Alvor

Alvor, Algarve, Portugal

Alvor is a quiet fishing village just outside the busy resort of Praia da Rocha. There are many restaurants and bars situated along the promenade and around the harbour. The resort does have one disco so if you are looking for somewhere a bit livelier at night you could take a taxi to neighbouring Praia da Rocha.

Alvor

Alvor is a lovely fishing village just outside the busy resort of Praia da Rocha. It boasts a long stretch of golden sand beach and a pretty village centre with excellent restaurants and bars playing live music. Best suited to couples, families, or those seeking lazy days and a short taxi ride to lively Praia da Rocha. Transfer time approx 1hr 20min.

Read more about: Beaches | Things to Do | Out and About | Nearby Attractions | Alvor Reviews

Alvor Hotels (24)

Overlooking the Alto Golf Course, this small apartment complex offers spacious, well furnished modern accommodation....

Forming part of the Dom Joao Village resort, the apartments enjoy an enviable location with direct access to the beach....

A small self-catering complex of one and two bedroom apartments situated on the outskirts of the resort. ...

This self-catering complex of studios and apartments is well placed for easy access to the beach, Alvor village and the Alto Golf Course....

Situated in the Prainha Village Complex, these well equipped apartments are surrounded by gardens, offering comfortable accommodation and access to the complex facilities....

A simple self-catering complex of one-bedroom apartments situated in the centre of the resort, within easy reach of the beach and resort amenities....

The Pestana Alvor Park Aparthotel offers self-catering studios and apartments and a good range of facilities on site and at the nearby sister properties....

Bright and modern studios and apartments with access to the facilities of the Pestana Dom Joao II....

The Pestana Dom Joao II Villas forms part of the Pestana Dom Joao II complex, where guests are able to use many of the shared on-site facilities, including two restaurants, three bars, indoor and outd...

The Vilamor Apartments offers simple accommodation in a relaxed environment, with access to an outdoor pool....

A self-catering complex situated on the edge of Alvor, offering simple accommodation with access to an outdoor pool....

All Inclusive hotel offering good accommodation and overlooking Tres Irmaos beach, between Portimao and Alvor village, this is an ideal choice for golf and tennis enthusiasts or for those seeking a pe...

The Alvor Baia Resort Hotel features a large outdoor swimming pool and separate children's pool, situated on the edge of the resort of Alvor. ...

Prainha Clube is located within the Prainha Village Complex where guests have access to all the facilities and services, as well as direct access to the beach....

The Luna Alvor Village Suites is located in a quiet area of Alvor, near to the Ria de Alvor Natural Reserve, around a 15-minute walk from the centre of Alvor....

Set in large cliff-top gardens, the complex boasts ocean views and direct access to the beach....

Spacious and well equipped self-catering apartments, with optional All Inclusive programme, provide a good base to explore the resort and beaches....

Set on top of a cliff above the Tres Irmaos beach, this 5-star hotel offers a comfortable environment with a good range of facilities to hand....

The AlvorMar Apartments is situated in the centre of Alvor, within easy reach of the resort amenities and a short walk from the beach. Accommodation is simple though well equipped providing a comforta...

The Luna Alvor Bay is a charming adults-only hotel located just steps away from the beachfront and a short hop into Alvor centre, ideal for couples looking to enjoy a laid-back beach break....

Comfortable accommodation in a central location making it the ideal spot to enjoy the resort amenities....

The Club Alvor Golf Apartments offers simple self-catering accommodation on the outskirts of Alvor. The complex benefits from an outdoor swimming pool, childrens pool and play-area....

The Pestana Alvor South Beach Hotel is a boutique property with modern furnishings, situated on the Alvor beachfront and just a 10-minute walk from the village centre....

This gorgeous all-inclusive resort is the perfect pick for a relaxing holiday in the Algarve, complete with swimming, dining and pampering....

Beaches

The beach at Alvor (Praia de Alvor) is more of a sandy outcrop, separating the Atlantic Ocean from the lagoon of the river. There is plenty space to play beach sports or to simply lie and relax, whatever you fancy. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire and there are a couple of restaurants should you need something to eat or even just a drink. There are also many watersports available here, such as sailing, windsurfing, pedalos and motorised sports.

Beach of the three brothers (Praia dos Tres Imaos) is situated at the Eastern end of Alvor and gets it's name from the three tall rock formations that rise from the ground and tower over the sands. There are rolling sand dunes to the back of the beach which back on to the lagoon formed by the Alvor River. The many walkways over the dunes are perfect for cycling and nature spotting.

Things to Do

A popular activity for both residents and tourists is cycling. The flat, clear roads make for perfect conditions and it is a great way to explore the village and the different landscapes. It is also a great place for those who enjoy walking and there are many tracks so that people can get to see a lot of the resort on foot. Horse riding is also popular here and there are many centres which provide lessons and trekks for beginners and the more experienced rider.

For the more active, there are many tennis courts where it is possible to either hire or purchase tennis equipment. Sticking with the sporting theme, there are tons of golf courses in the region, many of which are in Alvor. There are 30 courses already with even more planned for the future. Golf is very popular here and many people come from all over the world to enjoy the beautiful courses.

Built at some point before the 12th century, the Alvor Castle is one of the main historical landmarks and worth a visit. Only the turrets and two sections of the wall remain intact but it is still an important historical attraction. Igreja Matriz Divino Salvador, one of the most attractive churches in the Algarve is situated in Alvor. The church is a great example of Manueline architecture and presides over the whole town. There is also the ruins of the Roman Villa Abicada which are situated just outside the town centre. The ruins are in great need of restoration but certainly of interest to any history buffs.

Out and About

There are plenty of restaurants on offer in Alvor, so whether you fancy trying some freshly prepared seafood in one of the harbour front restaurants or you would rather stick to something a little more traditional, there is something here to suit. As Alvor is quite family orientated, you will also find something to suit the little ones.

From cocktail bars, to Irish bars and wine bars, there is a bar to suit everyone and the entertainment can last well into the night so be prepared to party. There are also a lot of traditional bars if you just fancy a quiet drink.

There are plenty of markets in Alvor which is great for those who choose to go on a self catering holiday. There is a great choice of fruit and vegetables and not to mention freshly caught fish, at great prices. There are the normal touristy shops in Alvor but you will also find some nice little jewellery shops and other shops selling ceramics and basketware.

Nearby Attractions

There is lots to do in the surrounding area but one of the more popular things to do is a visit to Lagos Zoo. The zoo is aimed at conserving the environment and it's habitat while educating it's visitors on conservation and is home to many different species of animals and plants. Although it is a small zoo, you will get the chance to interact with some of the animals in the petting zoo. There is also a children's playground, picnic area, snack bar and restaurant here which makes it the ideal place for a family day out.

Another popular family day out is the Slide and Splash water park in Lagos which is said to be the largest water park in Portugal. Not only are there some large, scary rides, there is also a jacuzzi, an Olympic sized swimming pool and plenty of rides and attractions for younger children. The many slides and water related activities make this a favourite with the whole family.

If you want to combine water and animals, take a trip to Zoomarine, Portugal's only animal and marine park. There are dolphin shows, sea lion shows, water birds, birds of prey, a great aquarium and also an alligator compound. You can also take some time out and relax by the pool or have some fun on the amusement rides, whatever you choose to do, the whole family will have a great day out.

Graph displaying average temperatures throughout the year at Alvor

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