Make sure you hire a car and get exploring.
In and Around Alvor
The town itself is typical of the region with a fantastic beach set against the traditional whitewashed houses with terracotta tiled roofs. Make sure you stroll along the boardwalk and take in the relaxed seaside atmosphere.
Don’t spend all your time on the beach though as there are some charismatic old streets that deserve a look. There are boutique shops and family run restaurants that serve delicious local fare. You can also discover some of the historic churches that are present in the town.
Don’t pass up the chance to visit Alvor’s castle or church, which are both steeped in history and full of interesting features.
One particularly popular pastime when in Alvor is to take a relaxing boat trip up the River Arade to the interesting and historic town of Silves. Here you can explore what this pleasant town has to offer before returning to Alvor at sunset.
Exploring the Algarve
Make use of your hire car and explore the local area. Take a short drive to Abicada where you will find the ruins of a Neolithic village, which makes for a great excursion. The ruins reportedly date back to somewhere between the 1st and the 4th Century but the history surrounding the settlement is relatively unknown.
If you are planning to play golf during your time here, there are a variety of top quality courses on offer. The Oceânico O'Connor Jnr Course and Vale da Pinta & Gramacho are particularly popular.
If you drive north of Alvor, you will come to the town of Monchique in under 45 minutes. This beautiful town is set amongst lush green rolling hills and can be a welcome change from the common sight of perfect beaches. It is the perfect day trip if you like walking or mountain biking, as there are some fantastic trails in the surrounding countryside. Monchique is dotted with brilliant craft shops and relaxed cafés which fit in seamlessly with its laidback atmosphere.
