Alvor
- Written by Come to Portugal
Alvor on the western side of the Algarve was once just a small fishing village, an unassuming hidden gem. Nowadays it has become a tourist favourite but has kept a great deal of its charm and remains un-spoilt. New buildings have been capped in height so not to be a blot on the landscape. From the town's core, dotted with traditional cafes, workers' houses and some restaurants, several cobbed streets lead down to the harbour. These streets are packed with restaurants and bars for the summer visitors to enjoy, as well as several more along the harbour front.
Alvor has a number of English and Irish bars in addition to its traditional ones. Yet despite this, the town does not have that uncomfortable feel of a tourist resort. More of a relaxed atmosphere and sitting out in the evening is something everybody enjoys whilst on holiday. During the day all that changes with good choice of mini supermarkets and fresh produce shopping and coffee breaks are on most people’s minds and come lunchtime the smell of the barbeques fill the air.
Like the rest of the Algarve, much funding has been spent on bringing the Algarve up to modern day standards, including disabled access to most places and a series of new wooden huts for the fishermen who can often be seen repairing their nets. The palm tree lined walkway with its restaurants and bars are the perfect place to enjoy some fresh barbecued fish while soaking up the atmosphere. Just further along is the golden sandy beach with small coves. Warning signs have been put up in some places to warn people of the potential danger of falling rocks from the cliffs; in 2010 rocks falling from the cliffs onto the beach caused a few fatalities.
Alvor was hit by the great earthquake in 1755 that destroyed so much of Portugal, but it retained its traditional layout, its tiny back streets, and its single storey dwellings with decorated parapet walls. There is still plenty of history and old buildings you can seek out, most especially the Igerja Matriz dating from the 16th century with its elaborate Manueline carvings on the arches and pillars. Although some of the church had to be repaired after the damage of 1755, it remains a prime example of the great craftsmanship of the Manueline style of architecture. Earlier than that, Portugal's King Joao II, one of the greatest European monarchs of the time, died in this small village in 1495. King Joao presided over a great period of Portuguese voyages of discovery, and Christopher Colombus reported first to King Joao before delivering his news to the Spanish monarch.
Alvor has something for everyone even the bars varied from English and Irish to traditional Portuguese. Yet despite this, the town does not have that uncomfortable feel of a tourist resort. More of a relaxed atmosphere and sitting out in the evening is something everybody enjoys whilst on holiday. During the day all that changes with good choice of mini supermarkets and fresh produce shopping, and coffee breaks are on most people’s minds. Come lunchtime the smell of the barbeques fill the air.
