seeking local knowledge.

[birdpilot]

Staying for a few days in CVO whilst visiting Portimao race circuit for the next and final round of world superbikes.
Could anyone recommend any nice bars / restaurant's for evening meals for my wife and I.
Any advice ref the circuit would be most appreciated, first visit to Portugal. We are travelling by hire car from faro airport.
Many thanks.

[gavinhenson]

Hi, if you're picking your hire car up from across the car park (P4) at Faro airport, make sure you take a good look at the car and take photos of it before setting off... especially if it's Air Auto providing the car. I've just been stung by them for 275 euros. That's the only advice I can give you! I'll leave the restuarant and bar recommendations to the more seasoned CVO visitors...

Otherwise have a good visit, you'll love CVO.

[Farol]

Circuit is really easy to find from the motorway. Tons of parking there. Main grandstand (Balcony A) is the only covered grandstand - sit high up to get shade and better views across the circuit. Normally crowded for Superbikes but deserted for the rest of the year. Very limited catering and drinks so I suggest you take your own.

There are loads of restaurants and bars in Carvoeiro and you really can't go too far wrong. Have a look at the Restaurant Review section of this forum and in the first posting you will find a link to a Google map that shows them all. The rest of that section is reviews.

Car hire is like anywhere - check the car before you drive off and make sure defects are on the contract. General advice in Portugal is don't leave anything on show in the car when you park it.

[mixerman]

Farol,
I can't believe you say there is little catering or food available at the autodrome , you must have been there when it first opened ? there are many fast food outlets and more than three resurants , all at reasonable prices , compared with other european meetings .
The place is a credit to the owners and organisers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[maccasa]

Totally agree - plenty of food outlets at the autodromo. Are you staying in Carveoiro? actually, Alvor is nearer and it's much cheaper than CVO

[ron5000]

When you buy your grandstand tickets take a paddock pass as well, loads of things going on back there. Have lunch in the restaurant next to the grandstand entrance, it is called Five, great value for money and has a terrace over looking the last bend coming on to the pit straight and the chequered flag. The Super bikes take the bend at about 130 - 140 MPH

[birdpilot]

Thanks to all for there contribution, really appreciate it, especially info about the track, staying in CVO from Thursday to monday, looking forward to it, just hope the weather is good

[pete-flint]

http://autodromoalgarve.com.pt/index.ph ... ng=english

Most of the restaurants have been mentioned in the following :- viewtopic.php?f=26&t=6892

[birdpilot]

When you buy your grandstand tickets take a paddock pass as well, loads of things going on back there. Have lunch in the restaurant next to the grandstand entrance, it is called Five, great value for money and has a terrace over looking the last bend coming on to the pit straight and the chequered flag. The Super bikes take the bend at about 130 - 140 MPH

Thanks, already have grandstand seats, (Booked in the UK), I presume you can purchase paddock passes when you arrive at the track?

[ron5000]

You should have bought your tickets here on the day, much cheaper. Paddock pass is available at the ticket office usually for 10 euros. Will be a good week end but as it is the last race the outcome has already been decided but will probably have a good carnival atmosphere

[birdpilot]

Well what a great weekend was had by us both, now back in the land of mist and rain .
Our first trip to portugal and we both loved it.
Many thanks for all the advice from this forum it really did help. Loved the track at portimao, THE best I have been to by far, and the 5 Restaurant verandah, had to pinch myself sat on there watching the bikes howl past
CVO was a great place to base ourselves, our only regret was that we did not have long enough to explore the area more as we were trackside most of the weekend.
Both have decided we would love to return and do that so will be busy looking for places to stay, not into hotels so maybe a villa self catering is the way to go.
Thanks again .

[maccasa]

Glad you enjoyed our little Haven. Keep it quiet though as we tend toget a lot of tourists........

[ron5000]

Well what a great weekend was had by us both, now back in the land of mist and rain .
Our first trip to portugal and we both loved it.
Many thanks for all the advice from this forum it really did help. Loved the track at portimao, THE best I have been to by far, and the 5 Restaurant verandah, had to pinch myself sat on there watching the bikes howl past
CVO was a great place to base ourselves, our only regret was that we did not have long enough to explore the area more as we were trackside most of the weekend.
Both have decided we would love to return and do that so will be busy looking for places to stay, not into hotels so maybe a villa self catering is the way to go.
Thanks again .

Thought you would like the five restaurant and the view, I hope you took the paddock pass, so much more going on back there. You will probably get PM'd by various villa rental agents, if not already after your comment