Please can someone tell me whether any of the buses that run through Carvoeiro go to the Intermarche hypermarket. We are staying at the Tivoli on a half board basis. Are there any bus stops near the hotel? This will be our first time to the Algarve and will be relying on public transport to get around the area. Is Carvoeiro decorated with xmas lights etc? Not quite sure what to expect for Christmas meals at the Tivoli - anyone stayed there over Christmas before? We have booked with Cosmos rather than direct through the hotel - any information anyone can provide would be very much appreciated. Flying out on Christmas Eve (not with BA!). Just hope the weather improves too!

Not sure about the buses but last years christmas decorations consisted of a couple of small , poorly lit displays.

The local council ( Lagoa ) spends the money there and to be fair they are quite good.

If you want to see more the best thing is to hire a car this will also allow you to get to better value supermarkets than Intermarche.

That's disappointing then - first time we have been away for Xmas - should have gone to the Canaries instead where they make more of an effort - never mind. Thanks for the speedy reply though

Albufeira, Portimao, Loule , Lagos will all have very good displays also Faro , thats why we who know the Algarve always suggest thaty vistors hire a car even if only for 2-3 days there is just so much to see.

There is more to Christmas than lights!

I think the buses past the Tivoli are few - but I believe they have a shuttle bus into CVO and there are buses from the square which go to Intermarche and - cheaper and better - Pingo Doce just before Lagoa. I think you may find the taxis are reasonable.

dont think there will be much in the square of CVO if past years are much to go by - never quite understood - the bars and restaurants charge a premiun for being in CVO 0 at least 20%), yet never seem to want to club together to pay for decorations or fireworks.

Thanks for the HELPFUL replies and yes I do realise there is more to Christmas than lights!!!!!!

Hi peasmith and welcome to Carvoeiro.com

We lived in Lagoa and saw a couple of Christmas's there and the lights were always good!
Portimao puts on a good display too....but don't recall Carvoeiro doing very much.
Yes there is more to Christmas than lights...and one thing seems to have been forgotten for this time of year; its the time we celebrate Christ's birth ( Christ Mas)..although there is some question over when he was born exactly.
I did hear an expert say once, that the 'star' that appeared (that the Wise men & shepherds followed) could have been the planet Venus.....and that 'September' was a likely time of His birth...
But all is lost in the commercial aspect of this time of year..and what most folk think of is eating and drinking. Nothing wrong in that I know..but it is a Holy time as well.
When my kids were young they always made a 'Manger scene' which took pride of place.....ahhh happy days

Enjoy your first visit peasmith and have a lovely time

Unfortunately the Carvoeiro dec's seem to consist of a banner as you enter the ' in' road & a white & blue tree in the square, & that's it, it's such a shame. We live near a very small old fashioned town, not a tourist in sight, & even it has lights strung up across the streets & on the lamposts. Guia another small town has a fabulous display of lights again this year & the lights in Albufeira are beautiful. The display in Lagoa is really good, you should get a cab up one evening & have a stroll around before dinner. I should think the hotel will have made an effort to be festive & all the restaurants usually have decorations up inside, & just like home most of the shops play constant Christmas songs.

Lagoa has lovely lights this year, even the roundabouts look lovely.

Thank you all for your replies. Let's just hope the weather improves.

Lovely warm sunshine and 18plus degrees, forcast still not that promising but who cares it not the freezing UK.

Hi Peasmith, welcome to Carvoeiro, if you really want to see some Algarve lights have a look at the Be Hip Show (see address below):
http://www.hipalgarve.net/

You can't get much better than this, alternatively relax and enjoy Carvoeiro without the lights, It's a great place to be, especially this time of year. Enjoy.

2 - 3 buses an hour ( my son gets them to and from school ) , they go into Lagoa and on to Portimao. From Lagoa you can go the whole length of the Algarve. ( to Faro its 4.60 approx then I think under a euro to the airport ).
They start about 6.30 in the morning , havent got a current bus time table so just ask at the Tivoli ( even if you arent staying there they are very helpful ).
Pingo doce is just before Lagoa on the right and is reasonable , but if you want English things you need intermarche. Bit cheaper if you go to Pao & Açucar , but you would have to get another bus from station to Estombar.
Enjoy your stay & merry Christmas. WR

See this link that gives the bus timetables for the routes you are looking for. http://thomasallen.home.sapo.pt/travel/031.htm