Custom Search

Choice: Bookmark this site.

Tip: Click on the Algarve text above to hide this side menu or the Algarve text to show this side menu.

Tip: Double click anywhere on the page (except when over links) to return to the top of the page.

Choice: Resize the main text using these buttons.
Larger Text size  Smaller Text size

Tip: Widescreen users can change the browser size to suit this website.
      800 x 600
 1024 x 760 ( best )
     1280 x 1024

Choice: 

Tip: For these tips in more detail click on the icon at the top right of any page.


Miscellaneous Algarve Information

Close HelpGeneral Page Help
Most of the  presentation enhancements on this site are managed by javascript. Whilst it isn't essential to enable javascript in order to view the site, it will ( I think ) greatly improve your viewing experience, e.g. image borders, collapsing menus etc.
Any controls referred to below are accessible from the left column ( below the menu ) providing the column is visible ( see first item below ).
  • Showing / Hiding the Main Menu
    Click on the 'Algarve' text ( in red ) to hide the ( Side ) Main Menu
    Click on the 'Algarve' text ( in blue ) to reveal the ( Side ) Main Menu 
  • Navigation:
    Double Mouse Click anywhere on the page ( except when over the menus or other links ) to return to the top of the page.
  • Links:
    Links to other pages are shown in blue capitals
    Where there is a Google Map on the page the location of the topic can be found by clicking the coloured marker ( balloon ) to the right of the information.
  • Managing Links
    Check the box in the left hand column if you would like all links ( external to this site ) to be opened in a new window ( Default=checked ). Clear the check box and any link selected will replace this page. This option will continue to function on any subsequent page opened unless you un-check the box on any of the pages.
  • Photographs:
    Click on any thumbnail sized photographs for larger images.
    Some of the larger images may be expanded even further, look for the icon at the top, left corner of the expanded image.)
    Click anywhere on the larger image to close it and return to the thumbnail view / page.
  • Browser Window Size:
    This Site is best viewed at a browser window size of 1024 x 768 ( i.e., not really suited to widescreen displays )
    If you wish you can resize THIS browser window to one of the following sizes using the controls in left column: 800 x 600 ( surely not ) or 1024 x 760 or 1280 x 1024 which will maintain the 'standard page' layout on a widescreen display. Please note this is a very temperamental control and may not always function correctly.
  • Text Sizing:
    You can adjust the size of the main body of text here by using the Larger Text or Smaller Text buttons where shown on the page. Any changes are not permanent and do not carry forward to subsequent pages viewed.
  • Search the Site
    Use the link in the left column to perform a Google Search for any word / topic on this site.
  • Bookmark the Site
    Use the link in the left column to save a bookmark for this site in your favourites.

Click for Faro, Portugal Forecast
Faro
Click for Sagres, Portugal Forecast
Sagres

A collection of miscellaneous information for the Algarve, a lot of which can be found in many of places on the web but I've gathered them here here to save you looking. Just recently added ( 04/08 ) is a news headline feed from the Resident, the Algarve's weekly English newspaper and quick real-time Sterling / Euro currency converter.
With regard to the Average Temperatures for the Algarve,  bear in mind from East to West temperatures can be quite different especially the sea temperatures as you get toward the Atlantic coast (Sagres and North). See the two live feed temperatures to the right for a comparison of current Faro vs. Sagres temperature ranges.
TravelshoutTake a look at Travelshout's Live Chat facility I've just added. Located in the left column, just below the menu. A new and clever idea for chatting and swopping information with fellow travellers in real-time. It is still early days and it is still being 'tweaked' but I hope when tidied up this will catch on as more people join the channels. Click on the 'join now' to get your own login and join in the chat.


Daylight Saving TimeDaylight Saving TimeDaylight Saving Time

The EU's version of Daylight Saving Time runs from 03:00 on the last Sunday in March (when the clocks go forward by an hour) through to 03:00 on the last Sunday in October (when they go back by an hour).
For 2008 clocks go forward by one hour on the night of 29-30 March.
They go back again on the night of 25-26 October.

Algarve TemperaturesAlgarve Temperatures

Algarve Temperatures

RainfallRainfallAverage Rainfall in Algarve ( Millimetres )

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jly Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
70 70 35 31 25 5 1 1 5 51 55 65

Air TemperatureAir TemperatureAverage Air Temperature oC

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jly Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
15 16 18 20 22 25 29 30 26 22 19 15

TemperatureTemperatureAverage Sea Temperature oC

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jly Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
14 14 16 16 17 19 20 21 21 19 17 15
Weather Conversion Chart: 25.4mm=1 inch - ºF= (1.8 x ºC ) + 32

National HolidaysNational Holidays 2007/8National Holidays 2008

1st January New Year’s Day 15th August Assumption
5th February Mardi Gras 5th October Republic Day
21st April Good Friday 1st November All Saint’s Day
23rd April Easter Day 1st December Restoration of Independence
25th April Independence Day 8th December Immaculate Conception
1st May May Day 25th December Christmas Day
10th June Portugal National Day    

Festival DatesFestival DatesFestivals

May 1 There is a lively 'feast' and open air market in the picturesque village of Alte.
May-June The Algarve music festival with concerts held in churches and theatres in Lagos, Faro and Portimao.
June Silves is the home of the June beer festival, a chance to sample all the types of beer produced in Portugal to the accompaniment of folk dancing groups and  various musicians.
July-August Summer festival in Silves where you will find music, ballet and theatre in the ancient capital town. The ideal time to eat sardines, most villages and towns hold their annual sardine festival. The most famous is Portimao where sardines are grilled on open fires along the quayside, accompanied by folk dancing and music.
September National Folklore Festival. Traditional dances, music and songs in venues throughout the Algarve.

Useful PhrasesUseful PhrasesA few useful Phrases

Ola Hello Adeus Goodbye
Bom dia Good Morning / day Ate logo See you later
Boa Tarde Good Afternoon Obrigado (a) Thank you
Boa Noite Good Evening / Night Por Favor Please
Com licença / Desculpe Excuse me Cuidado Take Care
Quanto / Quantos? How much / many? Quem? Why?
Quanto? How? Como? Who?
Enjoy the meal! Bom apetite! Quê? When?
Boa viagem! Have a safe journey! Onde? Where?
Desejo-lhe umas boas férias! Have a good holiday! Qual? / Quais? What?
Sim Yes Não No

Market DaysMarket Days Algarve Regional Market Days

These are not the permanent municipal markets as in Lagos, Albufeira, Faro. These markets move around and are set up just for the day. Those nearest to Luz are marked with an *.
E.g. 1st Monday in the month there are markets in Portimao & S.Marcos.
Monday 1st Portimao, S.Marcos
  2nd Algoz*
  3rd Silves*, Aljezur, Tavira
  4th Messines
Tuesday 1st Albufeira
  2nd Alvor*
  3rd Albufeira
  4th none
Wednesday 1st Alte( St Margarida), Quarteira
  2nd Qurteira
  3rd Qurteira
  4th Qurteira
Thursday 1st Armacao, Fuzeta, Vila do Bispo*
  2nd Vaqueiros
  3rd Alte, Armacao
  4th Boliqueime
Friday 1st Sagres
  2nd Monchique, Moncarapacho
  3rd none
  4th none
Saturday 1st Lagos*, Loule, S. Bras, Bensafim
  2nd Loule, Rogil, S.Bras
  3rd Loule, S.Bras
  4th Loule, S.Bras
Sunday 1st Almacil
  2nd Estoi, Lagoa*  (except July and August)
  3rd Vila Nova de Cacela
  4th Almacil, Santa Catarina

Tourist Information Offices

Normally Open 7 days a week, 09.30 - 12.30 / 14.00 - 17.30
Albufeira
Rua 5 de Outubro +351 (289) 585 279
Monte Gordo
Avenida Marginal - +351 (281) 544 495
Alcoutim
Praça de República - +351 (289) 546 179
Ponte Int. Do Guadiana
Monte Francisco - +351 (281) 531 800
Aljezur
Largo do Mercado - +351 (282) 998 229
Olhão
Largo do Lago - +351 (289) 713 936
Alvor
Rua Dr. Afonso Costa 51 - +351 (282) 457 540
Portimão
Commercial Harbour and
across football stadium - +351 (282) 416 556
Armação de Pêra
Avenida Marginal - +351 (282) 312 145
Praia da Rocha
Av. Tomás Cabreira - +351 (282) 419 132
Carvoeiro
Largo da Praia - +351 (282) 357 728
Quarteira
Av.Infante Sagres - +351 (289) 389 209
Castro Marim
Praça 1º do Maio - +351 (281) 531 232
Sagres
Rua Comandante Matoso - +351 (282) 624 873
Faro (Head Office)
Av.da República - +351 (289) 800 400
Rua da Misericórdia - +351 (289) 803 604
Airport - +351 (289) 818 582
São Bras de Alportel
Rua Dr. Evaristo Gago - +351 (289) 843 165
Lagos
Rua Vasco da Gama - +351 (282) 763 031
Silves
Rua 25 de Abril - +351 (282) 442 255
Loulé
Edificio de Castelo - +351 (289) 463 900
Tavira
Praça da República - +351 (281) 322 511
Monchique
Largo dos Chorões - +351 (282) 911 189
 

Municipalities

ABFAlbufeira MCQMonchique
ACTAlcoutim OLHOlhão
AJZAljezur PTMPortimão
CTMCastro Marim SBASão Brás de Alportel
FARFaro SLVSilves
LGALagoa (Algarve) TVRTavira
LGSLagos VBPVila do Bispo
LLELoulé VRSVila Real de Santo António

Fire Brigade

Police

  • Albufeira - +351 (289) 513 333
  • Alcoutim - +351 (281) 546 269
  • Aljezur - +351 (282) 998 258
  •  
  •  
  • Faro - +351 (289) 822 122 / 823 630
  • Lagoa - +351 (282) 352 888
  • Lagos - +351 (282) 760 115
  • Loulé - +351 (289) 416 702
  • Monchique - +351 (282) 992 115
  • Olhão - +351 (289) 701 108
  • Portimão - +351 (282) 422 122
  • Silves - +351 (282) 442 411
  • Tavira - +351 (281) 322 122
  • Vila do Bispo- +351 (282) 636 628
  • Vila Real do Santo António- +351 (281) 543 202
  • Albufeira - +351 (289) 587 224
  • Alcoutim - +351 (281) 546 208
  • Aljezur - +351 (282) 998 130
  • Almancil - +351 (289) 393 200
  • Carvoeiro - +351 (282) 356 440
  • Faro - +351 (289) 801 828
  • Lagoa - +351 (282) 352 310
  • Lagos - +351 (282) 762 809
  • Loulé - +351 (289) 462 782
  • Monchique - +351 (282) 992 628
  • Olhão - +351 (289) 703 089
  • Portimão - +351 (282) 417 217
  • Silves - +351 (282) 442 414
  • Tavira - +351 (281) 325 704
  • Vila do Bispo- +351 (282) 639 112
  • Vilamoura - +351 (289) 313 040
  • Vila Real do Santo António- +351 (281) 544 355