Lonely Planet Pocket Algarve

,

• Publisher: Lonely Planet
• Year: 2019
• Print ISBN: 9781786573681
• eBook ISBN: 9781788687164

Lonely Planet: The world's number one travel guide publisher* Lonely Planet's Pocket Algarve is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you. Hike the cork-, pine- and gorse-covered hills of the interior; visit the natural reserve of lagoons, wetlands and sand islands at Parque Natural da Ria Formosa; and surf at the prime beaches of the west coast. All with your trusted travel companion. Get to the heart of the Algarve and begin your journey now! Inside Lonely Planet's Pocket Algarve: Full-colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sightseeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss User-friendly layout with helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time Covers: Faro, Tavira, Loule, Silves, Monchique, Lagos, Sagres, the West Coast Beaches and more The Perfect Choice: Lonely Planet's Pocket Algarve is our colourful, easy to use and handy guide that literally fits in your pocket, and is packed with the best sights and experiences for a short trip or weekend away. Looking for more extensive coverage? Check out Lonely Planet's Portugal for an in-depth guide to the country. About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, and in mobile apps, video, 14 languages, nine international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more. 'Lonely Planet guides are, quite simply, like no other.' - New York Times 'Lonely Planet. It's on everyone's bookshelves, it's in every traveller's hands. It's on mobile phones. It's on the Internet. It's everywhere, and it's telling entire generations of people how to travel the world.' - Fairfax Media (Australia) *Source: Nielsen BookScan: Australia, UK, USA, 5/2016-4/2017eBook Features: (Best viewed on tablet devices and smartphones) Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing Important Notice: The digital edition of this book may not contain all of the images found in the physi

Faro & Around

The Algarve’s capital has a more distinctly Portuguese feel than most of the region’s resort towns, with an attractive marina, pretty parks and plazas, and a picturesque cidade velha (old town) ringed by medieval walls containing winding, cobbled pedestrian streets, squares, museums, churches and al fresco cafes. On Faro’s doorstep are the lagoons of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, beaches and sandy islands.

Street in Faro | ANIAD/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

The Short List

AFaro’s Sé Climbing the tower of the cathedral crowning Faro’s old town.

AParque Natural da Ria Formosa Exploring this intricate system of lagoons and islands stretching for 60km along the coast.

AIgreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo & Capela dos Ossos Getting goosebumps in the bone chapel at Faro’s baroque church.

AMuseu Municipal Discovering art and archaeological treasures at Faro’s municipal museum.

AMilreu Ruins Time-travelling back to Roman days at the extensive ruins outside the charming village of Estói.

Getting There & Around

A Faro Airport is the region’s international gateway.

g Buses serve destinations across the Algarve.

d Trains from Faro’s train station connect to coastal Algarve destinations.

Top SightFaro’s Sé

The centrepiece of the Cidade Velha, the sé was completed in 1251 but heavily damaged in the 1755 earthquake. What you see now is a variety of Renaissance, Gothic and baroque features. Climb the tower for lovely views across the walled town and estuary islands.

GIMAS/SHUTTERSTOCK ©

map Google map

www.paroquiasedefaro.org

Largo da Sé

adult/child €3/free

h10am-6pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm Sat Jun-Sep, 10am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm Sat Oct-May

yTop Tips

AThere’s a telescope at the top of the bell tower, but make sure you have a €0.50 coin if you want to use it.

ACounterpoint a visit to the historic cathedral with a stop at contemporary art gallery Galeria Trem just 80m south.

5Take a Break

For a light meal or a drink with views, O Castelo is a good bet.

With a pretty terrace in the heart of the old town, Vila Adentro offers some modern takes on classic Algarve dishes.

Bell Tower

The cathedral’s bell tower has panoramic views over old Faro and beyond to the marina and bay, and the estuary and islands of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. You needn’t fear for your thigh muscles though: it’s only 68 steps to the top and there’s a rest stop half...

Table of contents

• Table of Contents
• Welcome to the Algarve
• Top Sights
• Beaches
• Four Perfect Days
• Need to Know
• Algarve Regions
• Faro & Around
• Tavira & Around
• Loulé & Albufeira
• Silves & Around
• Monchique & Around
• Lagos
• Sagres & Around
• West Coast Beaches
• Survival Guide
• Language
• Behind the Scenes
• Our Writer