'Get to know the East Algarve' – an ideal Algarve Holiday Destination

East Algarve

The eastern region of the Algarve is the ideal place to look for Algarve villas to rent. The eastern Algarve region starts at Faro with its international airport and ends at Villa Real St Antonio, the border town between Portugal and Spain. Eastern Algarve is comprised of six regions namely Olhão, to the west of the eastern region, São Brás de Alportel, a little further east on the coast, Tavira, which occupies a more central position and Vila Real de Santo António, on the coastal border with Spain. Further in land and to the north are the regions of Castro Marim and Alcoutim. Each of these very different areas has something unique and exciting to offer.

Olhão

The town of Olhão, situated in the Ria Formosa national park, eastern Algarve was established back in the 17^th Century. With still very strong links to the fishing industry, it was the first to open a tuna and sardine canning factory of the sort that are now ubiquitous along the Algarve coast. Olhão is still the busiest fishing port in the Algarve and proudly displays its regular catches in its fish markets.

Outer Olhão is typical of a modern and busy working town but reach the waterfront and things are markedly different. You’ll find a delightful area full of markets and well kept gardens. Stylish cafés line the cobbled streets leading to the old 'Moorish style' town where fascinating architectures and a lively market atmosphere await. A ferry moored at the pier, island hops from here, to Armona and Culatra which offer contrastingly relaxed sunbathing on beautiful, unspoilt sandy beaches and a pleasant swim in the Atlantic

São Brás de Alportel

São Brás de Alportel made its fortune in the cork trade in the early 20^th C. It was the largest producer of cork in world at that time and was made a municipality in recognition of its economic importance. In recent times however, the centre of the cork trade has relocated to central and northern Portugal with the result that São Brás is left to rely on its local craft work and tourism.

Old São Brás is typical of the Algarve of yesteryear. Low rise white painted houses interspersed with small shops and cafes, line the maze of cobbled streets centred around the church which, like pretty much everything else in this part of the Algarve, was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755

São Brás is proud justly of its past but it does not cling to it. Further out of town and the streets widen. The cobbles give way to pavers and tarmac and modern apartment blocks stand in place of older, more traditional housing. The town has fully embraced its new life as a tourist and 2^nd home location. The older parts remain of course, for posterity and tourism’s sake but new São Brás is a place of modernity. Many shops, supermarkets, restaurants and cafés are thriving in the area, serving their new, if slightly foreign clientèle.

For the tourist and visitor São Brás de Alportel, in the foothills of the Algarve is the ideal base from which to explore the local countryside. There is plenty to do and see in the area and days at the beach and some superb golfing are just a short drive away.

Tavira

The ancient and architecturally stunning town of Tavira can be dated back 4000 years. The town was built on the fishing and later the shipping industries and still today bears the hallmarks of both these trades. The earthquake of 1755 saw the area completely rebuilt and perhaps by way of prayer that such a calamity should not befall the area again, saw the erection afterwards, of some 37 churches.

The rural areas of Tavira, on the outskirts of town are gradually changing with the times to welcome the tourist and the ex pat. Three superb golf courses, four if you count Colina Verde though that’s a little more toward Olhão, now pander to the increasing number of professional, semi professional and hobby golfers that are drawn to this part of the world. The beach in Tavira is known as Ilha de Tavira. It is a wide natural sand bar accessed via ferry from the mainland and is a very popular destination for locals, tourists and ex pats alike.

Vila Real de Santo António

Vila Real de Santo António to the east of the Algarve coast, lies at the mouth of the river Guadiana and marks the border between Portugal and Spain. The waterfront is a glorious display of gardens and colour and its busy marina is a very lively and trendy place. The town has grown from the humble beginnings of a small fishing village to now feature a wonderful selection of shops.

In 1997 a bridge spanning the River Guadiana was built to connect the city of Seville in Spain with the Algarve. This now serves as a popular crossing point and an area where the two cultures can mix freely. You can also cross the River Guadiana by ferryboat to visit the Spanish town of Ayamonte. It is a pleasant and relaxing experience, since the Guadiana never gets too rough.

Alcoutim

Alcoutim is located at the point where the River Guadiana becomes tidal, so anyone wanting to ship goods had to wait here until conditions were right. And so, a town was born and a once thriving one at that. The diminishing role however, of the river as a transport route, the distance of Alcoutim from the sea and the decline of the local mining industry led to a long period of economic stagnation.

Today visitors to Alcoutim can enjoy peaceful hours walking through the streets of this charming old town or along the river. There is a wonderful 14^th Century castle overlooking the river, built to defend the border against invasion from neighbouring hordes, this had to be adapted some 300 years later to deal with the changes in artillery warfare, as such it gives an interesting insight into changing battle practice

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