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"Alvor, A Lovely Place" a Alvor Travel Page by Balam

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Home » Europe » Portugal » Algarve » Alvor » Alvor, A Lovely Place - Alvor, Portugal

"Alvor, A Lovely Place" a Alvor Travel Page by Balam

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Real Name: Gareth Williams
Lives In: Oldham, UK
Member Since: Mar 22, 2007
VT Rank: 169

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Page Views: 2,714            Last Visit to Alvor: November, 2008      I Visit Here Frequently

Alvor, A Lovely Place

by Balam - last update: Jun 23, 2009

A Small Fishing Village

View from our Apartment
Alvor is a small fishing village which is quickly being overcome with large hotels but despite the tourism growth it has been facing, you can still watch fishermen bring in their daily catch down at the old quay but now there is also a new marina and numerous up-to-date tourist facilities.

Ria de Alvor, one of the most important humid areas of the south of Portugal, is a natural sanctuary that deserves preservation and respect. This sensitive area of Portimão it’s used by migratory birds (like the capped heron, the long-billed tern, the falcon and the white stork) as a passing-through, rest and feeding location.

Probably the Carthaginians founded Alvor and its history is interesting. It is said by some that it was really the site of "Portus Hannibalis". The Romans gave it the name Ipses and it was considered an important port and was allowed to issue its own money. Its richness is confirmed by the ruins of a rich Roman villa located slightly inland from the now village. In the time of the Moors who first occupied the place in 716, they gave it the named of "Albur" and the town passed through both the Portuguese and Moors hands several times until 1250 when the Christians conquered it for the final time. King Dom João II, who is regarded as an outstanding Portuguese king, is recorded as dying in 1495 within the town walls from a prolonged illness. Most of the original town has been destroyed in the earthquakes of 1532 and 1755.

See the full view from our Balcony
Fish Filliting

Fishing

Fishing is still alive in the village with a new fish market having been built a short walk down the promenade although the old fish market is still a place were the Old fisher men gather and some still sit and clean their catch there
you can still watch fishermen bring in their daily catch down at the old quay but now there is also a new marina and numerous up-to-date tourist facilities. The narrow streets of the old village have many attractive restaurants and, as expected in the land of fishermen, fish is the speciality dish.

Video of Alvor fishermen cleaning their catch

Restaurants

Alvor's narrow streets of the old village have many attractive restaurants from traditional village food to Indian food.

In the Picture the building at the end of the street is the old Fish Market and as expected in the land of fishermen, fish is the speciality dish.

Video of a walk down Alvors main st to the old fish Market

I have moved my Food, recipe and other general tips to my new Algarve page's
Bottom of the main st to the harbour

> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]

Pros:"Large beach nearby, lots of places to eat and drink."
Cons:"It is quite hilly."
In A Nutshell:"A Picturesque Village with friendly people"
Balam's Alvor Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 20 - Photos: 57
 
Restaurants
Tips: 23 - Photos: 81
Hotels & Accommodations
Tips: 4 - Photos: 18
 
Nightlife
Tips: 7 - Photos: 21
Off The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
Tips: 2
 
Transportation
Tips: 2
Local Customs
Tips: 2 - Photos: 2
 
Packing ListsShopping
Tips: 8 - Photos: 18
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips

Balam's Alvor Travelogues
Title [Click to view]Travel YearPictures
Alvor- 7
Pestana Alvor Park Hotel October, 2009 8

Comments for Balam about Alvor
starship Tue Nov 3, 2009 19:53 UTC
 Nice page! I guess I am naive because I had no idea other countries also celebrated Halloween! Love to spend a few weeks in a great place like this by the sea! Thanks again for the postcard!! Sylvia
Myfanwe Sat Oct 24, 2009 09:12 UTC
 Lovely new pics hun. You'll have to re-create the prawn cocktail pic when you arrive in Alvor later. Have a fantastic time... see you when you get back x
chrishere Tue Sep 1, 2009 18:28 UTC
 hello , im off to alvor in a couple of weeks, i last visited about 5 years ago, are there still live music bars?
slitty_tulip Wed May 6, 2009 17:49 UTC
 great pages on Alvor and Portugal, Thanks
See More Comments

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