Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Faro
(€3.25, 40 minutes, hourly weekdays, fewer weekends)
If heading to Portimão on a weekday, change at Albufeira. On weekends there are three
direct buses (€5.45, 1½ hours). Express buses head to Lisbon (€20, 3¾ hours, four to five
daily).
CAR
If driving, parking can be tricky in Loulé - park on the edge of town. Note, however, nev-
er leave valuables in your car - travellers have reported theft.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Serra do Caldeirão
Lying around 30km north of Loulé is the stunning region of Serra do Caldeirão, a beauti-
ful protected area of undulating hills, cork trees and harsh scrubland. The area is
renowned for its bird varieties. It's an excellent place to hike - the Via Algarviana goes
through here - and a wonderful spot to base oneself to meander through some ancient vil-
lages and enjoy the region's cuisine. A feature of the region are its
fontes
(traditional wa-
ter sources, many of which comprise exquisite taps and fountains), highlighted by signs
that have been erected in recent years.
Perched on a hillside on the edge of Serra do Caldeirão,
Alte
, located 45km northwest
of Loulé, is a quaint and very pretty little village. In high season visitors are disgorged
from buses for a quick-see experience. Boasting flower-filled streets, whitewashed build-
ings and several
fontes
, it's a pleasant place to wander for an hour or so. The
fontes
were
traditionally used for the mills and former wells; a main
fonte
, Fonte Grande passes
through dykes, weirs and watermills. Several
artesanatos
(handicrafts shops) are dotted
around town, as are several restaurants and cafes.
Tourist information is available in
Pólo Museológico Cândido Guerreiro e Condes de Alte
( 289
478 058; Rua Condes de Alte; 12.30-3pm Mon-Fri)
, a museum- cultural space that pays
homage to Alte's famous poet, Guerreiro, and the Counts of Alte who lived there. It dis-
plays the topics and paraphernalia of all.
If travelling by car, pass through the small, sleepy and attractive town of
Salir
. It's a
pleasant, very genuine village set on two hills with castle walls dating from the 12th cen-
tury and has an attractive church. Salir has a small
tourismo
(
289 489 137; Largo do Castelo;
9am-12.30 & 2-5.30pm Mon-Fri)
near the castle.
