Algarve Homes
For people looking for a home in the sunshine, a holiday cottage in the Algarve is a consistently popular choice. The western most country in mainland Europe and bordered by the Atlantic ocean, Portugal is known and loved for its warm and ever-sunny weather, interesting culture and history, friendly locals, fabulous cuisine and beautiful beaches. Although there are many idyllic locations for a holiday apartment in Portugal, the Algarve is a perennially popular choice with those looking for a Portuguese home away from home.
The southern coast of Portugal is full of excellent locations,
perhaps one of the most delightful being the ancient fishing village of Carvoeiro.
Situated west along the coast from Albufeira, for thousands of years the economy in Carvoeiro was based solely around catching and selling tuna. As with most of the Algarve, traditional occupations have now, at least to some extent, been replaced by the tourism industry although that is not to say that Carvoeiro has lost any of its traditional old-world Portuguese charm. In fact, many claim that Carvoeiro remains one of the most un-spoilt areas of the Algarve.
The town of Carvoeiro is small but perfectly formed, accommodating a variety of shops and pleasant little alleyways that are perfect to discover on a gentle afternoon wander. What Carvoeiro lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in its number of bars and eateries. There are numerous idyllic places in this small town to have a drink or enjoy a taste of the local cuisine, a favourite of which is 'A Boneca'. A quaint little thatched restaurant situated on the cliff and accessed by a windy stepped path, 'A Boneca' offers its guests a wonderful view over the bay whilst enjoying local delicacies.
As with the town itself, the beach at Carvoeiro is small but high quality. This beautiful sandy bay is sheltered by the cliffs around it and in addition to simply sunbathing, you can hire jet-skis or pedaloes here. Local fisherman also use their boats to run tours of the nearby sea caves. For a larger, more bustling beach with a wider choice of water sports, the notoriously beautiful beach of Praia da Rocha is just a 20 minute drive west of Carvoeiro. Here you can try everything from parasailing and motor-boating to windsurfing and snorkelling. For those really keen on the water, there is also a water park 'Slide and Splash' not very far away in Lagoa.
For those who enjoy shopping, the town of Portimão is just a 15 minute drive west and a great place to enjoy the delights of Algarve shopping. Portimão is also the proud home of a recently built harbour – a wonderful place to spend a lazy afternoon meandering in the sunshine. For something just as relaxed, a trip to the nearby town of Silves is a great idea. Accessible by train or via river cruise from Portimão, Silves has a fabulous old Moorish castle.
The nearest airport to Carvoeiro is Faro, which is 60 kilometres away. There is no direct bus or train route to Carvoeiro from Faro, so the best option is to travel is Portimão and then transfer to a bus to complete the journey to Carvoeiro. Hiring a car is a good option, as this makes arrival at Carvoerio a little quicker and allows you to more fully explore the riches of the Algarve.
