Albufeira - Alcantarilha - Silves - Lagos

Route: Faro - Albufeira - Alcantarilha - Silves - Lagos - Faro
Duration: 8 h
Att our tour we will visit  to once a scenic fishing village, Albufeira  which gained popularity for its sharp, red-gold sand beaches. The old town of Albufeira consists of lovely cobblestone streets with mosaic patterns.There are many shops, restaurants and bars in the old town. The area is very lively, with live music and entertainment on the streets during the summer. When you walk in streets like Rua da Igreja Velha, you will see Albufeira’s typical narrow streets and old houses. The old town center is a maze of steep, narrow streets lined with whitewashed houses and fishermen's cottages that lead down to a fabulous beach. The next stop will be at the small village of Alcantarilha. The name Alcantarilha has an Arabian origin, meaning ‘small bridge’. In the Parish Church of the village you will see a Bones Chapel (in Portuguese: Capela dos Ossos). This chapel is decorated with human skulls and bones. After photopause we will continue our tour to Silves where walking in this unique town with its cobbled streets makes you believe that time has stopped. Silves was once the capital of the Algarve and the town stands out because of its Arabic architecture. The Silves Castle is located on the highest point of a hill on which lies the village of Silves. This monumental, red-colored castle was edified by the Arabs in the 11th century and is presently one of the most well-preserved castles of the whole Algarve region. Its interior offers fantastic panoramic views over the town.  It has a deep moat and a pink sink with five meters of depth that reminds of Moorish occupation, and a statue of King Sancho I, made of bronze which represents the capture of the first fortress. On the north wall, one can see the Porta da Traição [Door of Betrayal], an escape route by which the traitors allowed their enemies to escape. The last stop of our tour will be at Lagos is a bustling town full of activity, nightlife, and modern attractions. However, it is also a town full of history and the monuments and architecture which take us back to the many different peoples who have settled here and the many maritime adventures which have started in Lagos impressive natural harbor.  At the heart of the historic district of Lagos there is an ancient fortress built in traditional local style. In the period from the 16th to the 17th century, it was the main residence of Algarve Governor.  Also you can see and discover the St. Sebastian Church, the Church of Carmo, the Church of St. Mary, the St. Anthony Church, the Gil Eanes Square,the Governors Castle and the Ponta da Bandeira Fortress. After that we will return to Faro.
Price: per person