Is Carvoeiro the right place for us in summer holidays?

[HelenS]

Hope some of you kind people may be able to help with this. We are considering visiting CVO for the first time this summer, having been to Portugal just once in August 2007 when we stayed near Porto de Mos outside Lagos. We loved the country but found the winds bad, so my first question: is a stiff wind most days normal in the summer or were we particularly unlucky with weather or perhaps the location (further West/on cliff)?

We try to avoid July/August as we hate crowds, but have no choice this year. Just how busy is CVO at that time of year please – traffic, parking, beaches, restaurants, shopping etc?

We usually stay somewhere very quiet, in countryside out of town with a car, but my 18year old daughter wants to be able to walk to beach/shops/low-key nightlife independently. Obviously we can’t be right in the countryside and walkable to town as well (in high heels!), but staying about 10/15mins walk out of CVO looks as if it might be close to what we need perhaps? Any suggestions/thoughts gratefully received!

Is there anywhere my daughter could safely go dancing please – perhaps a hotel/apartment complex? And are there enough shops for her to browse for a few hours on her own or do we need somewhere bigger than CVO?
Many thanks for your help.

[EMM]

Tell her to forget her heels, CVO is a hilly village and it is a common site at night to see girls barefoot carrying their expensive , bought for the holiday footwear, totally impractical due to the combination of calcadas and steep hills.

Looking for somewhere that is reasonably close to town , where you will not need to drive in ( forget parking in town in summer) look around the Monte Carvoerio area, good , if small selection of places t good o eat and drink, new dance bar opening but still only 5-10 mins walk to the village centre and beach.

There are a few " non " tourist shops but within a 15 min drive is the Algarve Shopping centre , with Zara, etc.

As you say it is a low key resort. popular with families.

[Ellie]

A lot of questions Helen, and I go along with Emm's reply.... Ive always thought Carvoeiro spot on for folk with families.
There is the 'Bote' disco on the beach that may suit your 18 yrold?
or theres the Round up where they do kareoke(if you like that sort of thing)
and theres a bar opposite roundup (forgotten name) where they do quizzes?
Id say Carvoeiro is a pretty safe place so have no fear

Happy holidays to you

[cereza]

Concerning the wind Helen you will find very little in CVO in August.
CVO is less windy than Lagos in general and its fair to say that the further west you go the windier it might be.
However it sounds as though you were unlucky last time as you don't usually get stiff winds in August. If anything the high temps in August can make the western breezes quite a relief.

[ken]

Emm where is the new dance bar opening?

[EMM]

The notice is in the windows of the " indian restaurant " that was in Monte Carvoeiro.next to the Pizza and steak on a Stone places.

[ditzy]

EMM telling an 18-year-old to forget her heels?? Madness! The hills and cobblestones are hard work but that's still no excuse to forgo gorgeous footwear! Just make sure to have a sensible pair nearby...she'll need them!

[EMM]

It was many of the sights that amuse us ( and the waiters and bar staff )in the summer, having a cocktail before dinner at Talvez or similar watching the girls in all their finery unsteadily struggling up or down hill, seeing them later shoes in hand as they made their way home.
Other half has many pairs that she bought out with her still unworn in their boxes.

[Bristle Si]

Helen

We been visiting CVO for 8 years now - in our late 40s - but we still like a good time. For an 18 year old on her own, who probably likes to party a little, i'd say CVO is not really aimed at that age group. Personal opinion, so don't all come down on me like a ton of bricks!

One of the other replies mentioned Monte CVO - that's where we stay. Sometimes we visit Cocktail Garden bar, which is great for families or couples wanting to chill.

Yes, it has the Bote disco, but very few of the bars really cater for the 18 - 25 year olds group IMO. It's a resort well suited to older people, couples, groups of say, 40/50 year olds who like a bit of life, round of golf. Bars like Round Up or bars similar, but also quiet enough for those who like a nice meal and a few drinks and just chill.

we took one of our boys a few years ago - he was 18 at the time and he brought a friend - we were there for 2 weeks, they came for about 5 days. They had a great time, met a few people of same age, but i think they would've got bored with 'same old' for more than a week to be honest.

So my advice would be to manage your daughter's expectations - there's not a load of nightlife to suit the 18 -25 year old group - let her bring a friend - they could also taxi to Rocha Brava a couple of nights where i think there's more nightlife.

Don't get me wrong we love CVO - it's just right for us.

[wee beanz]

My son was 18 and my daughter was 22 when they were in Cvo. They have both popped in to see me as I type and they said that they found Cvo too boring at night. Was far too quiet for them. I must say that I do tend to agree with them on this. Must be a first, I've just agreed with my kids

[PTBUXTON]

Both my 19 yr old and 33yr daughters love CVO as there is plenty to do and see, central and only 5/10mins walk in any direction to the village centre is the Monte Dourado apartments.

[HelenS]

Thank you all so much for such prompt and informative replies. From the mix of opinions it sounds as if CVO is borderline as far as my daughter is concerned, but probably right up our street! I'll have a look at the various suggestions and then once I know the options discuss it with my daughter and see what she thinks. As we usually spend the holiday in a villa down a track in the middle of nowhere, it could be that just a little life that's walkable will be enough! Fortunately my son is still happy to just chill. If we do come I'll make sure she brings some flats for walking, but the heels will go on again once she gets there! Thank you all again.

[dodger]

Pesonally I think it wouls suit you all.....I go regular with my other half,we are 29 and 34 and love it.Also I come golfing with lads ranging from 21 to 51 and we all think it has enough nightlife for us all!

Give it a try and I am sure it won't dissapoint!