LOCAL INFORMATION
Climate:
From June
to September the climate in the Algarve is generally dry, sunny and hot
(often reaching 35ºC in July and August); May and October can
be very warm, reaching up to 26ºC, although some rain is not uncommon.
The rest of the year, temperatures average some ten degrees warmer than UK,
with less rain.
You may check the current weather near Quinta Bavaria by clicking on the sun images above.
There are prevailing westerly winds, and in the hotter months a
cooling sea breeze often sets in during the middle of the day.
Language:
English is widely spoken in the Algarve and many Portuguese also speak German and French.
Spanish is understood.
History
of Lagos
About Lagos With
its castle walls, narrow, cobbled streets, pottery shops and numerous
from which to watch the world go by, Lagos has a relaxed atmosphere
and quiet charm, making it one of the most appealing locations
in the Algarve. The
ancient castle walls , built in the 16th century, used to
completely surround the city, but most of Lagos and its walls were
destroyed in the great earthquake of 1755. At the entrance to
the harbour, the recently restored 17th Century fortress is
worth a visit. Heading west from the fortress, a scenic cliff top
path stretches for several miles along a string of tiny beaches and
rock formations, offering beautiful views of the coastline along the
way. To the East, across the river, is 4km long Meia Praia beach.
Long ago, many naval battles were fought in its bay. In
the main square in Lagos there is a statue of D. Sebastião, which,
although the subject of many a rude remark, is by the highly-respected
Portuguese sculptor João Cutileiro. D. Sebastião was a
16th Century Portuguese ruler who became king in 1568 at the age of
14. In 1578 he set sail from Lagos with more than 400 ships to
fight the Muslims in Morocco. More than 7,000 of his army
never returned, himself among them. Back in Lagos, the Portuguese
refused to believe that he was dead, and so the legend grew that D.
Sebastião was still alive and that, one foggy day, he and his ghostly
armada would sail back into the harbour.
Close
to the Fortress, in front of the police station, is the ´'Golden'
church of Santo António which now forms part of Lagos' somewhat
eccentric museum. An
excellent selection of restaurants is concentrated in the
pedestrian-only Rua 25 de Abril. It is also worth a short
walk to the footbridge which crosses the Marina entrance to explore
the bars and restaurants in the relatively new Marina arcade.
HOW TO FIND
US:
Map
Detailed
directions to Quinta Bavaria will be forwarded as soon as a
reservation is confirmed.
BEACHES (PRAIAS)
Alvor: Follow beach signs as you enter the
village of Alvor. The large beach in front of the village is good for watersports.
The eastern end gives way to golden cliffs and sheltered coves with a selection of recently refurbished beach bars and
cafes. Trés Irmãos (Three Brothers), so called because of the rock formations, is a popular spot. The western side of the estuary is a short distance from Quinta Bavaria (and an easy cycle ride or modest, fairly level
walk).
Very quiet, rich in wildlife and ideal for fishing and less experienced
windsurfers.
Dona Ana: The most popular beach in the vicinity of Lagos, backed and flanked by steep
cliffs, sheltered from the westerly winds. Accessed by steep steps, with a bar and restaurant at the top with fabulous views along the rocky coastline. There is a selection of similar
small,
picturesque coves between Dona Ana and Ponta Piedade.
Porto de Mós: A small bay between Luz and Lagos flanked by cliffs with a a beach bar and public facilities. Easy access from a car park right behind the sand.
Meia Praia
: The closest beach to Quinta Bavaria. A
long, wide stretch of sand which can be seen across the bay from the Fortress in Lagos. No natural shade or shelter but one or two excellent and recently refurbished beach bars towards the Lagos end offering sunbeds and shades for hire. It can become windy in the afternoons.
Excellent for water sports - waterskiing, sailing and windsurfing rentals are
available in summer.
Praia da Luz: A long curve of sand starts right in front of the town of Luz, to the west of Lagos. Sand gives way to rocks at the eastern end. A recently improved promenade and a number of beachside cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops make it ideal for
young families.
Burgau: Small beach right in front of the picturesque fishing village, flanked by cliffs at either end. Parking near the beach is in short supply, so leave your car at the top of the village and walk down.
Praia da Rocha,
Portimão. Portimão's seaside suburb. A huge expanse of golden sand, backed by
restaurants, bars and high rise apartments, sheltered by cliffs in the west.
Carvoeiro: A quaint village and picturesque beach with a selection of bars and restaurants on the sand. There is a small daily market in the centre of the village and a selection of souvenir shops.
Benagil and Marinha: There is a string of delightful secluded coves between Carvoeiro and Benagil. Turn right at the International School from the N125 and follow the signposts. Some have beach bars, most have parking and steep steps down to the
sand. Excellent for swimming and snorkelling.
West
Coast beaches: It's certainly worth the 45 minute drive
north west through Aljezur to savour the unspoilt, rugged beaches at
Odeceixe, Amoreira, Bordeira and Amado. Stop off at any of the local
roadside restaurants to sample some excellent fish dishes caught that morning by local fishermen.
SPORTS FACILITIES
Burgau Sports and Leisure Centre 282 697 350
A popular club with tennis and squash courts, gymnasium, aerobics classes,
restaurant and outdoor heated pool, all open to the public for a reasonable price.
Horse riding
Vale de Ferro, Arao. Follow Hipico signs from N125
Tiffanies, near Espiche 282 697 395
Diving:
Blue Ocean Divers, Motel Ancora, 8600 Lagos 282 782 341
Pinguim Sub Sda 282 485 784, Portimao
Microlight Flying Aero Club of Lagos
282 762 906
Short flights, lessons and courses
Sailing and motorboating: General
information about yachting
in Portugal.
The marinas at Lagos and Vilamoura have charter offices. A UK sailing school does week-long RYA tidal courses from Competent Crew to Coastal Skipper
(practical) out of Lagos.
Dolphin Watching:
Trips out of Lagos marina aboard a high-speed rigid inflatable boat, to watch dolphins
or simply get a dose of speed, may be booked at Quinta Bavaria.
ROUGH GUIDE TO SOME LOCAL RESTAURANTS
Odiáxere
Cacto - Very good international dishes owned by friendly English/Dutch couple. Romantic candlelit atmosphere on the covered terrace. Medium price range. Booking essential.
Pizzeria Bella-Pizza: A family run restaurant. Huge menu of pizzas, Italian and international dishes to eat in or take away. On the N125 in Odeáxere.
Lagos
A Matilde: Portuguese family run restaurant on the Meia Praia road behind the Marina, under the yellow block of apartments. Traditional home made dishes at reasonable prices. Their speciality is steak on a stone, highly recommended.
San Sebastião - Busy restaurant in the centre of Lagos. Tables on the pavement, exceedingly popular and touristy but good value with an extensive menu. Lagos's 'famous' restaurant.
Adega da Marina - An excellent good value, no frills fish restaurant
('though their chicken also comes highly recommended) on Avenida dos
Descobrimentos (the main marina road) in Lagos, not far from the fish market.
Bar Lota - Opposite Lagos Train Station behind the Marina. Excellent value fish restaurant with long tables and benches under an awning where fish is cooked on an open-air grill. Lunch only.
Cantinho do Mar- Just off the main pedestrian walkway in the centre of Lagos, a tiny restaurant (booking essential) serving an excellent selection of seafood such as prawns & garlic, mixed fish platter plus a good selection of meat dishes. Reasonably priced.
Espiche
Fontenario - At the crossroads in the village. Very popular - pretty terrace, attentive staff and good international food. Mid-price range.
Papagaio - Genuine old wine cellar , choose from 7 different meats all charcoaled on a hot stone. Eat as much as you like for a fixed price. Fado on Tuesday and Saturday night. 5km from Lagos in direction of Sagres. Open every day. 282 789 423.
Salema - Several good restaurants for lunch or dinner right on the beach.
SOME LOCAL WINES
You can buy some very good Portuguese red wines for quite a bit less than you would pay in UK. Following are one or two tried and tested recommendations, which will cost in the region of 3.50-4.50 Euros (£2.50-£3.50). In restaurants, house wine is often very cheap and quite acceptable. Occasionally red house wine will appear chilled in a jug - the second jug is usually better than the first! A lot of good wines come from the Douro and Alentejo regions, but avoid Algarve produced wine. If anyone finds a bottle of Cliff Richard's Vida Nova we'd be interested to sample one!!
Everyday Reds of consistent value:
Esteva (Douro) (any year)
Vinha do Monte (Alentejo) (any year)
Casa de Santar (Dao) (any year)
Serras de Azeitão (Terras do Sado) Red or White
White:
Portuguese white wines can be ropey - as a general guide, best to avoid white wine for less than 5 Euros in the supermarket.
However, Catarina (Setubal area) is agreeable (about 4 Euros).
Esporão Reserva branco (Alentejo) at around 6 Euros is delicious and has been very consistent from 1997 to 2000. João Pires, at around 4.50 Euros is one of our favourite cheapies.
An alternative is Vinho Verde ("Green" Wine from the north of Portugal) which is a refreshing local white, semi-sparkling, served well-chilled.
BRANDY
Adega Velha is a world-class brandy for savouring.
For volume consumption, try Antiqua - a fair bit cheaper.
Aguardente is the generic term for local spirits made from different types of fruit. Some can be quite interesting. The cheaper end of the market ("bagaco" - distilled spirit from the fermented skins of grapes used for winemakeing) is worth a try if you are brave and have already lost your driving licence.
WATER
The tapwater is generally safe and to European standards. Bottled waters come flat ("sem gas") or sparkling ("com gas"). The natural, slightly sparkling water "Pedras Salgados" (literally: "Salty Rocks") is a world-class mineral water.
PORT WINE
There is no such thing as a good cheap classic port. The good ones are just about as expensive here as anywhere else. As for the cheap ones....... But white port is inexpensive and, drunk chilled, is good value as an aperitif.
SUPERMARKETS
Note that Quinta Bavaria provides a complimentary welcome pack for guests which means
they may enjoy a relaxing swim and snack on arrival without
having to shop immediately after their journey.
Pingo Doce, Lagos - large supermarket open Monday to Saturday.
Sunday opening depends on season. On the left of main road (N125) east of Lagos.
BANKS
Banks are open Monday to Friday 8.30 to 11.45am and 1.00pm to 3.00pm. Closed weekends and public holidays. Exchange rates for traveller's cheques
are slightly higher than for cash notes. Cash advances are available on most credit cards.
There are numerous Multibanco cash machines in Lagos. Machines accept direct debit or visa card. The nearest to Quinta Bavaria is situated in Odeáxere opposite the corner shop (follow signs from centre of village).
Most restaurants and shops in the main tourist areas will accept major credit cards, but smaller, off the beaten track restaurants may only accept cash.
POST OFFICE
There is a small post office in Odeáxere (behind the chemist - Farmácia) on the left of the main road. Open 8.30am to 12.30pm and 2.00pm to 6.00pm. Closed weekends and public holidays.
The main post office is in the square in Lagos, open 8.30am to 6.00pm.
Stamps (selos) can be bought in most shops selling postcards. Postcards and letters under 20g to UK cost 30 cents.
TELEPHONES
Local and international calls can be made from coin or card operated boxes or metered phones in Post Offices, hotels and some bars. Cards can be bought from Post Offices and shops displaying 'Credifone' sign.
Algarve calls: there are three phone areas with separate prefixes: 281 east, 289 central, 282 west. Dial the prefix if calling from either inside or outside that area.
UK calls: Dial 0044 for anywhere in the UK followed by area and local number, leaving out the '0' area prefix. For Ireland, dial 00353. Reverse charge and international info: dial the operator on 099.
BRITISH CONSULATE
Largo Francisco A Mauricio No 7,
1st Floor, Apt 609, 8500 Portimao, Phone: 282 417 800
TOURIST OFFICES
Lagos: Rua Vasco da Gama (S Joao) 8600-722 Lagos
Phone 282 763 031 Open weekdays.
Portimao: Avenida Zeca Afonso 8500-512 Portimao
Phone 282 419 131
DRIVING
Some basic rules:
Always carry your driving licence with you in the car.
Seat belts must be worn in front and back seats.
Under 13 year olds are not allowed to sit in the front .
At intersection of roads of equal importance, without a priority
(Yield or Stop) sign, give way to the right.
At roundabouts, give way to the vehicle already on the roundabout.
The alcohol limit is lower than in UK.
Speed limits: 60kph in built-up area; 90kph on open roads; 120kph on motorways.
Never leave anything of value in your parked car
AIRPORT/AIRLINES
Faro Airport General Information 289 80 80 80
Arrival and Departure Information 289 80 08 01
British Airways Desk, Faro Airport 289 818476
EasyJet 808 204 204
TRANSPORT
Renex national line buses (to Lisbon) 089 586 023
Lagos Railway station 282 762 987
LOCAL TAXIS
Alcina Silva, Lagos 282 762 766 Mobile: 91 574 623
Gil Eanes, Lagos 282 763 587
Lagos Central Taxis, Avenida dos Descobrimentos 282 762 469
Jose France Marrieros 282 764 942
MEDICAL/EMERGENCY
Emergency Fire/Police/Ambulance 112
Lagos District Hospital 282 76 30 34
Portimao Hospital 282 41 51 15
Local police, Lagos 282 76 28 09
MediLagos 24 hour clinic with English speaking doctors, pay as you go: 282 760 181
Note: In Portugal, you are officially required to carry identification (passport
or identity card) at all times.
GOLF COURSE GUIDE
BOAVISTA (2002)
18 holes Par 71 6,053m
Tel: 282 782 151
Directions: On the N125 between Lagos and Luz.
The Western Algarve's most recent addition. An interesting and varied 18 hole championship course with water hazards and views towards the sea.
PALMARES (1975)
18 holes Par 71 5,961 metres
9 more holes added and opened in summer 2011.
Driving range.
Tel: 282 762953 Fax: 282 762534
Directions: Follow signs from the centre of Odiáxere
One of the most scenic courses in the area. Pine forests and almond trees slope down to five links holes running parallel to Meia Praia beach. The recently refurbished clubhouse and restaurant is worth a visit for
its large terrace and spectacular views along the coastline.
PENINA (1966)
18 hole Championship Par 73 6,343 metres
9 hole Resort Par 35 2,987 meters
9 hole Academy Par 30 2,035 meters
Tel: 282 415415 Fax: 282 415000
Directions: Located at the Meridien Penina Hotel Resort 5km before Portimão on the right on the N125.
The Algarve's oldest and best known course designed by Sir Henry Cotton. The Championship course is flat, running through lush green land once farmed for rice. Mature eucalyptus trees provide welcome shade from the summer sun. Complemented by two separate 9 hole courses and a driving range.
ALTO GOLFE (1991)
18 holes Par 72 6,125 meters
Tel: 282 416913 Fax: 282 401046
Directions: Midway between Alvor and Portimao. Well signposted from the N125.
Parkland course with beautiful views of the both the sea and the Monchique mountains. One of the most memorable holes is the 604m 16th known as the 'giant' or Henry Cotton Challenge'.
VALE DE MILHO
9 holes 2 x 9 Par 54 926 meters
Tel: 282 358502 Fax: 282 358497
Directions: In the direction of Faro on the N125, turn off for Lagoa at Carvoeiro Village. Vale de Milho is signposted at 3km on the road running east out of Carvoeiro.
Ideal for a relaxed and inexpensive round. Greens and bunkers are generally full size and holes vary in length from 60 to 160 meters. Each hole has two sets of tees. Plenty of water hazards make this course challenging.
VALE DE PINTA
18 holes Par 71 6,152m
Tel:
Directions: Close to Carvoeiro.
A recently constructed course running through undulating countryside. Already has a reputation for being demanding, offering a limited amount of shade and can be taxing in summer - a brolly and plenty of water are recommended.
QUINTA DA GRAMACHO
18 holes Par 72 6,152m
Tel:
Directions: Between Carvoeiro and Ferragudo. A little hard to find as it is off the main roads.
An unusual design, this course has 9 fairways each with 2 tees and 2 greens.
PARQUE DE FLORESTA
18 holes Par 72 5,670m
Tel: 282 690000 Fax: 282 695 157
Directions: Head West on the N125 to Vila do Bispo. At 16km, just over 1km past Budens, look for signpost on the right at the lights. 25 minutes.
A demanding course carved out of a series of steep valleys with sweeping views. Many of the fairways have been modified since it first opened, but it remains a considerable challenge. Buggies recommended! The resort complex also hosts tennis courts, sports centre and bowling greens, open to the public.
DISCLAIMER: The above information is based on our own personal experience and personal opinion, and is intended for the information of guests and potential guests only. The opinion of others may vary. You should make your own judgements. We are not liable for
the consequences of any action taken on the basis of this information.
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