Carvoeiro - is it for me?

[dawnw]

Hello Everyone, I'm hoping to be a first time visitor to the Algarve.
Initially when I looked at holiday brochures we liked the sound of Alvor, however all I could find were high rises and that's not our cup of tea.

We like to stay in traditional places that give us a feel for the country we are staying in - someone suggested Carvoeiro and gave me this website address, so naturally I have one or two questions -
The first is that I notice there are a lot of developments - are they "out of town" developments or in the town centre?
Does the village still retain it's charm?
What about eating out - I hate english food on holiday, are there plenty of traditional restaurants?
Is it necessary to have a car to get around or are there local travel agents in town we could arrange outings with?
Neither of us play golf. What is there to see and do in the surrounding area?

We have stressful jobs and work hard all year and simply want somewhere to relax, that has a pace of life to match. Everyone has different holiday requirements and we're just simply not party animals so please be honest - If we'll be bothered by loud music, loud people and burger bars on neon strips we won't like Carvoerio.

Thanks ever so much,
Dawn.

P.S. - I'm not a boring old fart honest! I just value tradition!

[visitoria]

As a regular visitor to this area over the past 10 years, I think you have the wrong idea, the true Portugal and its' mystique lies away from the coast and manufactured resorts such as this. No offence meant to those people who choose this area of living, but the whole of the Algarve from Faro to Lagos is a manufactured holiday resort! If you want low rise and intrigue look just a few miles inland and save visiting the coast to the days you want beaches and sun. Buy a good map, hire a car and visit the west coast to see the Algarve in all its' glory away from commercial concrete.

[Redscouser]

Dawn
it depends what you really want out of you holiday?
IMHO after living there for 10 years,here is a rough guide.
1.
To meet and mix with English, Dutch etc and local Portuguese then Carvoeiro is for you.
Plenty of traditional restaurants around and I doubt if you will find a better mix of Menus anywhere.
There is coach trips to various places, but I would recommend the hire of a car,it allows you lots more scope for exploring.
Not much building going on in the town its too small for large developments.
with the car there is no end of places to visit, Silves with its castle,Ferraguda beach and beach bars,nice and quiet.Sarges with Henry the navigators school, now refurbed.
Cape St. Vincent with the last light house as you leave Europe,do try and get a guided tour round its amazing,Lagos with its habour and beautiful church,a trip up the mountains, by far the best is a trip to the west coast to Vila Nova dil Milfontes, if staying over night there try the old castle hotel with its moat,its very small and private,everyone eats from a long table of truely Portuguese food,not to be missed.its takes about 2 hours by road.

2.
If you just want to mix with local Portuguese people and dont want to meet any enstrangers then Tavira would be a good place to stay very
quiet and traditional.

This is only touching the tip of places to go and see.

I dont think you will be dissapointed.
I am sure others will add to this in the coming days.
Have a great relaxing holiday.

[dawnw]

Thanks for the info Ric and Visitoria.

I don't want a tourist mecca so it's reassuring to hear that there aren't any large developments. I must admit I was beginning to wonder as this site mentioned a lot of developments. As a native, what can you tell me about these developments? Are they in the centre or outskirts of town?

I'll post a separate topic on this but someone else has also mentioned Burgau as somewhere that is very traditional - do you know it?

Dawn.

[Uggie]

Dawn, there are a helluva lot of villa developments around Carvoeiro. From what you've said, this is not the place for you. As someone suggested, go inland or far West.

[dawnw]

OK, thanks Uggie.
The place we've found is 15 mins from the town centre and looks OK, but of course I don't know where it is in relation to developments etc.

[Guest]

Where is it Dawn, take no notice of uggie, everyone likes Carvoeiro and no one here would go to Albuferia, Pria da Rocha, or Aramco de Pera. The beach at Burgau is not as sandy as it looks and the surrounding area for beaches is also in my opion nowhere like Carvoeiro. Go for it, become a regular visitor like the rest of us humble soles. Mike

[Uggie]

Where is it Dawn, take no notice of uggie, everyone likes Carvoeiro and no one here would go to Albuferia, Pria da Rocha, or Aramco de Pera. The beach at Burgau is not as sandy as it looks and the surrounding area for beaches is also in my opion nowhere like Carvoeiro. Go for it, become a regular visitor like the rest of us humble soles. Mike

Excuse me Mike! I happen to like Carvoiero very much, but if you take the time to read Dawn's post properly you may understand a little more about what she is looking for exactly. Nice though Carvoeiro is, it is crowded with villas, full of us foreigners and not the least bit like a "typical" Portugese village. Consider your legs slapped mate!

[digger]

The perfect holiday:
Algarve on the coast a dip every morning and a stroll along the beach every night in town with good choice of cafes and restaurants hired car drive carefully check out what you can from St Vincent to Tavira and inland to Monchique nothing too demanding early night in cvo.

[dawnw]

Mike, the place we are looking at is Casa Lorne. Address -
Areias dos Moinhos,
8400 Carvoeiro LGA,
Algarve

I seem to be getting conflicting messages on here but I suppose it's the same as anywhere - some people will like it, some won't.
If Carvoeiro is full of villa/tourist developments then Uggie's right we won't like it.
I'm grateful for all of the info, it's really helpful as I don't want to end up somewhere we won't like. The more I'm reading I'm wondering if the Algarve is the place for us, as even places quoted in holiday brochures as traditional, such as Alvor, when I dig deeper they all have high rises.

Anyway, keep the comments coming, I'm still on the fence.
Dawn

[pwr]

Dawnw
I have been coming to the Algarve for 3 years now, not to Carvoeiro, although I have visited there and would say it is a charming place.
I have a house on a golf course very close to Alvor.
You mention high rise and yes there are a number, 3 or 4 high rise apartment/hotels in Alvor but they are well away from the lovely traditional town with it's narrow cobbled streets.
I understand high rise putting you off but it shouldn't deter you from Alvor or Carvoeiro either.
Remember that these places have been found by many tourists, but not thankfully by all and alongside Lagos which also has charm are still lovely places to spend time.
I would add that it depends on the time you visit. August does get extremely busy and everywhere is that bit more difficult to get to if you are driving, parking is harder and restaurants obviously more difficult.
Food generally is superb, not English but it's there if required.
I'd say try Portugal, I don't think you will be disappointed.

[dawnw]

Thanks for that pwr. As we don't want to stay on a development it's reassuring to hear there are still places away from them.

[Guest]

Dawn..for me...Carvoeiro still has its 'fishing village'charm..and I think you will like its intimate feeling;wanting to go back time and again.
Its just right for a family hol. but I agree with others that best time is before May and after August.
But wherever you choose..Im sure you'll love Algarve and its People and have a wonderful time.....Ellie

[kteee]

Hi

Do you realise the Areias dos Moinhos is a villa development? It's very nice and in a good location for the village, but it is a development.

k

[dawnw]

I didn't Ktee, you can't tell that from the pictures on this site.
Thanks for the info.

Dawn.