I keep checking out the webcams and it seems very quiet.....
Is this really the case?
Coming out in a couple of weeks and wondering what it will be like, hoping there will be more people around than trees......

We were out from 2 May to 12 May and it was very quiet. Bars and restaurants around the square were nearly deserted one evening. Strangely, the out-lying restauarants seemed to be pretty busy.

PARKING????

SAM SPARKLE wrote:PARKING????

On the day we ate in the village (10 May) we were the only ones in the restaurant and there was not a single person at Smilers. We actually parked right next to the taxi rank. I have never been able to park anywhere near the square before. During the day it seemed reasonably busy.

The vast majority of UK schools finish today (Friday 25.5.12) for two weeks. May see an increase in numbers during this time. I hope so, I arrive Saturday and whilst I don't want to be queing and fighting the masses, I do like it to be vibrant with a decent atmosphere.

I agree, it is better to have a crowd and an atmosphere. Whilst it is nice not having to wait too long for food and drinks, I don't really want to be the only person in a bar or restaurant!
Very worring for the local business though.
Fingers crossed it picks up very soon.

Seems quiet during the day, but with this weather lots of people have been spending the day at the beach. Evenings almost feel like summer, lots of families walking around and restaurants seem to be doing well. Like Lamby said, the coming 2 weeks are bound to be very busy.

The village is very busy today, full of families and not many parking spaces left.

I must agree with Jaylay,

I was having lunch in the restaurant opposite smilers on saturday almost everywhere looked busy. lots of tourists about ( fun watching some drive the wrong way round the square ). Smilers full as was Sullys.
The train was also doing good business and a lot of families on the beach.
I think that summer has arrived.

we've just got back after 8 days in sunny PT - we found everywhere quiet (even the N125)

jeff

many people in daytime, but almost dead at night. Seems as if most people stay in and go less to restaurants, bars. Everybody is complaining about less business this year and many seem to be on a "budget", avoiding couverts etc. ...

Perhaps there are fewer people in the bars at night because of the lack of live music and entertainment.
For what ever the reason , if it is down to probelms with excessive noise or rules and regs it is a short sighted policy
We went to Bradys a few times last summer and took others there, this year to be honest no reason to go as there has been no live music and we can watch TV at home.

Are Carvoeiro prices typically more expensive than other areas on the Algarve/Portugal?
I am wondering if people are choosing to go elsewhere? I've only ever been to Carvoeiro, so hard for me to compare.
I was near Murcia in Spain last month, and I'd say prices for drinks/snacks etc. were pretty reasonable, possibly cheaper than in Carvoeiro last year.
Not to worry, come June 10th, I'll be putting my money into and supporting the local Carvoeiro businesses. Along with cheering on the England football team - (for what good that will do!).

If you avoid the places in the square then you will find that Carvoeiro is good value.
Many places have meal specials just have a good look around.

If I compare it with our former early-summer-holidays 7 or 10 years ago, it is frighteningly quiet and empty. At the moment you don't have any problem to find a place on the carvoeiro beach or at Praia de Nossa Senhora da Rocha. Yesterday, we didn't need to reserve a table for dinner in the still very popular "Primavera". It seems, that the season diminishes to the time from june/july to august/september. I don't have any idea how the enterprisers in town will survive this development.