ALGARVE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

The Algarve is a well-known tourist destination and is a very up and coming investment region as the capital growth is rising.

Many people from the UK and other Northern European countries are now moving permanently to the Algarve due to its all year round warm temperatures, stunning coastline and views, golf courses and facilities such as International schools and shops. There is truly something for everyone.

The coastal towns are very lively with lots of atmosphere and beautiful beaches, and then just a few kilometers inland you can find some quiet Portuguese villages full of character.

Below you will find some important information that you may need, whether you are looking to buy a property or have already bought your dream home on the Algarve

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Medical Service (Ambulância) - Tel: 112
National Police (Polícia) - Tel: 115

PSP (Local Police) :

Lagos - Tel: 00351 282 762 930
Faro - Tel: 00351 289 822 022
Olhão - Tel: 00351 289 702 144
Portimão - Tel: 00351 282 417 510
Tavira - Tel: 00351 281 322 022

National Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana,GNR) - Tel 00351  213 217 000
Security Police (Policia de Segurança Pública de Faro, PSP) - Tel: 00351 289 899 899

Fire Service (Bombeiros)  - Tel: 117

Local Fire Services:

Albufeira - Tel: + 351 289 586 333
Olhão -  Tel:  + 351 289 710 000
Faro -  Tel: + 351 289 888 002  / Tel: 289 888 000
Lagos - Tel: + 351 282 770 790
Loule - Tel: + 351 289 416 704
Silves - Tel: + 351 282 442 411
Portimaõ - Tel: + 351 282 420 130
Tourist Police Albufeira - Tel: + 351 289 513 203
Tourist Police Vilamoura - Tel: + 351 289 388 989

ALGARVE HOSPITALS

Hospital Distrital de Faro - Tel: + 351 289 891 100

Centro Hospitalar do Barlavento Algarvio, Portimão -
Tel: + 351 282 450 300  / Tel: + 351 282 450 330

Hospital de Lagos - Tel:  +351 282 770 100

FARO AIRPORT INFORMATION

The main international airport on the Algarve is Faro Airport. It has many flights to and from most major airports in the UK.

Faro Airport is located 4KM outside Faro, which is the capital of the Algarve.

Portuguese Airport Information (24/7) - Tel: + 351 218 413 700

Faro Airport (FAO) Information - Tel: + 351 289 800 800

General Information - Tel: +351 289 800 617

Faro Airport online in English

Website

Airport Taxi: Located in Arrivals - Tel: + 351 289 827 203

ALGARVE TAXIS

For Portimão, Alvor, Praia da Rocha, Ferragudo and Carvoeiro:

Taxi Arade - Tel: + 351 282 460610 /  + 351 282 460612
Rocha T taxis - Tel: +351 282 411975

For Faro, Vilamoura, Quinta de Lago, Vale de Lobo, Loulé, Quarteira:

Taxis de Faro - Tel: +351 289 895790
Taxis Antral de Faro - + 351 289 827203 / + 351 289 806898
Taxis de Almancil - Tel: + 351 289 393 333 / + 351 289 399 998

For Albufeira, Galé, Guia, Armaão de Pêra:

Taxis Radio de Albuferia - +351  289 583 239
Taxi Albucoop - + 351 289 586508
Taxis Beira Mar Armação de Pêra - + 351 282 314515

For Lagos, Praia de Luz:

Taxis Coop Lagos - + 351 282 583230
Taxis Gil Eanes - + 351 282 764481

For Vila Real Santa António:

Taxi V. R. St. António - Tel: +351 281 544 444

NATIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

New Year's Day - 1st January

Liberty Day - 25th April

Labour Day - 1st May
Portugal Day     - 10th June
Assumption - 15th August
Republic Day - 5th October
All Saint's Day - 1st November
Veteran's Day - 11th November
Independence Day - 1st December
Immaculate Conception - 8th December
Christmas - 25th-26th December

The Portuguese do celebrate other holidays throughout the year such as various carnivals, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Corpus Christi, but these holidays do not have fixed dates.

GOLF COURSES

The Algarve is a magnet for golfers year after year, they come from all over the world to taste the world-class courses the Algarve offers. Each course is immaculate and they all offer different levels of difficulty. The weather on the Algarve allows golfers to play all year round.

Here is a list of all the golf courses along the Algarve:

• Alto Golf
• Álamos
• Boavista
• Faldo
• Gramacho
• Morgado
• O'Connor
• Palmares
• Parque da Floresta
• Penina
• Pinta
• Silves
• Vale de Milho
• Balaia
• Laguna
• Millennium
• Ocean
• Pine Cliffs
• Pinhal
• Pinheiros Altos
• Quinta do Lago North
• Quinta do Lago South
• Royal
• Salgados
• San Lorenzo
• The Old Course
• Victoria
• Vila Sol
• Benamor
• Castro Marim
• Colina Verde
• Monte Rei
• Quinta da Ria
• Quinta de Cima
• Quinta do Vale

ALGARVE BEACHES

The Algarve offers some of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the world, most have the famous deep orange coloured sand and wonderful natural cliffs and backdrops. Most offer good facilities such as beach bars, water sports, diving and promenades, but there are other very private and secluded beaches with fewer facilities with just natural beauty to enjoy.

Here is a list of 10 of the best beaches on the Algarve:

• Praia de Barril - Praia Ilha de Tavira.
• Praia da Armona
• Meia Praia
• Praia Verde
• Praia Ilha de Tavira
• Praia da Ilha de Faro
• Armação de Pera
• Praia da Galé
• Praia da Falésia
• Praia da Bordeira

ALGARVE LEISURE MARINAS

The Algarve offers some lovely marinas for boat and yacht lovers. They also offer some wonderful bars, restaurants and shops for all visitors.

Here is a list of leisure marinas on the Algarve:

• Faro City Council Marina
• Lagos Marina
• Portimao Marina
• The Albufeira Marina
• Vilamoura Marina

ALGARVE WEATHER SUMMARY

The Algarve is an all year round magnet for visitors due to its wonderful all year round temperatures.

The Algarve is located on the Atlantic and offers cool, refreshing breezes during the long, hot summers and the winters are mild with blue skies.
Holidaymakers, golfers and people moving to the Algarve all enjoy the famous inviting temperatures making the Algarve a very popular place.

Here is a summary of the year round weather on the Algarve:

Spring: The climate is generally very good, but there might be some occasional rain and slight wind sometimes.

Summer: The climate is very hot, a wonderful time to enjoy the Algarve beaches and also the fantastic warm evenings.

Autumn/Fall: A lovely time to visit the Algarve as it is generally cooler with fresh mornings, sunny days and blue skies.

Winter: This is the coolest time of the year but temperatures are between 12 degrees and 18 degrees C, very bright and sunny days. Slightly chilly evenings, great for wrapping up warm and walking along the stunning beaches.

Source: Jigsaw Overseas