Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Carnaval
Just before Lent, Loulé shimmies into something sexy and sequinned, with parades,
tractor-drawn floats and lots of musical hijinks. Friday is the children's parade, and
Sunday the big one. Held in late February or early March.
RELIGIOUS
FestivalMed
(
www.festivalmed.com.pt
)
Having been an attraction since 2006, FestivalMed is fast gaining a
reputation as a quality world-music festival, attracting the likes of Jamaican performer
Jimmy Cliff and other international performers. Held in late June.
WORLD MUSIC
Nossa Senhora da Piedade
Linked to ancient maternity rites, this
romaria
(religious festival) is the Algarve's most
important. On Easter Sunday a 16th-century image of Our Lady of Pity (or Piety) is car-
ried down from its hilltop chapel, 2km north of town, to the parish church. Two weeks
later, a procession of devotees lines the steep route to the chapel to witness its return.
RELIGIOUS
Sleeping
Casa Beny
( 967 936 067, 289 417 702; casabeny.g@gmail.com; Rua São Domingos 13; d €50-55; )
In a pleas-
antly restored mansion dating from 1897, Casa Beny offers nine peachy rooms, each with
Brazilian hardwood floors, a touch of '80s-style pine, tall ceilings and French doors. The
rooftop terrace has castle views.
GUESTHOUSE
€
Hospedaria Dom Fernando
( 289 415 553; Travessa do Mercado; s/d €45/65; )
This option offers two different choices: a
newer section, above the owner's restaurant, with simple, modern rooms, or those in the
neighbouring building, which are showing signs of age in the decor department, but are
adequate and cheaper (these cost €10 less per person). In an excellent location, behind the
market, although you'll be in the thick of it (think noise and action) during festival times.
GUESTHOUSE
€€
Loulé Jardim Hotel
HOTEL
€€
