Casa de Maio

Places to Visit
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Nearest Towns
Messines -Säo Bartolomeu de Messines has a sixteenth century church, banks, a cinema and many cafes and some very reasonably priced excellent restaurants, e.g. Fernando's. There is a large indoor market selling fruit and vegetables, several mini-markets and a good supermarket called Ecomarche.
Silves -Silves was the capital of the Moorish kings of the al-Gharb in medieval times. It has a castle, museum and cathedral. There are numerous eating places and for weekly shopping, the supermarkets Lidls and Modelos.
Algoz -Algoz has two churches, the Church of Our Lady of Pilar is a national monument. There is a produce market and a large outdoor market held on the second Monday in the month that is popular with both locals and tourists. Krazy World is a fun park for children and adults with mini-golf, pools, pet farm and zoo.
Guia -The Algarve Shopping complex in Guia houses the Continente hypermarket and smart shops selling fashionable clothes and jewellery. There are cinemas, a bowling alley and a large food hall on the upper floor with the popular eateries serving burgers, chicken dishes and pizzas and Mexican and other restaurants. Nearby is a retail park with a Nike store and a Pingo Doce supermarket. Opposite Algarve Shopping is a Makro store and Aldi supermarket.
The Zoomarine park is ideal for a family day out. There are gardens, swimming pools, amusement rides and shows featuring dolphins, seals and sharks and the amazing experience of swimming with the dolphins.

Coastal Towns/Beaches (East to West)
Quarteira & Vilamoura -Quarteira has a fine seafront and beach and one of the Algarve's highest rated seafood restaurants, O Jacinto. Less expensive but also highly recommended is Rosa Branca on the sea front facing the beach. About every hour a toy train runs along the seafront to the marina at Vilamoura.
Worth a visit to see the number of impressive yachts moored in the marina, Vilamoura is very upmarket with many hotels and some exclusive golf courses. Kadoc, situated on the outside of the town is the Algarve's biggest disco.
Albufeira -A typical seaside resort Albufeira has many beautiful beaches of fine sand beneath grey-red rocks and cliffs. As well as the many shops, bars, restaurants and discos there are the remains of a Moorish castle and the church of São Sebastião to visit.
Continuing Westward -Armacão de Péra, Praia de Rocha, Carvoeiro, Ferragudo beach and Portimão are all worth a visit if you have time.
Lagos -Dating back to at least the fifth century Lagos has some magnificent churches, a museum, marina, fort, resevoir and zoo. The beaches are mostly small coves beneath the cliff faces. Outlying rock formations make for some stunning scenic views.
Cabo de São Vicente -The equivalent of Britain's Lands End, Cabo de São Vicente has the most powerful lighthouse in Europe. The rugged cliffs have enabled the marine life to flourish and includes many rare examples of birdlife. The town has a Roman history and became a Christian shrine. Sir Frances Drake plundered the coast and buildings were destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. Only the remains of a sixteenth-century Capuchin convent and the lighthouse have survived.

Leisure Activities
Golf -The Algarve has many golf courses the nearest of which is the Salgados at Armacão de Péra. The course has a driving range, practice bunker, putting and chipping greens, restaurant and bar/terrace, beachbar and modern clubhouse.
Horse-riding -The Country Riding Centre at Silves has 16 horses, takes all levels of riders and offers lessons and half-day rides with picnic.
Bird Watching -Many different species of birds inhabit the Algarve thanks to its several kinds of natural landscapes. Salgados Lagoon, near Armacão de Péra is reckoned to be one of the most interesting and fascinating places for birdwatching in the Algarve.