Travel Guide by Shuttle Direct
  • Home
  • WHAT WE OFFER
  • DESTINATIONS
  • Guides
    • Albania
    • Algeria
    • Andorra
    • Armenia
    • Austria
    • Belarus
    • Belgium
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Bulgaria
    • Croatia
    • Cyprus
    • Czech Republic
    • Denmark
    • Egypt
    • Estonia
    • Finland
    • France
    • Georgia
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Hungary
    • Iceland
    • Ireland
    • Israel
    • Italy
    • Korea Republic
    • Latvia
    • Liechtenstein
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg
    • Macedonia
    • Malta
    • Moldova
    • Monaco
    • Montenegro
    • Morocco
    • Netherlands
    • Norway
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Romania
    • Russia
    • San Marino
    • Serbia
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • Spain
    • State of Kuwait
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Thailand
    • Tunisia
    • Turkey
    • Ukranie
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United Kingdom
    • Vatican
    • News
    • Web Discounts and Coupons
MY BOOKING
  • en
HELP

Walk through Nature and Culture in Alvor

Portugal, Travel Guides | 13 March, 2018 | 0 | by Eleanore Nash
Walk through Nature and Culture in Alvor

As a traditional Portuguese fishing village, Alvor is a charming seaside resort that boasts picturesque cobbled streets, quaint white-washed houses and an array of small boats. Its long sandy beaches are the perfect place to relax, while its town centre is filled with lively restaurants, cafes and bars. Its biggest selling point, though, is the wealth of natural attractions and cultural edifices that are just waiting to be discovered.

Explore Alvor’s Nature Reserve

Arguably Alvor’s most wonderful attraction, the nature reserve spreads across close to 1500 hectares and is home to an array of birds, animals, plants and insects. It stretches out from the beach up to the cliffs at Quinta da Rocha and then back inland along the Alvor River towards Mexilhoeira Grande village. The best way of exploring the numerous habitats of this mini-ecosystem is to go on one of the numerous walks. You can stroll down the extensive boardwalk on the beach, wander along the river or hike up the cliffs.

The Wetland System

The impressive wetland system is fed by four different freshwater streams, which fill the shallow lagoon. It also includes saltpans, salt marshes and mudflats. Its waters are home to a wide variety of colourful fish, while its shores attract many aquatic birds, including the beautiful Bluethroat, the Little Stint and the Water Pipit. You should also keep your eyes peeled for Cistanche flowers, huge and bright yellow plants that bloom on the edges of the river.

Flora and Fauna

The nature reserve also boasts sand dunes, where a range of animals and reptiles reside. In the early morning or late evening, you should be able to spot the wood mice, hedgehogs and foxes coming out of their dens. There are also ladder Snakes, Algerian sand lizards and ocellated lizards hidden within these dunes.

Towards the end of winter, the plants begin to bloom. Interesting and rare species sprout from the sand, such as the sea medick or the sea stock, while others emerge from the wet ground, such as the camphor thyme. Together they form a beautiful floral display.

Bird Watching

Alvor’s reserve is one of the best places to go birdwatching. Not only is the river a stop-off for migrating birds, but it also has resident birds that are there all year round. If you’re there at the right time, you’ll see flocks of dunlin, redshanks and knots, while kestrels, grey herons and little egrets can be spotted at any time. Flamingos, black-winged stilts and avocets also roam the area. If you head towards the cliffs, you’ll find nests of rock pigeons and alpine swifts, while the wooded areas are home to great spotted woodpeckers, Sardinian warblers, stone pines and many more.

Discover Alvor’s Culture and Heritage

As one of the oldest villages in the Algarve, Alvor has an interesting and intricate history. It was founded by the Carthaginians and was later expanded into a large port by the Romans. Many of the Roman edifices can still be explored today.

Visit the Church

Known as the Mother Church, Alvor’s Igreja Matriz is a stunning piece of architecture. It was first built in the 1500s, but underwent remodelling two centuries later. The three naves are from the original structure, while the exquisite main portal, which is carved in the Manueline style, is a more recent addition. Inside, decorative panels line the church walls. There’s also a beautifully carved wooden altar.

See the Moorish Alvor Castle

This thirteenth-century castle was once an imposing fortification built with a combination of red sandstone, limestone, rubble and fragmented pottery. It was strategically erected near the Alvor River to provide both protection for its residents and access to the economic activities of the port. Though only its ruins remain today, the port of entry, the foundations of a tower and the thickest walls can still be seen.

Wander Around the Portimão Museum

This fascinating museum retraces Alvor’s maritime culture. There are three main exhibitions: the first explores the town’s transformation from a rural Roman city to its modern industrial self, while the second provides additional details on the fish canning industry. The third gives an overview of the fauna and flora on Alvor’s shores.

How to Get to Alvor

The easiest way of getting to Alvor is to fly to Faro Airport. British Airways, as well as various low budget airlines, offer direct three-hour flights from London. You can then book an airport transfer with Shuttle Direct and have a friendly driver take you straight to Alvor. It’s a picturesque hour-long journey.

alvor

Where to Stay

Turim Estrela do Vau Hotel: Located near the beach, this luxury complex offers private apartments with balconies and a pool. Rooms are modern and equipped with a kitchenette, air-conditioning and a bathroom. There is also a spa with sun loungers, hot tubs, massages and Turkish baths.

Clube Alvorferérias: Situated just a ten-minute walk from the historic centre, these apartments boast comfortable seating areas, kitchens and private bathrooms. There is also an outdoor pool and a Portuguese restaurant on site.

PestanaAlvor Park Hotel Apartamento: These luxury apartment feature balconies, kitchenettes and spacious seating areas, while also providing panoramic views of Alvor. You’ll also have access to the spa facilities, including indoor and outdoor pools,Turkish baths and massage services.

About Shuttle Direct

Shuttle Direct is a top-notch transport provider that offers comfortable and convenient airport transfers in North Africa and Europe. You can pre-book your private, group or shared transfer via their user-friendly website.

AlvorFAOPortugal

About the Author

Eleanore Nash

Eleanore Nash

Eleanore is a second-year student of English literature at the University of York. She started her writing career as a columnist for a local paper in Norfolk when she was fourteen, and has since worked for various newspapers and marketing companies, joining the LeadGeneratorsDigital team in 2016. Growing up at the crossroads of Europe (or Strasbourg, France), she was immersed in an international environment and developed a fascination for other cultures and languages (of which she has four in her repertoire). Having travelled across Europe and to the sandy beaches of Mexico, she still has a particular fondness for Italy and its mouth-watering cuisine. She has also explored most French cities (and canyoned, rafted, climbed or ziplined down its mountain ranges). Outside of university, you’ll find Eleanore on the athletics track or in the swimming pool practicing for her next competition.
View all posts by Eleanore Nash →
Previous
Sensational Swizzles, Part II: Germany
Next
A Hipster’s Guide to Málaga

Related Posts

  • Relax and Get to Know the Highlights of Cabanas de Tavira

    Relax and Get to Know the Highlights of Cabanas de Tavira

  • A Culture Fuelled Trip to Armação de Pêra

    A Culture Fuelled Trip to Armação de Pêra

  • Get Wet and Wild in Praia da Luz

    Get Wet and Wild in Praia da Luz

  • Little Ones and Adults Alike Will Love Lisbon

    Little Ones and Adults Alike Will Love Lisbon

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Origin not known. Check the value and select between results suggested.

Destination not known. Check the value and select between results suggested.

You should at least select 1 passenger.

No

Additional Luggage?

Passengers Done
  • + -

  • + -

You should at least select 1 adult passenger.

Please indicate child age.

Additional Luggage Done

Each passenger may carry one standard piece of luggage and one small item of hand luggage (for example a handbag or laptop). If you have additional or extra large baggage or sporting equipment, select from the options below:

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

  • + +

Outbound journey Done
Flight arrival date
Flight arrival time

Please insert the date and time of your flight arrival (not take off), as informed by the airline. The driver will take into account luggage collection and inmigration formalities.

:

Please please select hours.

Please please select mins.

Return journey
Done Flight return date
Flight departure time

Please insert the date and time the flight takes off, as informed by the airline. The pick-up time will be calculated automatically taking into account journey time and check-in time at airport.

:

Please please select hours.

Please please select mins.

ShuttleDirect

    banner

    Search

    Follow

    Categories

    • Albania
    • Algeria
    • Andorra
    • Armenia
    • Austria
    • Azerbaijan
    • Bahrain
    • Belarus
    • Belgium
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Brazil
    • Bulgaria
    • China
    • Costa Rica
    • Country Profile
    • Croatia
    • Cyprus
    • Czech Republic
    • Denmark
    • Discounts & Coupons
    • Dominican Republic
    • Egypt
    • Estonia
    • Finland
    • Foodie Posts
    • France
    • Georgia
    • Germany
    • Greece
    • Hong Kong
    • Hungary
    • Iceland
    • Indonesia
    • Infographics
    • Ireland
    • Israel
    • Italy
    • Japan
    • Katar
    • Korea Republic
    • latest news
    • Latvia
    • Liechtenstein
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg
    • Macau
    • Macedonia
    • Malta
    • Moldova
    • Monaco
    • Montenegro
    • Morocco
    • Netherlands
    • Norway
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Recipes
    • Romania
    • Route Guides
    • Russia
    • San Marino
    • Serbia
    • Sin categoría @en
    • Singapore
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • Spain
    • State of Kuwait
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Thailand
    • Travel Guides
    • Tunisia
    • Turkey
    • Ukraine
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United Kingdom
    • Vatican
    • vietnam
    • vietnam
    • Discover the Culture and Traditions of Salou

      Discover the Culture and Traditions of Salou

      15 January, 2017 | 0
    • Business Travel: A Guide to Bologna

      Business Travel: A Guide to Bologna

      5 May, 2017 | 0
    • Discovering Dubai from Sunrise to Sunset: Our Tips

      Discovering Dubai from Sunrise to Sunset: Our Tips

      1 October, 2018 | 0

    Archives

    • November 2020 (3)
    • October 2020 (2)
    • September 2020 (2)
    • August 2020 (3)
    • July 2020 (5)
    • June 2020 (13)
    • May 2020 (6)
    • April 2020 (6)
    • March 2020 (8)
    • February 2020 (6)
    • January 2020 (7)
    • December 2019 (11)
    • November 2019 (8)
    • October 2019 (8)
    • September 2019 (10)
    • August 2019 (15)
    • July 2019 (13)
    • June 2019 (15)
    • May 2019 (22)
    • April 2019 (22)
    • March 2019 (21)
    • February 2019 (20)
    • January 2019 (22)
    • December 2018 (33)
    • November 2018 (32)
    • October 2018 (34)
    • September 2018 (35)
    • August 2018 (35)
    • July 2018 (30)
    • June 2018 (32)
    • May 2018 (31)
    • April 2018 (30)
    • March 2018 (31)
    • February 2018 (34)
    • January 2018 (30)
    • December 2017 (33)
    • November 2017 (26)
    • October 2017 (23)
    • September 2017 (24)
    • August 2017 (37)
    • July 2017 (23)
    • June 2017 (26)
    • May 2017 (27)
    • April 2017 (27)
    • March 2017 (28)
    • February 2017 (24)
    • January 2017 (23)
    • December 2016 (20)
    • November 2016 (29)
    • October 2016 (30)
    • September 2016 (32)
    • August 2016 (41)
    • July 2016 (38)
    • June 2016 (40)
    • May 2016 (34)
    • April 2016 (36)
    • March 2016 (58)
    • February 2016 (33)
    • January 2016 (69)
    • December 2015 (37)
    • November 2015 (45)
    • October 2015 (50)
    • September 2015 (36)
    • August 2015 (33)
    • July 2015 (31)
    • June 2015 (28)
    • May 2015 (37)
    • April 2015 (35)
    • March 2015 (34)
    • February 2015 (17)
    • January 2015 (13)
    • December 2014 (5)
    • November 2014 (5)
    • October 2014 (6)
    • September 2014 (1)
    2003 - 2016 Shuttledirect operated by Viajes Alameda CV-Mm037A

    SHUTTLEDIRECT.COM

    • Service types
    • About us
    • help & FAQ
    • Sitemap

    LEGAL INFORMATION

    • Credit card security
    • Privacy policy
    • Terms & conditions

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google +
    • linkedIn
    • YouTube
    • pinterest

    BUSINESS SERVICES

    • website owners
    • transport companies

    This website uses cookies to provide you with the best browsing experience.

    Find out more or adjust your settings.

    Powered by GDPR plugin
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

    3rd Party Cookies

    More information about our Cookie Policy