Adventure Sports |
Tour Raid
Moto X, Paintball, Jet Skiing, Water skiing. Multi sports. Moto Cross / Scrambling in the Monchique mountains. Sea fun, Paintballing.
Where: Sitio da Alcaria - Alvor. 8500 Portimão
Tel: (+351) 282 457 263. Fax: (+351) 282 457 263.
E-Mail: ip275804@ip.pt
Web: Touraid |
Archery |
Parque da Floresta
Golf & Leisure resort.
Budens 8650-060
Tel: (+351) 282 690 000. |
Canoeing |
AlternativTour Monchique
This company features several times on these pages as it seems to be the only (established) one that caters for the slightly diverse sports and past times in the (western) Algarve. See also
Mountain Biking and Climbing categories.
Cost: Adults: €35 Children (to 15): €20, including equipment, transport, picnic, water and insurance. (2006)
Where: Sitio das Relvinhas, Apartado 122, 8550-909 - Monchique
Tel: (+351) 282 913 204.
Fax: (+351) 282 911 405.
Mobile: (+351) 965 004 337.
Web: Algarve Portal |
Casino |
Hotel
Algarve Casino
This is the nearest to Luz, about 45 minutes drive. Open in the afternoon, the Casino has modern slot machines and table games - Roulette (American and French) and Blackjack. In the evening,
there is also the Aladino Restaurant with its international shows and live musical entertainment. Casinos will charge an entrance fee. Foreign visitors must produce their passport. Men are usually
required to wear jackets and ties. I've seen discount vouchers for here being given out in the street (Alvor) and in hotel / resort receptions.
Where: Located at Praia da Rocha just by Portimao.
Praia da Rocha, 8500-802 Portimão.
Web: Portugalvirtual.pt |
Casino * |
Solverde Group There are
three casinos belonging to the Solverde group in the Algarve: Villamoura, Espinho and Monte Gordo.
They offer staged entertainment as well as gaming rooms. The nearest (of this group) to Luz is the casino at Vilamoura, which is about an hour+ drive from Luz. Nightly show,
Dancing, The Restaurant has full and tourist menus.
Open: from 17:00 - 03:00.
Where: Vilamoura, 8125-410 Quarteira.
Tel: (+351) 289 310 000.
Fax: (+351) 289 310 099.
E-mail: casinovilamoura@solverde.pt |
Climbing |
AlternativTour
Monchique
Where: Sitio das Relvinhas, Apartado 122, 8550-909 Monchique.
Tel: (+351) 282 913 204.
Fax: (+351) 282 911 405.
Mobile: (+351) 965 004 337.
Web: Alternativtour |
Cycling |
Passeios do Sodueste
Guided bicycle rides.
Tel: (+351) 282 761 720. |
Dolphin Watching |
Algarve-Dolphins
Guaranteed to see Dolphins or a free trip. Using semi rigid inflatables (can be quite bone shaking), you travel out for a 90 minute run with the dolphins.
When: Departures every hour.
Where: Algarve Dolphins operate out of Lagos Marina (by the train station). Tickets from the Bom Dia
ticket office. Marina de Lagos, 10. (next to the Pizza Hut)
Tel: (+351) 282 087 587.
Web: Algarve Dolphins |
Football * |
Faro
- The fairly new (Oct 2003) 30,000 seater Estádio Algarve
is home to both first division club SC Farense and Loulé's Louletano. Built for Euro 2004, it is now no longer overly used.
Where: The new stadium is located in São João da Venda, midway between Faro and Loulé, and is part of the new Parque das Cidades development, which includes a botanical garden, landscaped
spaces, a lake and a nine-hole golf course. Ask in any bar in Luz for the weeks matches (if any). You'll see it on the way out from Faro Airport.
Then nearest 'decent' team is Portimonense in Portimao
who play in the Liga da Honra (roughly the equivalent to the Championship in England i.e. the level below the Superliga / Premiership.) The nearest Superliga teams are way up in Lisbon i.e.
Benfica, Sporting etc but as all their games are live on TV they are always in the evenings so you can easily watch them at most 'local' bars.
Directions (Faro): The stadium is located 8km north-west of Faro on the road to Loulé. Using the railway from Faro (to Lisbon), there is a stop at Parque das Cidades.
Portimao - Nearer Luz is the ground at Portimao, which is a local pitch in the middle of the town. Matches are more regularly played here. Ask in any bar in Luz for the weeks fixtures. |
Fishing (Beach) |
More than 200 varieties of fish are to be found in Portuguese waters. Even from the beach there is a good chance of landing sole, plaice, bream or bass. There is also good fishing from the
extensive rocks or cliffs adjoining the beach at Luz. At greater depths skate, mackerel and tuna can be caught. Lagos, Vilamoura and Portimao are the centres of big game fishing, where you can
join regular organized trips. The nearest proper' tackle shop I've found (so far) is in the old town part of Lagos, cheaper 'holiday' kit can be purchased at Intermarche superstore, Lagos. |
Fishing (Sea) |
Pescamar
Catch and Release Big Game fishing out of Lagos marina. Marlin, Shark & bottom fishing. 33ft sport fishing boat. Where: Full details and pricing at Marina de Lagos.
Tel Mobile: (+351) 966 193 431.
Fax: (+351) 282 789 272.
Web: Pescamar.info |
Fishing (Sea) |
Espadarte do
Sul
Complete fishing trips from Lagos harbour, including coastal trips, snorkelling and big game fishing.
Information provided daily from 8am to 7pm at the number below.
Tel: (+351) 282 761 820. |
Fishing (Sea) |
Surpesca.
Where: Rua de Santa Isabel, nº 35 - 8500 - 000 - Portimão
Tel Mobile: (+351) 966 003 147.
Fax: (+351) 282 415 136. |
Fishing (Sea) |
Vampira.
Where: Apartado 1308, 8125 - 000 - Quarteira - Loulé.
Tel: (+351) 289 313 939.
Fax: (+351) 289 313 160. |
Fishing (Sea) |
Estemar.
Where: Praia da Arrifana - Snack Bar "A Tasquinha" - Apartado 903-A, 8670 - 111 - Aljezur
Tel: (+351) 282 997 300. |
Flying |
Gerry Breen
Lagos Aerodrome offers plane and microlight flights, aviation courses and lessons.
Tel: (+351) 282 762 906.
Fax & Answerphone: (+351) 282 762 906.
Web: Gerry Breen |
Flying |
Aero Algarve
Sightseeing flights from £65.00 for up to three people. Plane rental, Workshops.
Where: Based at Portimao Aerodrome
Tel: (0351) 282 495 828 (Office)
Fax: (0351) 282 416 784
Mobile: (0351) 964 954 279 direct line to Ken Tomsett (Owner)
E-mail: info@AeroAlgarve.com
Web: Aeroalgarve.com |
Golf |
See the separate Golf page for details. |
Go Karting * * |
Karting Algarve
the circuit is a replica of the Jacarepagua Formula 1 circuit in Brazil. 160cc / 200cc / 400cc models available.
Where: Almancil - Situated 8 kilometres from Vilamoura and open all year round,
Tel: (+351) 289 399 899.
Web: Kartingalgarve.com |
Gym |
Ocean Club (Luz Bay)
A self-contained holiday centre with gym, 5 tennis courts and 3 swimming pools.
Where: Ocean Club (Luz Bay) Praia da Luz.
Tel: (+351) 282 789 764. |
Horse Riding |
Tiffany's
Riding Center
Rides:- |
Approximate riding time |
Price |
Lead-Rein (3 to 12 years old) |
± 20 minutes |
€10.00 |
Country |
± 1 hour |
€25.00 |
Beginners |
± 1 hour 20 mins. |
€35.00 |
Breakfast at "Tiffany's" |
± 1 hour 30 mins. |
€40.00 |
Pathfinder |
± 2 hour |
€45.00 |
Safari |
± 3 hour |
€65.00 |
Adventure |
± 5 hours* |
€100.00 |
Where: Vale Grifo, 1677-E Almádena, 8600-102 Luz de Lagos.
Tel: (+351) 282 697 395.
Fax: (+351) 282 697 395.
Web: Valegrifo.com |
Horse Riding |
Quinta
do Paraíso Alto
Where: Bensafrim, 8600 - Lagos.
Tel: (+351) 282 687 263 / (+351) 282 687 596 / (+351) 282 789 801.
Fax: (+351) 282 687 507 / (+351) 282 788 307. |
Horse Riding |
Horse Shoe
Ranch
Where: Apartado 43, 8501-903 - Mexilhoeira Grande.
Tel: (+351) 282 471 304
Fax: (+351) 282 471 304. |
Horse Riding |
Quinta do
Gil
Where: Estrada Nacional 125, Lombos 8400-411 - Lagoa
Tel Mobile: (+351) 966 619 136.
E-mail: jill@quinta-da-gill.com
Web: Quinta da Gill |
Horse Riding |
Herdade
do Castanheiro
Where: P- 8600-080 - Bensafrim, Lagos.
Tel / Fax: (+351) 282 687 502.
E-mail: herdade.do.castanheiro@netc.pt
Web: Herdadade do Castenheiro |
Horse Riding |
Centro
Hípico Vale de Ferro
Where: Mexilhoeira Grande - 8500 - Portimão
Tel: (+351) 282 968 444.
Fax: (+351) 282 968 443.
E-mail: valedeferro@iol.pt
Web: Algarvehorseholidays.com |
Horse Riding |
Quinta
Martins Riding Centre
Where: Areeiro, 8100 - Loulé
Tel: (+351) 289 395 529.
E-mail: mdickinson@sapo.pt
Web: Algarveriding.com |
Horse Riding |
Country
Riding Center
Where: Quinta da Palmeira - Norinha. 8300 - Silves
Tel Mobile: (+351) 917 976 995.
E-mail: info@countryridingcenter.com
Web: Countryridingcenter.com |
Horse Riding |
Herdade
Beiçudo Riding
Contact: Deborah or Henrique Ferra
Where: Vilharinha - Carrapateira. 8670 238 - Aljezur
Tel: (+351) 282 973 184.
Tel: (+351) 282 973 184.
Tel Mobile: (+351) 967 059 551.
Tel Mobile: (+351) 967 095 937. |
Jeep Safari |
Zebra Safari
Explore the Algarve interior from the back of an open topped 4WD. Various trips.
Be prepared for a bumpy ride!
Tel: (+351) 289 583 300. |
Land Yachting |
Blo-Karting
Where: On the right hand side on the N125 going toward Sagres.
Tel: (+351) 913 372 332 or 967 460 989 to find out wether Blokart Sagres is open before you travel. |
Lawn Bowls |
Lagos Country Club.
Tel: (+351) 282 620 600 -
Apparently up for sale will confirm 12/05) |
Lawn Bowls * |
Parque da Floresta Golf and Leisure
Club
Two all-weather Greengauge greens offering up to 14 Rinks.
Where: Parque da Floresta, Budens 8650-060
Tel: (+351) 282 690 000. |
Marina |
Marina de Lagos
Where: R. Marina Lt. 20, 8600-780 - Lagos.
Tel: (+351) 282 770 210. |
Marina |
Marina de Albufeira
Where: Orada, 8200-371 - Albufeira.
Tel: (+351) 289 510 180. |
Marina |
Marina de Portimão
Where: Pcta. Fortaleza Praia Rocha, 8500-000 - Portimao.
Tel: (+351) 282 770 210. |
Motorbike tours |
Sidecar
Experience A truly unique way of sightseeing. A couple of smart, comfortable Honda Gold Wing motorbikes with sidecars operate out of Lagos, by the
Marina ( just over the foot bridge ). Professional drivers. 1, 2 and 3 hour tours to Bravura, Sagres or Monchique. Tel: (+351) 914 307 907. |
MicroLight |
A British MicroLight training
school, adjacent to Lagos and 1km from Meia Praia beach.
Tel: (+351) 282 762 906. |
Mini Golf * |
Roma Golf
Park
Two 18 hole courses in a 'roman' setting. Miniature golf for children. Fountains, lakes and gardens for walking. Roman styled club house.
Where: Located right in the centre of Vilamoura and only five minutes walk from the Marina.
Caixa Postal 927, 8125 - Vilamoura.
Tel: (+351) 289 300 800.
Fax: (+351) 289 380 716.
E-mail: romagolfe@mail.telepac.pt
Web: Romagolf |
Mountain Biking |
AlternativTour
Monchique
Distance: 21 km, Terrain: tarmac / dirt track, Duration: 3-4 hours, Difficulty: average. Adults: €40. Children (to 15): €27, including equipment, transport, picnic, water and insurance.
Where: Sitio das Relvinhas, Apartado 122, 8550-909 - Monchique
Tel: (+351) 282 913 204.
Fax: (+351) 282 911 405.
Mobile: (+351) 965 004 337.
Web: Algarve Portal |
Museum |
Municipal Museum Dr José Formosinho
Exhibits include Neolithic artefacts, Roman mosaics found at Boca do Rio near Budens, fragments of statuary and columns, and other remains from excavations along the Algarve. Replicas of
the fret-cut chimneys of the Algarve, three-dimensional cork carvings, 16th-century vestments, ceramics, 17th-century embroidery, ecclesiastical sculpture. An art gallery, weapons, minerals, and
a coin collection.
Hours: Tues - Sun 09.30 - 12.00 and 14.00 - 17.00. Closed holidays.
Cost: Adults: €2 , Children (11-14): €1.
Where: Rua General Alberto Carlos Silveira - Lagos.
Tel: (+351) 282 762 301. |
Para-Gliding |
Para-Gliding
and Adventure Activities
Sulaventuras
Where: Monte Lemos - Apt 138, Praia da Luz, 8600 Lagos.
Tel: Miguel mobile: (+351) 919 498 280. Paulo mobile: (+351) 919 760 773.
Web: Sulaventuras.com - currently unavailable 03.2008 |
Sailing * |
O Cavalo Marinho.
Where: Vila Susana - Caliços, 8365 - 000 - Armação de Pêra, Silves.
Tel (Mobile): (+351) 262 577 464. Fax: (+351) 282 357 847. |
Sailing trips |
Bom Dia
Various trips out of Lagos marina.
Open: 1st March to 30 November. Prices below are for 2006 / 7. There are bound to be some increase for 2007 / 8.
● Grotto trips - Duration: 2 hours - 10:00, 12:00, 15.00, 17.00.
Cost: Adults: €17 Children: €8.50
● BBQ trips - Duration: 5 hours - 10:00, 14:00.
Cost: Adults: €37.00. Children: €18.50
Where: Shop No. 10, next to the Pizza Hut. Lagos Marina.
Tel: (+351) 282 764 670.
Fax: (+351) 917 810 761.
E-mail: info@bomdia.info
Web: Bomdia.info
Web: Algarve Retreats
Note: Another Captain / Boat contact in Lagos. |
Sailing trips |
Champagne Cruises
Various trips out of Villamoura marina. Champagne cruises. Charter hire.
● Dolphin Cruise - daily 10am - €55 per person
● Champagne Lunch Cruise: 12.30pm to 2.30pm - €75 per person
● Afternoon Coastal Cruise: 3pm to 5pm - €75 per person
● 2 hour Sunset Cruise: (times vary) - €75 per person
All above cruises based on a minimum of 4 passengers
● Private Charter: (2-8 hours) - €275 per hour. All Inclusive.
Where: Q5, Marina de Vilamoura, 8125-409 - Quarteira.
Tel Mobile: (+351) 965 656 675.
Web: Champagne Cruises |
Snorkelling and Scuba Diving |
Dive-time.net
The Algarve offers snorkelers and scuba divers excellent opportunities along the coast, especially in areas where the cliffs are high and the beaches rocky: Armacao de Pera and also from Praia
da Luz to Sagres. Equipment and instructions are available at Alvor,
Luz Bay Club (Praia da Luz) and Lagos. Also web search for Lagos-Sub, the local diving school. Lagos has a good diving school and gear rental information here.
Web: Pt.dive-time.net |
Snorkelling and Scuba Diving |
Escola de Mergulho Scubado.
Where: Apartado 28 - Porto da Baleeira, 8650 - 889 Sagres, Vila do Bispo.
Tel: (+351) 282 624 594.
Fax: (+351) 282 624 594. |
Snorkelling and Scuba Diving |
Blue Ocean Divers.
Where: Estrada de Porto de Mós, Motel Ancora - Apartado 789, 8600 - 909 , Lagos.
Tel (Mobile): (+351) 964 665 667.
Fax: (+351) 282 767 244. |
Sports Centre |
Offers 3 tennis courts, swimming pool, well-equipped gym, two squash courts, table tennis, bar
and restaurant. There are children's football and tennis coaching sessions. There is also 18 piece circuit training Monday to Friday. Chalet-style accommodation available.
Where: Burgau
Tel: (+351) 282 697 350. |
Squash |
Luz Bay Club
Praia da Luz - The club offers tennis, squash, sauna and a Turkish bath at reasonable rates (£7 for an adult for use of most facilities in peak season and £4 for a child).
Where: Rua do Jardim, 8600-565 Praia da Luz.
Tel: (+351) 282 789 640. |
Surfing |
The Surf Experience
Where: P.O. Box 612 - 8600. Lagos
Tel: (+351) 282 760964. Fax: (+351) 282 767 288.
EMail: thesurfexperience@hotmail.com.
Web: Thesurfexperience.de |
Surfing |
Windsurf Point.
Where: Estrada da Meia Praia, Bairro 1º de Maio, 48600-315. Lagos
Tel: (+351) 282 792 315 |
Surfing * * |
Torpedo Diving.
Where: Aldeia do Mar - Apartado 931, 8125 - 000 - Vilamoura, Loulé.
Tel: (+351) 289 314 098. |
Swimming Pool |
Pescine
A handy find. A large swimming pool with a separate children's pool. Loungers etc. Snack Bar.
Cost: Adults: €5.00. Children: €2.50 for the day. (2006)
Open: from 09.00 to 23.00 (peak season).
Where: Access from the ground floor of the Commercial Centre through a small doorway marked Pescine (opposite the entrance to Boozey Soozeys bar).
Praia da Luz. |
Tenpin Bowling * |
American-style bowling alley.
Where: A bit of a drive to Praia da Rocha. Located just off the sea front near the Hotel Jupiter.
Tel: (+351) 282 483 812. |
Walking |
There is a cliff top walk from Luz to Burgau. The return walk takes about 3 hours. Until I have
more information try
this link for more details. |
Walking tours |
Julie Statham organises walking tours covering many areas in the western Algarve. They are
always at a gentle pace and suitable for all levels of fitness.
Where: Portugal Walks, 37 Quinta do Montinho, Budens. 8650 - 060 - Vila Do Bispo
Tel: (+351) 282 698 676 or (+351) 965 753 033.
Web: Portugalwalks |
Walking |
AlternativTour Monchique
Trail A - Semedeiro – Picota - Caldas de Monchique
Trail B - Monchique - Fóia – Monchique
Trail C - Bica Boa – Fonte Santa
Sitio das Relvinhas. Apartado 122. 8550-909 - Monchique
Tel: (+351) 282 913 204.
Fax: (+351) 282 911 405.
Mobile: (+351) 965 004 337.
Web: Algarve Portal |
Waterpark * |
Slide & Splash
Opened in 1986. One of the biggest and the best in Europe (6.5 hectares).It has two self-service-restaurants, pizzerias, an ice cream-parlour and several kiosks. 25,000 square meters of lawn,
a 1,500 square meter pool for children, a 1,600 square meter main swimming pool. Coach collection from Lagos and Praia da Luz (must be pre-booked, the booking agency on the promenade can do this
for you).
Season: March to October. Open 10.00 to 17.00 (low season) 18.00 (high season).
Cost: €16 Adults, €13 Children / OAPs (2006)
Where: Access from the N125 or junction 6 on the A22. 7km east of Portimao.
Lagoa. Web: Slidesplash |
Waterpark * |
Aqualand Algarve
The biggest Water Park in Portugal. A Family day out. Wave Pool, Flying Carpets, Raging Rapids, Kamikaze etc.
Open: from 2nd May to 23rd September 2006. Open daily from 10.00 to 18.00.
Where: On the N125 just past Portimao. Signed and visible from the main road. About 45 minutes from Luz. 10km west of Albufeira.
Apartado 11, 8365-908 - Alcantarilha.
Tel: (+351) 282 320 230
Fax: (+351) 282 322 828
E-mail: comercial@aspro-ocio.es
Web: Aspro-ocio.es |
Waterpark * |
Wild Waters
Where: Montechoro Park, near Albufeira. |
Waterpark * |
Atlantico
Where: near Vilamoura. |
Waterpark * |
Aqualine
Where: near Monte Gordo. |
Water-Skiing |
Usually only available in peak season water-skiing can be found at the beaches of Vale do Lobo,
Vilamoura, Praia d'Oura, Albufeira, Armacao de Pera, Alvor, Praia da Rocha and (Ocean Club) Praia da Luz. |
Windsurfing |
Windsurfing is very popular along the coast. Experienced windsurfers can rent a rig and
newcomers can sign up for tuition at most of the beaches along the Algarve including Quinta do Lago, Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura, Albufeira and (Ocean Club) Praia da Luz. |
Yacht Charter |
Southwest Charters
Charter, Days out, Exploration, Tuition. Irish owned. Offices above Do Cais restaurant (centre of the marina).
Where: Centro Comercial, Loja 34 - Marina de Lagos. 8600 - 780
Tel: (+351) 282 792 681.
Fax: (+351) 282 792 682.
Mobile: (+351) 919 231 962.
Web: Southwestcharters |
Zoo |
Krazy World
A great little zoo. Bars / Restaurants. Mini Golf. Petting zoo. Approx Euros 17 (adult), Euros 10 (5 to 12 years), Free (under 5).
Where: Located at Algoz about 10km from Lagos. Road signed from the marina roundabout at Lagos
Tel: (+351) 282 574 134.
Fax: (+351) 282 574 898.
Web: Krazy World |
ZOO Lagos |
With more than 300 animals from 150 species (2004) such as
wallabies, monkeys, lemurs and exotic birds, all kept in good conditions. A natural and extensive habitat in the village of Barão de S. João, in the Algarve mountains. Open daily from 10am. Approx
€8.
Where: Quinta das Figueiras, Sítio do Medronhal - Barão de S. João. 8600 - 013 - Lagos.
Tel: (+351) 282 680 100.
Fax: (+351) 282 680 109. |
Marine Zoo * |
Zoomarine
Amusement Park. Swimming pools for both adults and children and a few shops and restaurants. Has an interactive Dolphin program (€130).
Adults - €19.90 or €27.30 inc. transport
Children (5 to10 years) - €12.20 or €16.40 inc. transport
Seniors ( over 65 years) - €12.20 or €16.40 inc. transport
Transport: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, between May and October, a bus leaves Espiche at 08.40 hours calling at 3 stops in Praia da Luz and many places in Lagos
arriving at Zoomarine at 10.30 hours, and returning at 17.30 hours.
Where: 40 kilometres ( 25 miles ) from Luz.
1 Guia - Albufeira |