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Portugal : Faro - September 2010

Country Code: Dial 1 for Portugal

September is the best month to enjoy the Algarve, when the fi erce midsummer heat recedes. From Faro, get back to nature exploring the lagoons and islands of the Ria Formosa, learn to cook the Portuguese way at The Cataplana Experience and try a taste of the region at the local food markets. Paul Rouse is our city guide

Getting around

Faro International Airport

Bus: Eva Bus connects the airport with the city centre. Services run every 30 minutes from 7.05am to 9.15pm. The journey takes 20 minutes and a return ticket costs €4 while a single ticket costs €1,55.
Train: A single journey from the airport to Faro for up to four passengers costs around €15 and takes 15 minutes.
Tourist information: The main tourist office is at 8-11 Rua da Misericordia (tel. , visitportugal.com).

FARO AND THE CENTRAL ALGARVE

From classy beach bars to rustic restaurants serving great fresh fish, seafood and other local specialities, the Algarve’s busiest and most cosmopolitan region is an area of sharp contrasts.

Sleep soundly – If your kids are pre-schoolers, September could be the best time for a family holiday at the Sheraton Algarve (Praia da Falesia, Albufeira, tel. , sheratonalgarve.com, rooms from €150). With an extensive range of activities and facilities, including beach, golf, tennis, spa treatments and supervised kids’ clubs, it gives everybody the chance to relax. Its quieter sister property, Pine Cliffs Residence (suites from €250), boasts luxury apartment suites offering flexibility and freedom.

Culture vultures – Uncover the secrets of the classic Portuguese copper cooking pot cataplana at The Cataplana Experience (Vilamoura Marina, 1-5 September), a gastronomy festival featuring demonstrations, food tasting and market stalls. September is also international jazz month in the Algarve, with concerts by Jean-Luc Ponty in Silves and Archie Shepp in Albufeira (12) among others.

Must eat – The Norwegian chef at Albatroz (Dunas Douradas Beach Club, Vale do Lobo, tel. ) brings a Scandinavian slant to the menu at this family-friendly beach restaurant, including gravlax, toast skagen with prawns, and steamed salmon in butter sauce. For authentic Portuguese cuisine, Flor de Sal (Rua do Vale Formoso, Almancil, tel. ) is noted for its fresh produce and quirky service – you won’t find many places where the chef brings in clams straight from the sea, still wearing a snorkel and mask.

Must drink – There’s a new look for the ‘barefoot luxury’ of Vila Joya’s beach bar (Praia do Xiringuito, Galé), the perfect place to relax, meet friends and watch the sun go down.

Dance the night away – The smart and refined Dolce Bar (Estrada da Falesia, Vilamoura) is a new club that’s fast gaining a reputation for its stylish themed parties.

Shop til you drop – For unique gifts or classy home furnishings, browse the vast collection at interiors and antiques specialist Casa Sonho (28 Rua do Comerçio, Almancil), which offers international shipping. Or eat your way around the Algarve with gourmet food from local producers at Good Mood Food (43-44 Municipal Market, Loulé).

FURTHER AFIELD – EASTERN ALGARVE

Unspoiled Olhão is a reminder of the way life used to be around Portugal’s southern shores. Full of charm and character, discover an area that’s bound to be the next must-visit destination.

Sleep soundly – The new Real Marina Hotel & Spa (Avenida 5 de Outubro, Olhão, tel. , realhotelsgroup.com, rooms from €130) brings five-star style to the region, with a prime waterfront position, thalassotherapy spa and panoramic outdoor pool. The adjacent Real Marina Residence is also part of the new complex, offering 80 luxury apartments with fully-equipped kitchens.

Culture vultures – Explore th e wildlife, lagoons, salt marshes and outlying islands of the Ria Formosa Nature Park with a boat trip out of Olhão. For high-speed thrills there’s the motor cruisers of Natura (natura-algarve.com) or the gentler option of the solar-powered boat operated by Sunquays (sunquays.com).

Must eat – There’s great fish and seafood at O Bote (122 Avenida 5 de Outubro, Olhão, tel. ), as you’d expect from its busy waterfront location. Surf and turf comes Portuguese-style at Horta (146-148 Avenida 5 de Outubro, Olhão, tel. ), where the pork and clams combination is hard to beat.

Must drink – The pick of the town’s seafront bars, Cantaloupe (Mercado de Verdura, Olhão) attracts thirsty shoppers by day and hosts sunset concerts on Sundays.

Market – Olhão’s cavernous market (Avenida 5 de Outubro) is open six mornings a week, selling the pick of the local catch of fish and seafood in one section and fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and cheeses in the other. A cacophony of haggling, banter and good fun, you’ll certainly see the real Algarve here.

Compiled by Paul Rouse

Previous issues for Faro

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

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