Alte village in the Algarve
It’s mid April and we’re touring Portugal with Alte village in the Algarve looking like a tempting stop. First though, we’re in Quarteira for a morning stroll on a windswept and very cloudy day.
There are very few people about, which is probably a bonus, as parking isn’t a problem. After a quick cup of coffee in the camper, we’re off for a walk along a pedestrian sea front promenade.
It’s many years since we’ve been to the Algarve, so we’re unsure how different things are now. Quarteria was one of those resorts we remember from the holiday brochures, but we can’t remember if we came here.
Nothing looks familar as we walk along the sea front. It looks as if there was once a road separating the 70’s looking hotels from the beach. If it was a road, this has now gone, and instead the pedestrian prom extends beside the sands. Just beside the walkways are a number of bars and shops running parallel to the waterfront.
It’s so windy today, we’re being sand blasted from the gusts, so it’s no wonder the beach is empty.
Golf courses and luxury
After wiping down the sand from our clothes, we decide to call it a day in Quarteira. Instead we drive onwards, passing golf resorts with pristine greens, surrounding the outskirts.
There’s plenty of upmarket villas and stores selling homeware and luxury furnishings, obviously there’s a market for nice things in this area.
For those owning property here, there’s no shortage of goods, services and everything in-between available.
The market town of Loule
Next up for us, is the market town of Loule, which we’ve been reading about in our guide book. Parking is once again easy, but the town proves a bit disappointing. One of the big attractions is apparently an indoor market, so we can’t wait to take a look, after all who doesn’t love a good market?
Unfortunately for us, we arrive to an empty market hall! Yes, this large red and white painted building is nice to see but market day is over, we’ve only gone and missed it all! Perhaps we should have come here on a Saturday, when more markets are held around town in addition to the indoor fixture.
I don’t want to sound too harsh, because Loule is a nice enough town and has some lovely tiled fronted buildings and colourful paintwork to suit the theme.
After a good stretch of the legs with a walk through old part of town, we find an array of small shops and narrow streets. We’re ready to drive on again though, feeling like we’ve seen enough for now.
Waterfall visit – Alte village in the Algarve
This time, we’re heading to Alte village, which is in the Algarve but inland from the coast. We’re passing rolling green countryside and wonderful orange groves in a hilly setting away from the Algarve beaches.
Parking is easy and free just outside the village beside a cemetery. Little do we know, that just beyond is a path to the cute waterfall of Queda do Vigario, a hidden little gem below the village.
This popular waterfall probably gets very busy in Summer, but on our evening Spring visit, there’s only a few people to share the scenery.
Reaching the waterfall along a marked path brings us to a grassy area and first sighting of the waterfall. Water is steadily flowing into a turquoise plunge pool below and has a tempting look for a swim, despite the cool air of April.
Some instagram looking folk are taking the plunge with a young lady swimming below the falls as her companion snaps away from the shore. She looks freezing, but it doesn’t seem to put them off taking the perfect pic!
For us, we’re keeping our feet firmly on dry land, but no doubt we’d be in there too in warmer weather.
A cute donkey
Leaving the waterfall behind, we now follow a path back up towards the village which proves a quaint little place.
Amidst the very slippery cobbles of the village centre are a few restaurants and shops which must be lovely in summer with outdoor dining options.
The star attraction for us today is the village donkey, with a cute stable of brightly painted colours.
We stop for a while and have a chat with the cute donkey, who has a donation box beside the stable for its upkeep.
It doesn’t talk back, but happily chews on hay and looks on wondering what all the fuss is about.
Well, that’s enough for one day, so it’s back to the campervan for a peaceful nights sleep. We’re not alone, as there’s several other motorhomes parking up too and enjoying the countryside air.
Vilamoura
The following morning we’re off again. This time we’re heading towards the harbour resort of Vilamoura on the Algarve coast.
Although it’s 30 years since we were last here, we remember it fairly well. Despite the extension of building work outwards, the marina is still very familiar. In fact, it feels like only yesterday when we were here.
We only want to have a quick look around, and luckily find a parking space just outside the complex. The weather is fairly cool and cloudy, but there’s plenty of tourists along the marina.
This town has numerous apartment buildings and is surrounded by golf courses and shops. There are so many facilities to accommodate visitors to this purpose built resort.
Walking along the marina, which can accommodate over 800 berths, we come across numerous restaurants. It’s late morning and staff are attempting to tempt us in for a spot of lunch.
We’re not stopping, but it’s been good to take a look here after all these years. Next up, we’ll be visiting one of the most well known resorts on the Algarve, Albufeira. It’s going to be a first for us, and we can’t wait to see what it’s like.