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Important Information (Scroll Down)
Getting to the Villa
Directions from Faro Airport to Vale da Telha (Aljezur).
1. From Faro take the A22 to Lagos.(west bound).
2. Follow the signs to Aljezur
3. When you are about to reach Aljezur turn left to Vale da Telha
4. Total distance: 120 Km
Directions from Lisbon Airport to Vale da Telha (Aljezur) via main motorway
1. Leaving the airport area turn right (300 meters) to 2ª Circular road
2. Once in 2ª Circular road, after 2 Km turn right to SUL / A2 / Ponte 25 de Abril.
3. Go ahead 5 Km until you reach the Bridge 25 de Abril.
4. Cross the Bridge and go Algarve (motorway A2)
5. Travel about 200 km in the motorway ,
6. Leave the motorway and head to Portimão in the notorway A22
6. Once in the A22 head to Lagos, then Aljezur
7. When you are about to reach Aljezur turn left to Vale da Telha
8. Total distance: around 300Km
Beaches Map Around Vale da Telha
My favourite beaches
Monte Clérigo Beach
Distance from the villa: 3 Km
Leave the villa and go in the Monte Clérigo way (in the round-about).
It is perfect for families due to its large sands and supportive arrangements. Enjoy the beautiful panoramic view when coming down from Vale da Telha. If you pass this beach and go on up-hill you will get to the Amoreira Beach (north Bank), see below.
Amoreira Beach (North Bank)
Distance from the villa: 5 Km
Leave the villa and go in the Monte Clérigo way (in the round-about). Pass Monte Clérigo beach and proceed up the hill until you find this beach. To take a bath you have to carefully go down the hill, and you will end up straight in the river bed with water up your waist. Be carefully if you have children with you. You may prefer the Amoreira South bank beach (see below)
Amoreira Beach (South Bank)
Distance from the villa: 16 Km
Go to Aljezur, cross it north bound, follow indications when you are about to leave Aljezur.
River meets the sea, very nice for children to swim safely in the transition water (salty). Walk south along the river until the vegetation banks, beautiful scenario.
Arrifana Beach (4 Km away from the Villa)
Advisable to go down the hill to the beach with your car, leave the passengers, and come up the hill to park the car. Arrifana is an important competition surf and body board beach.
Arrifana beach has blue flag and large sands with more than 500 meters. This beach forms a small bay with low breaking of the waves. On south side there is a vertical rock at the middle of the sea, like a huge statue, known as “Pedra da Agulha”.
Bordeira Beach (30 Km away from the Villa)
Bordeira beach is located near Carrapateira. A quiet place, perfect to relax on holidays. Sometimes, a small lake is formed between beach and asphalt road where children can freely play-
Aljezur (7 km away from the Villa)
In this village you may find:
- Banks and ATM machines
- Pharmacies
- Traditional Market
- Petrol Station
- Many Bars and Restaurants
- Some night life
- Free Internet cyber space (see below)
- Health Centre
Vales (3 km away from the Villa)
In this tiny village you can find:
- A couple of Restaurants
- The Residents Association Located in Escola Primária de Vales with Library and free
internet cyber space.
- ATM Machine
Free internet access point
- In the Escola Primária de Vales, in Vales, in the Vale da Telha Residents Association (AMOVATE). Tel (+351)282997283.
Timetable: everyday from 16H to 19H. Vales is very close to Vale da Telha (3 Km)
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Council Internet Space (Espaço
Internet do Concelho de Aljezur)
Rua da Serra, Loja A - R/C - Igreja Nova- Aljezur
Monday : 09H to 14H.
Wed to Sat: das 16H to 21H.
Close Sundays and Tuesdays.
·
Associação de Defesa do Património Histórico e Arqueológico de
Aljezur
Adress; Rua João Dias Mendes, Nº 48
8670-086 Aljezur
Monday to Friday ,
9:00 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 17:30 horas
Paid internet access points
·
Sky-Net
Rua 25 de Abril, n.º 69
8670-088 Aljezur
Moday to Saturday, 10:00 to 14:00 and 16:00 to 22:00
Restaurants
Vale da Telha
· Restaurante Fonte do Vale
· Restaurante Mediaval
· Some Restaurants in the „Flats“ (see map above)
Aljezur
· Restaurante Ruth (in the main Aljezur Avenue, close to the Bridge) …don´t miss this…the fresh tuna steak is my favourite…strong fish flavour be aware.
· Restaurant Primavera (in the main Aljezur Avenue)
· Restaurante A Lareira
· Many others...
Food Shops
Vale da Telha
· Mini-Market Roque (sells also roasted meat and chicken take-away), see map above
· Mini-rmarket “Gás Gira” in the “Apartments”, see map above
Aljezur
· Traditional Market close to the bridge in the Touristy Information Centre
· ALI-Super Supermarket in the New Church square
· SPAR supermarket, up the road by the Bombeiros (Fire Brigade), then at the cafe on the left, turn right, then second left and then first left again (coming back on yourself in a one way system). Ask directions in the Galp Petrol Station, or the Bombeiros (Fire Brigade)
· Others
Interesting points in Aljezur
· Castle of Aljezur - erected on a hill overlooking the castle served to control the river port that provided a link with the sea and to defend the population from enemy attack. Built during the period of Arab rule (10th century). Its walls afford panoramic vies of the surrounding countryside. The Pillory - where criminals were exposed to public scorn, has been rebuilt from 16th century, remains.
· Misericórdia (Mercy) Church - this church was rebuilt in the 16th century and then again after the earthquake of 1755. It has recently undergone extensive restoration work inside and out. The main doorway is in the Renaissance style. It has a plain interior with interesting flags and a fraternity table.
· Igreja Nossa Senhora da Alva - built at the end of the 18th century. It boasts a fine statue of Nossa Senhora da Alva (Our Lady of Daybreak) (18th century) flanked by two 17th century statues, probably taken from the former main church, which was destroyed in 1755.
· José Cercas Museum - canvasses and drawings by the painter José Cercas, who was born in Aljezur, and other Portuguese artists, furniture, religious art.
· Aljezur Municipal Museum - located in the building that was once the town hall, this museum contains archaeological finds that trace the history of human settlement in Aljezur from 7000 BC.
Galleries and Museums in Aljezur
- Municipal Museum:
Located in the building that was once the town hall, this museum contains archaeological finds that trace the history of human settlement in Aljezur from 7000 BC.
Adress:
Largo 5 de Outubro, Aljezur
Opening hours: 09.30 to
13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30 Closed
Saturday, Sunday and holidays
- Municipal Art Gallery: Largo 5 de Outubro,
8670-053 Aljezur
Tel. 282 995 019
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 9.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30 closed on Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
- Espaço Mais gallery: Rua da Escola, 8670-130 Aljezur
Tel. 282 997 181
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 10.00 to 17.30
- Casa-Museu Pintor José Cercas: The
home of the 20th century artist has been turned into a museum with collections of china, sacred art, sculptures and works of art by
himself and other artists.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
- Museu Antoniano: Originally
the building was the chapel
of Santo António of
Aljezur, which was constructed in the 17th century. After being used to live in during the 19th century it was finally
turned into a museum and now displays books, old engravings, coins, medals and other curiosities of the time.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 17.30. closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
- Museum of
Sacred Art is
housed in an annex of
Igreja da Misericórdia. It is
named after it's patron, a local man - Monsenhor Cónego Manuel Francisco Pardal.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Horse and Bike Riding in Aljezur
Contact me if interested
The “Ribat” of Vale da Telha (2 Km away from the Villa)
It is located in Ponta da Atalia, 2 Km away from the Villa (see map below).
The Ribat was a Muslim temple created by Ibn Qasî (1144), a mystic against the mainstream Muslim religion. It was discovered in 2001. There is not much to see of the original Temple, only a some very low walls and stones, but the landscape is breathtaking, and we understand why Ibn Qasî, picked up such a remote and protected area, to isolate himself from the Muslin power.
A day trip to the Monchique Sierra (18 Km away from Aljezur)
Monchique Sierra retains the highest points in the Algarve .
The town of
Monchique lies in the saddle
created by the two high hills, Foia and
Picota, the former reaching to 902 metres
above sea level. There is a very neglected 17th~Century Franciscan monastery
which overlooks the town from which a visitor enjoys a panoramic view over the
beautiful countryside. The 16th Century Parish Church has excellent examples of
Manueline craftsmanship around its doorway. The
surrounding area flourishes on the production of cattle, pigs, cork and wood.
Another important local product is the popular "medronho",
which is the name of a strong schnapps style of drink made from distilling the
fruit from arbutus bushes. Foia and its sister
mountain of Picota are excellent locations
from which to see dramatic views of the coastal plain to the south and to the
western Atlantic coast.
Monchique - Nearby Locations
Between Monchique and the town of Portimão is the village of Caldas de Monchique that was developed in Roman times as a
Spa. Here a visitor can try the curing elements of the sulphur smelling hot
spring water that emerges at a constant temperature of 32ºC. There are two
further hot spring sites, one of which is to the south of Picota
hidden in a valley. Its name is Fonte Santa
and it is rumoured to have special healing properties. Some people make annual
visits and in its history some centuries ago it has been recorded as being
visited by both the King of Portugal and the King of Italy. The two nearby
villages of Alferce and Casais
are both typical un-spoilt locations reflecting the spirit of rural mountain
life. The village of Marmelete is to the west
and located on the road that connects to the many sandy beaches on the western
Atlantic coast. The small rural town of Aljezur
with its hilltop 12th Century castle and its 14th Century parish church is
further west on this same road.
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Monchique Events |
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Feira dos Enchidos Tradicionais (Sausages) |
March |
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Feira de Artesanato (Handicraft Fair) |
September |
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Flea Market |
28th of every month |
The windmill at Arregata
Located just a short distance from Rogil, a village close and north to Aljezur. You can see the various implements used for grinding the cereals. It is located in the south entrance of the Rogil village.
Opening hours: 14.00 to 18.00. Closed Saturday, Sunday, Monday and holidays
Aljezur (and villages around) Fairs, Festivals and Markets
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Location |
Event |
Date |
Coments |
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Aljezur, next to the school EB1 |
Aljezur monthly market: |
3rd Monday of each month |
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Aljezur, ask directions in the Galp Petrol Station |
Sweet Potato Festival |
3rd weekend in October |
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Aljezur |
Festival in honor of Nossa Senhora da Alva (Our Lady of Alva) |
1st weekend in September |
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Aljezur |
Feira da Terra (local produce market) |
1st Saturday of each month between June and October |
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Feira de Aljezur (Aljezur Fair) |
Annual Fair |
Last Sunday of September |
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Aljezur |
Village holiday and Annual Blessed Bath in the Beach |
29th August |
According to the tradition sea water is supposed to be blessed in this day |
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Aljezur |
Feira do Filhó--Fair of Filhó (pastry) |
First quarter of the year |
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Arrifana |
Festa dos Pescadores (Fisherman Party) |
Last weekend of July |
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Monchique |
Feira dos Enchidos Tradicionais (Traditional Sausages Fair) |
March |
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Monchique (Marmelete) |
Feira de Artesanato (Handicraft Fair) |
Last Sunday of July |
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Monchique |
Monthly Flea Market |
28th of every month |
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Monchique |
Feira do Presunto (Ham´s Fair) |
1st weekend of July |
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Monchique |
Feira de Artesanato "Artechique" (Handicraft Fair “Artichique”) |
1st weekend of September |
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Monchique |
Annual Fair |
4th weekend of October |
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Marmelete |
Feira Anual de Marmelete (Marmelete Annual Fair) |
1st Sunday of September |
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Alfambras |
Annual Fair. Feira das Alfambras (Alfambras Fair) |
1st Saturday of October. |
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Rogil, next to Junta de Freguesia |
Rogil monthly market |
4th Sunday of each month |
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Rogil |
Annual Fair Feira do Rogil (Rogil Fair) |
3rd Sunday of August |
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Odeceixe |
Annual Fair Feira de Odeceixe (Odeceixe Fair) |
1st Sunday of September |
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Lagos, on the ground next to the municipal stadium. |
Monthly Market in Lagos
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1st Saturday of the month |
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Some curiosities
· Walking in the Algarve, one may notice this sweet smell that seems to be everywhere, mainly in the countryside. It comes from the ever present Esteva (see picture below) bush, a plant whose leaves are covered with a sticky substance (ládano) that may be used to do perfumes and natural remedies. Shepherds used to collect this material by letting their animals walk among the Estevas fields and then scrub their fur.
- The villa is located in a natural Park called “Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina” It is a protected area with building restrictions.
- The flower of the Esteva is supposed to last only one day each
- The peanut and the sweet potato are two important products of the Aljezur farming and are considered top quality products. Several local desserts are made with sweep potatoes. The sweet potato crop is between August and February.
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