| ALVOR |
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Located 8 km west of Portimão, Alvor became an important port
during the time of the Moorish occupation. It once had its own
castle, which was destroyed by the earthquake on 1 November,
1755. Originally built by the Carthaginians in 436 AD, it was
attacked and plundered by the Christian Crusaders in 1189, at
the same time as the larger settlements of Silves and Portimão
were taken. King João II died here in 1495, after taking the
waters at the spa of Monchique in an attempt to cure his dropsy.
What to see. The village itself is a maze of cobbled streets
and a 16th-century parish church with a fine Manueline portal
featuring a round arch and abstract floral motifs. As well as
Alvor beach itself, there are some lovely golden stretches of
sand towards Portimão, most notably the small cove of Praia
dos Três Irmãos with its magnificent red cliffs. Further east
are the deserted caves and grottoes at João de Areus and the
quiet, secluded beach of Praia do Vau nearby. Nearby. The small
village of Abidaca, situated on a slope to the east of Alvor,
has traces of a Roman settlement. Further east, the bustling
fishing port of Portimão has many good restaurants and plenty
of night-life. |
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
