlantic.

About the destination: Zambujeira do Mar is a former civil parish in the municipality of Odemira, Alentejo region, Portugal. In 2013, the parish merged into the parish São Teotónio.[3] Odemira Municipality in the Portuguese. It has a population of 911 inhabitants, dispersed over an area of 40.975 square kilometres (15.821 sq mi).

About the destination: Vila Nova de Milfontes is a civil parish in the municipality of Odemira of the Portuguese Alentejo region. The population in 2011 was 5,031,[1] in an area of 76.48 km².[2]

About the destination: Porto Covo is one of the two civil parishes in the municipality of Sines, located along the western Alentejo coast of Portugal, about 170 km (110 mi) south of Lisbon. The population in 2011 was 1,038,[1] in an area of 50.72 km².Known for its beaches and ties to the ocean, the name Porto Covo likely translates as port of the covos, the term covo referring to a fishing net, used for capturing lobsters and crabs.

About the destination: Sines is a Portuguese city of Setubal district, the Alentejo region and subregion of the Alentejo coast, with about 18,298 inhabitants (2015 INE). Find the largest and the first port area of Portugal and the main city industrial port logistics in Portugal and the birthplace of Vasco da Gama.

About the destination: Comporta is a freguesia ("civil parish") and village in the municipality of Alcácer, in the old district of Setúbal, in continental Portugal, located at the base of Tróia Peninsula, along the Sado estuary. The population in 2011 was 1,268, in an area of 150.54 km². The history of this area stems from early settlement by black slaves. Its toponymy assumed to be a condescending term to refer to their well mannered natures. During the time of the Companhia das Lezírias, Comporta was a small agglomeration of 65 impoverished cabanas around a principal estate. Until 1989, Comporta was a part of the parish of Santa Maria do Castelo.

About the destination: Setubal is a bustling port city 50km away from Lisbon. It's a lively place to spend a day or two, with good city beaches, bustling shopping streets, an exciting bar and restaurant scene, and a few cultural attractions. It's a popular summer holiday resort for the Portuguese and Spanish. If we come to the Setubal peninsula we cannot leave without at least having visited the Igreja de Jesus and the Castelo de São Felipe, a formidable fortress full of legends. The Igreja de Jesus is the best known landmark of the city and is one of the first examples of Manueline architecture. There is a national park nearby, Parque Natural da Arrábida, where visitors can hike or bike and enjoy the vast greenery. But if anything, Setubal’s most notable quality is that it’s a no-nonsense working town that earns its living from something other than tourism.

About the destination: Palmela is a Portuguese villa belonging to the District of Setúbal, Lisbon region and subregion of The Peninsula of Setúbal with about 16,100 inhabitants. It is home to a municipality with 461.82 km2 of area and 62,831 inhabitants, subdivided into 5 freguesías.

About the destination: Sesimbra is a municipality of Portugal, in the Setúbal District, lying at the foothills of the Serra da Arrábida, a mountain range between Setúbal and Sesimbra. Due to its particular position at the Setúbal Bay, near the mouth of the Sado River and its natural harbour, it’s an important fishing town. Sesimbra is one of central Portugal’s best beach towns, and is a great destination for either a short stay or as a longer holiday. Sesimbra is blessed with a beautiful coastline of glorious beaches and massive cliffs, while inland is the stunning scenery of the Arrábida National Park.

About the destination: Lisbon is known as the city of seven hills due to its location, the city spreads across steep hillsides that overlook the Rio Tajo. Romantic and cosmopolitan, the city presents its typical red roofs to the visitors that want to get to know its every inch. Lisbon surprises with its natural beauty and relaxed atmosphere. The Portuguese capital offers lots of museums, libraries, a huge port, churches and palaces and stunning views of the Rio Tajo Lisbon was considered a poor and chaotic city. Currently it has experienced a resurgence in the style of the XIV and XV centuries, when it was part of that vast empire stretching from Brazil to India. The reason for this was the World Expo held in 1998, a new bridge over the Tagus was built and the network of underground of the city was remodeled. The resurgence of the city then continued to host several matches during Euro in 2004, also held there the Delivery Music Awards (MTV) in 2005. Many of its most beautiful buildings date from the XIV and XV centuries, especially the ones located in the Belem district. There are also many buildings from the XVIII century, which are located mostly in the Baixa area of central Lisbon and were reconstructed almost completely after a devastating earthquake that hit the town in 1755. The historic center of the city, standing on Las Siete Colinas, presents steep streets and picturesque alleys. On the west side of the city, there is Monsanto Forest Park, Lisbon’s lung, with an area of 10 km and one of the largest in Europe. The capital’s majestic port has 3 docks commonly used for several cruises and it is, currently, the busiest port in the European Atlantic coast. Lisbon is a city with centuries of history and with an ambitious attitude, marrying the historic with the modern, the traditional with the cutting edge. Strolling through the old quarters one can hear the traditional Fado sung and played in small restaurants in town. In the hilltop district of Bairro Alto, dozens of restaurants and bars line the narrow streets, with jazz, reggae, electronica filling the air and revelers partying until dawn. Nightclubs scattered all over town make fine use of old spaces, whether on riverside docks or tucked away in 18th-century mansions. Lisbon presents itself to the world as a cosmopolitan and lively city, with alternative for every taste, especially in the summer months when its many bars, terraces and restaurants are crammed with people.

About the destination: Sintra is a town and a municipality in the Grande Lisboa subregion (Lisbon Region) of Portugal. The municipality contains two cities: Queluz and Agualva-Cacém. Sintra is known for its many 19th-century Romantic architectural monuments, which has resulted in its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although its heritage in buildings and nature is the most visible face of the historic individuality of Sintra, a whole literary heritage has made the area a legendary reference in Portuguese culture. It has become a major tourist centre, visited by many day-trippers who travel from the centre and suburbs of the capital Lisbon. In addition to the Sintra Mountains and Sintra-Cascais Nature Park, the parishes of the town of Sintra are dotted with royal retreats, estates, castles and other buildings, including the mediaeval Castelo dos Mouros, the Pena National Palace and the Sintra National Palace.

About the destination: Estoril Coast is in the Lisbon Region of Portugal, sometimes known as Costa de Lisboa/Lisbon Coast. Estoril is a feast for the senses. The main tourist attractions in this beautiful city are the Tamariz, beach, the Cascais Fortress or the Estoril Circuit for fans of European racings. The oldest in Portugal and one of the largest of its kind in Europe, Casino of Estoril is a multi- entertainment center offering a wide variety of games as well as daily cabaret and music hall shows. Besides gambling, the casino is a regular venue for all types of temporary exhibitions, particularly modern art and sculptures. In a scenic setting overlooking Tamariz Beach, the Casino has attractive gardens with tall palm trees and fountains.

About the destination: Cascais is a small beach town in Portugal next to Estoril coast in the greater Lisbon area. Cascais, former residence of the royal family and pioneer of tourism in Portugal, is a very charming village. Dominated by the bay and the imposing Cidadela fort, the historic centre is brimming with architectural treasures of a religious, military and civil nature. Likewise, the museums of the Sea, Casa das Histórias de Paula Rego, and the Municipal Museum Condes de Castro Guimarães are also must-see attractions. Cascais is surrounded by popular beaches, such as Guincho Beach to the west, and the lush Sintra mountains to the north. Some of its shoreline is cliff-y, attracting tourists for its seascapes and other natural sights such as the Boca do Inferno. It is also becoming a popular golf destination, with over 10 golf courses nearby. Surfing, sailing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing are also popular in the region around Cascais due to favourable weather, wind, and sea conditions. In 2007, Cascais was the official host of the ISAF World Championship in sailing for dinghies and racing yachts.

About the destination: The medieval university town of Evora rises proudly from an endless plain punctuated by tough cork and olive trees. Coveted by a succession of empires, its labyrinthine streets shelter everything from Roman temple to a Renaissance palace. But above all, Evora stands as Portugal’s foremost medieval showpiece, with beautifully preserved, colourful tile facades on ancient whitewashed walls. All tucked away in a tangle of winding streets and topped off by balconies hung with potted plants and caged canaries. You won’t need long to understand why Evora is dubbed “the museum city”. From Praça do Giraldo walk down through the charming tiled houses, to the colossal 12th century Sé, the cathedral. Inside the entrance to the right are beautiful cloisters. From here you can climb the ramparts for an excellent view of the city. Next door is the Museu d’Evora, housed in an old bishop’s palace. Across the museum is Evora’s most famous monument, the 2nd century Roman Temple of Diana. Facing the temple is the church of São João Evangelista, the town’s best concealed treasure. One of Portugal’s most beautifully preserved medieval towns, Evora is an enchanting place to delve into the past. If you have time to visit only a few places in Portugal, make Evora one of them.

About the destination: The Beja District is located in southern Portugal. The district capital is the city of Beja. MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS • Ovibeja. • Ruralbeja. • Casa das Artes - Jorge Vieira Museum. • Botanic Museum. • Queen D.Leonor Regional Museum • Beja Castle • Roman Villa of Pisões • Teatro Municipal Theatre - Pax Julia • Santo Amaro Church • Bullfight Square

About the destination: Tavira is a city and municipality, situated in the east of the Algarve on the south coast of Portugal. The Gilão River meets the Atlantic Ocean in Tavira. Tavira is a beautifully elegant town and almost surreal in aspects. Visitors can be forgiven for forgetting where they are, or even what year it is, as they step into this unique Algarve fishing town. The stretch of river front along the Gilão River is a great place to sit at one of the cafes and enjoy the very picturesque setting. The Roman Bridge (Ponte Romana) spans the river with low arches and creates gentle reflections on the water and at low tide you can see the fishermen searching for clams in the shallows. The gardens (Jardim do Coreto) near the bridge offer a pleasant shady place to sit. Tavira itself is a picturesque, relaxed, peaceful town with everything to hand and is a perfect holiday spot for couples and families and there are also lots of great places to visit if you want to venture a little further afield.

About the destination: The Algarve’s capital and largest city, Faro is the starting point for many northern Europeans’ holidays in the sun. Yet tourists have not overrun Faro, it’s a large city, and its marvellous beach, floating on an islet outside the town, help the jaded forget their lot. Despite being just the arrival point for many holidaymakers, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year, it's an enticing city-break destination in its own right. Faro's Old Town is a little gem. It's small, quiet and wonderfully atmospheric. The Cidade Vella is crammed with tourists and locals visiting the handicraft markets or just wandering around looking at the old buildings, many of which show signs of the city’s Moorish ancestry. Leading into Faro’s Old Town stands the Arco da Vila, a gate originally constructed as an arched gateway with a bell tower atop and a statue of the city’s patron saint, St Thomas Aquina. In the centre there is a beautiful square, Largo da Sé that used to be the Roman Forum. It's lined with orange trees and it is flanked by Faro’s Cathedral, the Bishops Palace and a 16th Century convent that is now the Faro Museum of Archaeology. Se Catedral, Faro’s Cathedral, dominates the Old Town. The original Gothic church was built in the 13th century, but was severely damaged during an earthquake. Only the tower and a doorway remains from that era and the temple presents today elements of different styles like Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. From the tower you can enjoy panoramic views of Faro and the coastline. Faro has a beautiful marina which lies just to the north of the Old Town and is probably the busiest part of the city. The city of Faro is a busy cosmopolitan centre, offering plenty of things to do, whether it's a wander around the shops, relaxing at one of the many pavement cafés, or visiting some of the historic places of interest, this city has much to tempt you off the beach.