Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Loulé
POP 26,700
One of the Algarve's largest inland towns, and only 16km northwest of Faro, Loulé (lo-
lay
) is a reasonable base from which to explore the inland Algarve. A busy commercial
centre, it is one of the fastest-growing towns in Portugal, as people use this as a base to
work (or seek work) in the Algarve. Loulé has an attractive old quarter and Moorish castle
ruins and its history spans back to the Romans. A few of Loulé's artisan traditions still
survive; crafty folk toil away on wicker baskets, copperworks and embroidery at hole-in-
the-wall workshops about town. Loulé's small university lends it some verve, as does its
wild Carnaval (just before Lent) and FestivalMed, an annual music festival.
If arriving by train, note that the train station is 5km southwest of town (take any
Quarteira-bound bus).
