Alvor Things to Do Tips by Balam Top 5 Page for this destination

Alcalar Megalithic Monuments

Alcalar is a group of megalithic funeral temples which were discovered in the nineteenth century but built and used over several centuries around 2500 - 3000 BC There are graves of several types, from megalithic chambers to tombs with false cupolas and side alcoves. The most impressive being the megalithic funerary temples, dolmens

There is a visitor centre that has displays depicting the daily life of the inhabitants of the Algarve during ancient times showing aspects of their life such as agriculture, the shepherding of flocks, hunting, fishing, milling, weaving, pottery making and copper working.

Entrance is e2

Open 10:00 am to 13:00 and 14:00 - 18:30 May to September
09:30 - 13:00 and 14:00 -17:00 October to April

Closed on: 1st January, 1st May and 25th December

Flowers, Plants and Animals

I always go to Alvor at the end of October, there are always beautiful flowers and lots of greenery around, i would imagine it's not quite as colourful when it's mid summer. There is always a lot of birds and animals around, it's a great place to be!

Bowling

Situated in the Torralto complex is a bowling/pool hall. It is open 14:00 to 02:00

Fishing boats

Near the old fish market and along the front to the new fishing huts there are many boats pulled up onto the sand or anchored just off shore. They are all very colourful and a great photo opportunity.

Address: Along the water front

Boat Trips

If you have the time you should really go on a boat trip, if you don't have the time then it is certyainly worth making time.
W went on a boat up the River Arade to Silves and back with Alvor Boat trips.
They have a small stand on the front at Alvor advertising different boat trips from hour long cruises up the river to full days fishing or swimming. Just tell them what you want to do and they will make it happen for you.

They picked us up from our Hotel and took us to Portimao's marina at Pria de Roche where we boarded their solar powered boat. It was comfortable and refreshments were included in the price. We could have paid extra and had dinner on the way back if we had wanted.
We only stayed for an hour in Silves (which was all we wanted) just long enough for me to go up to the castle and have a drink before buying some chestnuts and returning to the boat.

I would love to go on another boat trip and will certainly be doing it with Alvor Boat Trips as they provided a good and very friendly service (and the carrot cake was lovely)

Fishing trips include equipment and refreshments, snorkel eqipment is supplied for the swim and snorkel trips.

Directions: Look for their stand on the front at Alvor

Other Contact: info@alvorboattrips.com

Phone: 00351 966807621

Website: http://www.alvorboattrips.com

Alvors side Streets

You can see a lot of interesrting things as well as some lovely old buildings just by having a walk around the towns streets off the main ones.

Alianca Square and the Chapel

When walking around Alvor you will notice the small Chapel in the Town Square at the very heart of Alvor, or after visiting the main Church walked back up the road and through the small square and seen the Chapel on the right next to the Alianca Cafe were all the Locals sit outside and have maybe wondered into the Chapel thinking it's a church as we did to find a Dead Body laying at rest.
The Chapel is in fact a Chapel of rest and it gives the people of the village a chance to say their goodbye's to friends and loved ones. The chapel door is left open when the Chapel is in use.

Address: Alianca Square

Silvia-Health and beauty centre.

Silvia Goncalves
Esteticista

Silvia offers a wide range of services including Face treatment, Neck Treatment, Make Up, Pigmentation, Eyebrow/Eyelash

Relaxing Massage, Aromatherapy Massage, Lymphatic Draining Massage, Reflexotherapy Massage, Therapeutic Massage, Reiki

Cellulitic Treatment, Breast Treatment, Pedicure, Manicure, Epilation.

My Mum has being going to see Silvia every time she is in Alvor (for at least 11 years)
and says that she is very talented and very skilled. She combines all her talents into her sessions and my mum comes away feeling relaxed and with out the aches and pains she went in with.
Silvia can tell just by touching your feet that you have had pain's in your hands or somewhere else.
She is truly Amazing.

Address: Entre a Torre "A"e a Torre "B". Loja 1 - Torralta

Directions: In The complex between The Pestana Atlantic and Dom Joao II

Other Contact: silvia_goncalves.3@hotmail.com

Phone: 939001170 or 936274051

Watching the Fishermen

I just love to sit and watch the world go by but if on holiday in a fishing village i love to watch fishermen. I don't know what it is, weather it's tending their nets, sorting out the catch or just painting the boat it's just so interesting. In Alvor most of the Fishermen are down at the new fisherman's huts and market but you can still see the old men cleaning and filleting their catch near the old fish market.

See the video of an old fisherman cutting the fins of his catch

Two fishermen cleaning their catch (Video)

Alvor Beach

Alvor beach is a lovely long stretch of sand great for sunbathing and swimming with many beach bar/restaurant's, what not many people know is that if when you get to the beach you turn left and keep walking you get to what is surely the best part of Alvor beach. large rock formations stand proud offering some great views and fantastic places to explore. a cliff top bar with a lift up to the top of the cliffs will allow you to walk back on the road. Not exactly off the beaten track as the hotel Alvor Praia goes near enough down to this part of the beach and there is a holiday village at the top of the cliffs but it is never that busy and relatively unknown by people staying in Alvor town.

Watch the Video here

Directions: Hit the beach and turn left to the best bit