Loulé

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This city of the Algarve mainly lives from tourism and agriculture and also keeps, however, the tradition of craftsmanship. Here you will be able to find craftsmen working copper, wrought iron, pewter and brass and you can buy pieces of pottery and wicker furniture, among others. There is a large influx of tourists on Saturdays to visit the Mercado Semanal Cigano (Weekly Gypsy Market), located close to the Praça da República. Here you can buy everything from clothing and footwear to crafts. And never forget to haggle, a widely used practice, as if you were in Morocco. On an architectural level, it is worth to visit the Igreja de São Clemente, the Convento da Graça, the castle of Loulé and the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição. Visit the ruins of the castle of Salir and the Roman ruins of Cerro da Vila. The coast is Loulé's biggest attraction with its beautiful beaches, many of them with Blue Flag, and the famous Vilamoura Marina. The most famous tourist complex of this county is exactly that of Vilamoura, at Quarteira. This venture offers the best of the region: from the mild climate and natural beauty, to the golf courses and the good equipment and hoteliers. The typical gastronomy allows you to taste the famous galinha cerejada (typical chicken dish made with white wine and rice) and also the galo de cabidela (stew made with roosters' meat and blood), perna de carneiro no tacho (lamb leg braised in a typical clay recipient with potatoes), feijoada de javali (bean stew with boar meat) and, for dessert, the xerém (kind of corn porridge), cavacas (cupcake style pastry) and carrasquinhas (almond sweets). The biggest feast of the year is the famed Carnival of Loulé , which, during three days, takes place in the Avenida José de Costa Medal. The floats, the flamboyant costumes, the fireworks and the popular Batalha das Flores (Battle of the Flowers) attract hundreds of people to the streets of the city.

Where to eat in Loulé

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What to do in Loulé

Castelo de Loulé

Loulé

As so happens in several towns of the Algarve, on can see the presence of various peoples in Loulé: phoenicians, carthaginian, romans and moors, who take over the city in 715. The Christian reconquest occurs in 1249 and in 1268 the fortress is reconstructed and enlarged. Later, in the 16th century, it is rebuilt. Currently, there are still some vestiges …

Marina de Vilamoura

Loulé

A high priced marina with 1300 spaces, usually full. Reservations are essential, since it is the most sought after marina in the country. It has a wide backup complex to recreational sailing, with several reparing services and much more. The surrounding area has shops, bars, restaurants, hotels and is quite lively in the evening. Nearby there are lovely beaches and …

Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

Loulé

This park, with an area of over 18 thousand hectares, is one of the best places in the Algarve. A place of great natural beauty, it houses about fifty species of animals and another fifty of plants. It is a large natural channel that flows paralel to the sea.

Casino de Vilamoura

Loulé

The Vilamoura Casino is located in one of the major amusement centres in the Algarve. It has 350 slot machines, 20 gambling tables with baccarat, black jack and french and american roulettes. It also has a multipurpose room, the Royal room, that can be used as a conference room or as a restaurant. The Mira room, with a capacity for …

Ruínas do Castelo de Salir

Loulé

At the time when the Christians were pressing to reconquer the land, this moorish monument was part of the province's rural defenses.

Fonte Benémola

Loulé

Located in the "freguesias" (an administrative subdivision) of Querença and Tôr, the Classified Site of Fonte Benémola is an area of great beauty, where the stream of Menalva (with some natural springs) is the habitat of a flora made of …

Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Loulé

A temple built in the second half of the 17th century, with a simple exterior but much riches in its interior. It has a valuable set of tiles showing scenes of the Virgin Mary's life and a beautiful golden sculptured

Igreja Matriz de São Clemente

Loulé

A church with medieval foundations, built on the site of na ancient mosque. It is a monument of the second half of the 13th century, where one should notice the gothic ogival portico of the front, the belltower with baroque …

Igreja de São Lourenço de Almancil

Loulé

A church with a baroque architectural composition, it has, in its interior, tiles of the 1700's by Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes. This set, which represents scenes of the patron saint's life, is one of the most important in the country

Igreja da Misericórdia de Loulé

Loulé

Building of the 16th century, with a radiated manuelin portal. In front of the portico there is a crucifix of the same epoch with the images of Christ and of Our Lady. Ancient church of Nossa Senhora dos Pobres.

Convento da Graça

Loulé

All that is left of this gothic temple is the gothic portal, sided by two even columns of polished marble with chapiters with vegetal decoration. The last archivolt is furrowed with stylized flowers and there is a star with six …

Praia da Falésia - Vilamoura

Loulé

A very wide beach, popular among the tourists. There is a wide variety of water diversions, such as pedal boats, jet skis, bananas and windsurf, Ideal for those who enjoy some liveliness, namely at night, with a casino. There are …

Praia da Marina de Vilamoura

Loulé

One of the most attended beaches in the Algarve, in a place with many luxury hotels. It has a wide stretch of sand, calm waters and it is located by the marina with a complete nautical centre. In the vicinity, …

Praia da Quarteira

Loulé

Big areal divided by Spurs, very crowded in the summer, especially for national tourists. The urban area is unorganized and little appealing presentation. The beach is divided into several concessions, divided by breakwaters. There are several restaurants along the marginal …

Praia da Quinta do Lago

Loulé

This is probably the most "in" beach in the Algarve. Located by a luxury resort with the same name, ut has a wide stretch of sand, always clean, and fine quality water. It has all the necessary backup structures: parasol …

Praia de Vale do Lobo

Loulé

Quite attended in the summer, this beach is equipped with quality infrastructures. It has fine water and several nautical sports take place there. There is a luxury restaurant and a sports pavilion nearby.

Praia do Ancão

Loulé

A beach with a rather wide stretch of sand where the Ria Formosa begins. Located by a luxury tourism village, the sand is very clean, the water of good quality and there are several backup equipments. One may practise several …

Praia do Garrão Poente - Duna

Loulé

Located in the tourist complex Golden dunes, this beach has excellent conditions for the beach or for non-motorized water sports. The access is by a wooden boardwalk flanked by dunes. Next to the beach is the pond of Golden dunes …

Parque Municipal de Loulé

Loulé

A large garden, with lots of trees and lawns.

Visita à cidade de Loulé

Loulé

This nice Algarve town keeps its labirynth of small narrow streets, sided by white houses, with a special note to the towers of the old Castle. The vertical lines of the minaret that remains of of old mosque and the …

T-Clube

Loulé

The "T-Clube" is one of the most "in" night spaces in the Algarve, where the Portuguse jet set go. Its famous "Champagne Party" commemorates the summer's arrival every year.

Parque Ambiental de Vilamoura

Loulé

The "Parque Ambiental de Vilamoura" occupies an area of 200 há, property of Vilamoura, and was created in ordeer to guarantee the preservation of ecosystems of great natural and landscape value. It congregates different areas with different kinds of habitats, …

Zona Comercial da Marina de Vilamoura

Loulé

An area with great movement on weekends and during the three summer months, where several bars and restaurants can be found, as well as shops and terraces. The esplanade is mainly pedestrian and crowded by tourists and it circles the …

Rocha da Pena

Loulé

Between Benafim and Salir, right in the ravines of the Algarve, Rocha da Pena is a place with a bleak landscape in a large plateau, about 2 km wide and almost 500 metres high. Of speological interest due to th …

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Where to sleep in Loulé

Tivoli Marina Vilamoura
Tivoli Marina Vilamoura

5 star

Luxury Hotel, situated in Vilamoura marina, which has a huge variety of indicated resources for leisure, sports and business. It offers very well-equipped room…

Pestana Vila Sol Vilamoura
Pestana Vila Sol Vilamoura

5 star

Luxury resort in a 150 ha propriety, with a breathtaking landscape and notable flora and fauna riches. It is composed of 5 stars Vila Sol Hotel, with 189 rooms…

The Lake Spa Resort
The Lake Spa Resort

5 star

Luxury resort with inspirations from all over the world, scents and green spaces. Hotel with 192 rooms, nine of which are suites, all with a balcony with a pan…

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Travel Guide

Up to date tourist information about the city's top attractions

Summer: 17 Water Parks in Portugal

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