ALGARVE RENT A CAR
CALL OUR LONDON OFFICE ON
0207 193 8171 FOR THE BEST PRICES

algarve car hire algarve rent a car

Algarve Car Hire
London Office
0207 193 8171

[ Albufeira Algarve Car Hire ][Vilamoura Algarve Car Hire][ Lagos Algarve Car Hire ][ Portimão Algarve Car Hire][ Praia da Rocha Algarve Car Hire]

 

We also have offices in Lagos so we are close to you all the way.

The beaches around Lagos are some of the most beautiful of the Algarve, like Praia de Dona Ana, which can be reached after a 25 minutes walk from the center of the town, Praia do Camilo, a bit further on, and Meia Praia, whose sands stretch for 4 km (2.5 miles) east of Lagos. However, it is the promontory named Ponta da Piedade and sheltering the bay of Lagos which is most admired by visitors, with its caves, rocks and wonderfully transparent waters. North of Lagos, Barragem de Bravura is a water reservoir offering fine views.


Apart from its animated lifestyle, the one learns that this was a fishing village and that its importance grew under the Arabs, which built several fortifications. It turned into an important naval center in the age of the Discoveries, in the 15th century; became the capital of the Algarve from 1576 to 1756 and was greatly damaged by the earthquake of 1755; thus its beautiful 18th and 19th century buildings. A fine new marina welcomes boats sailing in from the Atlantic.
Odiáxere - A picturesque village of white walled houses. Nearby there are panoramic views over Lagos bay. Main Church - Rebuilt in the 18th century, it has a fine doorway of red Silo es sandstone. Exuberantly decorated in the Manueline style (16th century). Plain interior. The altars have 18th century icons including a Christ in Indo Portuguese ivory notably for its dramatic expression. There is a border of 17th century tiles. There are good views over Lagos bay from nearby.
Barragem da Bravura - A man made lake stretching out beneath broad, mountainous horizons. A place to relax and enjoy nature. Excellent view point.
Bensafrim - A typical small town, surrounded by hills, looking down on the sea. It has a church with some valuable works of art. The Forte Velha necropolis is situated nearby. Dating back to the Iron Age, it was later used in the Roman era and also includes a press. At Corte de Bispo there are some remains of Roman ruins.
Luz - A fishing port nestling between cliffs, which in spite of being an important tourist centre; it maintains its traditional and typical character. Main Church - The church is medieval in origin. Its main chapel has a gothic triumphal arch and vaults. The retable of the main altar is decorated with gilded carving in the baroque style (18th century). Also to be found are the ruins of an important Roman '"villa" . with mosaics and pools. There is a small aqueduct to channel water from Quinta da Luz. Next to the beach are tanks for salting fish, probably built by the Carthaginians and then used by the Romans. Rising above the beach is the old fort of Nossa Senhora da Luz (Our Lady of Light) (17th century), which has now been turned into a restaurant. Nearby, at Cerro de Lorvão, there is a Roman burial ground. The Miradouro da Atalaia, 108 m (360 feet), offers sweeping views along the coast.



Ponte da Piedade - A huge rock formation hollowed out by the sea. The bold colours of the strangely shaped rock yellow, ochre, red - contrast with the crystal blue of the sea. There is access by boat to innumerable beautiful sea caves and hollows. The lighthouse stands near to the site of an old coastal defence fortification.
Barão de São João - A village on the edge of the forest that boasts a variety of tree species. Lots of shade and a peaceful atmosphere.
Beaches



Are you looking for long beaches where the sand and the ocean get lost in the horizon? Do you prefer cosy beaches hidden among colourful rocks, far from the world? Make up you mind and choose one of the wonderful beaches on the Lagos coast.
Meia Praia or São Roque - This broad expanse of sand stretches for 4 km (2.5 miles) and offers all kinds of facilities for those who enjoy water sports. On the isthmus of the Alvor bar stands Meia Praia fort, which defended Lagos bay in the 17th and 18th centuries. Historians say that it was off these beaches that the galleons carrying the treasure of Moctezuma, an Aztec emperor captured by the soldiers of Herman Cortez, were shipwrecked in 1522.
Batata, Estudantes, Homers, Pinhão, Dona Ana and Camilo - Sandy coves tucked between brightly coloured cliffs, these beaches include some interesting rock formations. Calm and clear water. Many believe these to be the most delightful beaches in the Algarve.
Canavial and Porto de Mós - Long beaches between cliffs. Tourist facilities.
Luz - A tourist centre with a cosmopolitan flavour. Large beach.
Dona Maria - A calm and isolated beach



Golf
Palmares The course is a showpiece for the imagination of Frank Pennink, one of the most prolific golf course designers in Portugal. The reputation of the course - a Par 71 - derives from its skilful use of two different kinds of landscape, as well as its excellent level of maintenance.
Boavista Boavista enjoys a beautiful location in the Western Algarve on a headland between Lagos and Praia da Luz, commanding magnificent views of the bay of Lagos, and the distance Monchique hills.


Lodging
Hotel Tivoli Lagos
In the very heart of the ancient and picturesque city of Lagos, the Tivoli Lagos was planned with all the character and charm of a small village sown with gardens.
The Tivoli Lagos has 315 rooms, including 12 suites, 105 double rooms, 155 standard twin rooms and 43 "Club" twin rooms.
The rooms, suites, restaurants, bar, the various and spacious living rooms, arcades, patios and swimming pools all flow into each other, creating a unique and welcoming atmosphere.


Hotel Marina São Roque
Hotel Marina São Roque offers 33 very comfortable rooms with balcony, bath and wc, air conditioned, direct-dial telephone, satellite TV and safe. Enjoy our facilities: a swimming pool, bar and restaurant, reading, TV and games room A large sun terrace located on the roof top overlooking Lagos, the marina and the beach. Sports activities at your disposal.




Quinta de São Roque
Offering the highest quality accommodation in an unequalled location, the resort of Quinta de São Roque will not disappoint even the most discerning guests. Comprising of 17 spacious townhouses and 40 luxuriously appointed apartments, Quinta de São Roque exudes quality.




Porto D. Maria
Selfcatering Apartments, Villas and Town Houses.
A guaranteed privacy, the blue of the sea and the warm colours of the land are waiting for you in Porto D. Maria. Re-discover an Algarve that everybody thought lost in this 4 hectares project on the seashore of an untouched area

Faro Airport
London Office
0207 193 8171

ALGARVE CAR HIRE
CALL OUR LONDON OFFICE ON
0207 193 8171 FOR THE BEST PRICES
algarve car hire, car hire algarve,faro car hire

FARO AIRPORT   LAGOS   VILAMOURA   PRAIA DA ROCHA
FAX +351 289 818 586

PHONE +351 289 818 580

UK FREE CALL: 0800 0324979

  FAX +351 282 789 510

PHONE +351 282 789 510

UK FREE CALL: 0800 0324979

  FAX +351 289 302 166

PHONE +351 289 313 030

UK FREE CALL: 0800 0324979

 

FAX +351 282 417 555

PHONE +351 282 417 171

UK FREE CALL: 0800 0324979



Algarve Car Hire, Portugal Car Hire, Faro Airport Car Hire, Lagos Car Hire, Luz Car Hire, Algarve Car Rental, All Inclusive Car Hire, Algarve Cars, Last Minute Car Hire,

Copyright © Algarve Car Hire Lda
Best Resolution 1024*768 @ 32 bits
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0
Webmaster

Copyright 2006 www.algarvehire.com


PORTIMÃO -

[ Mexilhoeira Grande, Alvor, Portimão ]

Portimão Besides Faro, Portimão is another essential commercial centre of the Algarve. It is far busier as a town rather than a holiday resort, although it is still geared towards tourism, but commercial orientation is important. The old harbour and parks alongside the river are welcoming and pleasant. The fisherman's port restaurants serve grilled sardines and other fresh fish. The fish served is the morning catch from the fishing boats that dock next to the restaurants. Leisure cruises, as in other marinas are available in abundance and a worthwhile trip to see the coastline from the sea. There are full-day cruises, half-day cruises or 3-hour cruises available from the very same docks. For Big Game fishing, this is also the best place to organise an excursion. Portimão is also ideal for shopping with a large variety of traditional and interesting artefacts, as well as for shoes and clothes, especially leatherwear and embroided linen. There is an abundance of restaurants available for all tastes.


FARO -

[ Sta Bárbara de Nexe, Estói, Conceição, Faro (S.Pedro e Sé), Montenegro ]

This Roman town called Ossonoba became a Bishop's seat in the 4th century and kept it even after the Visigoth occupation in the 5th century. The Arabs occupied Faro in the 8th century and rebuilt the city wall. Later Faro became the capital of an independent Arabian kingdom, ruled by the family Harun. The Portuguese King Afonso III conquered faro in 1249 and integrated in Portuguese territory. In this time the most important part of the town was still the Inner town, surrounded by the wall, where the church of Santa Maria, now a Cathedral was built. Faro became once more bishop's seat in 1577. From the 16th Century, we have the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Assunção and the Bishop´s palace. In the 17th century Faro continued to grow as several religious buildings were built as well as a new defensive wall known as "Cerca Seisentista". In the 18th Century two beautiful baroque churches were built: the church of São Francisco and the Carmo church. Unfortunately, the earthquake of 1755 destroyed many buildings, which were rebuilt afterwards. Faro is the capital of the Algarve since 1756. Some of the most important infrastructures of Faro are the International Airport, University of the Algarve - 8000 students and the District Hospital.

- TAVIRA -

[ Cachopo, Sta. Catarina da Fonte do Bispo, Tavira Sta. Maria, Sto. Estevão, Luz, Tavira Santiago, Sta. Luzia, Conceição, Cabanas de Tavira ]

Tavira is a charming town, which lies 20km northeast of Olhão. Tavira was developed during the Moorish occupation and became one of the largest and most important ports in the Algarve during the 15th century. Due to the gradual silting of the Gião River, trading dropped and tuna fishing became the main commercial activity. Towards the 1970's there was also a decline in this industry due to the depletion of tuna in the area and fishermen had to move further south and westward along the Moroccan coast. Tavira boasts of 27 churches, but many of them are only open for services. The Church of Santa Maria do Castelo contains the tomb of Dom Paio Peres Correia, who took Tavira from the Moors in 1224. The Igreja do Carmo is worthwhile visiting for it's interior. As in many towns in the Algarve, many of the historic buildings were destroyed in the Great Earthquake and so many of the old buildings found in Tavira date back to the late 18th century.

- ALBUFEIRA -

[ Guia, Albufeira, Ferreiras, Paderne, Olhos de Água ]

In Roman times Albufeira was called Baltum. There are Roman bridges in Paderne and Guia. Arabs occupied the town in the 8th century and renamed it Al- Buhera, which means, "Castle on the Sea". During 5 centuries of Arabian rule, Al-Buhera had an intensive trade with North Africa. Together with Faro it was one of the last Arabian strongholds to be conquered by the Portuguese in 1250. King Manuel gave Albufeira a new charter in 1404, granting it the status of town. The earthquake of 1755 damaged a great part of Albufeira. A second disaster happened in 1833 during a civil war between liberals and absolutists.