Top choice in Carvoeiro
Watch artists hand-painting traditional azulejo tiles at this pottery stocking a vast array of ceramics, from fridge magnets to plates, bowls, vases, lamps and pots. International shipping is available. Opening to a bougainvillea-draped front terrace, its enchanting on-site cafe is clad in classic blue-and-white tiles, and serves light dishes (sandwiches, quiches, salads, cakes) on its own crockery at tile-topped tables.
It's 9km northeast of Carvoeiro.
2.83 MILES
One of the Algarve's – and Portugal's – most emblematic sights, this huge natural seaside cave has a hole in its ceiling through which streaming sunlit…
27.46 MILES
The centrepiece of the Cidade Velha, the sé was completed in 1251 but heavily damaged in the 1755 earthquake. What you see now is a variety of Renaissance…
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo & Capela dos Ossos
27.33 MILES
One of the Algarve's most dazzling churches, this twin-towered baroque masterpiece was completed in 1719 under João V. After the 1755 earthquake, its…
4.66 MILES
This russet-coloured, Lego-like castle – originally occupied in the Visigothic period – has great views over the town and surrounding countryside. What…
Igreja de São Lourenço de Matos
22.44 MILES
This baroque masterpiece was built on the site of a ruined chapel after locals, while digging a well, implored Saint Lawrence for help and then struck…
14.61 MILES
Protruding 2.5km south of Lagos, Ponta da Piedade is a dramatic wedge of headland with contorted, polychrome sandstone cliffs and towers, complete with a…
4.63 MILES
Just below the castle is the sé, built in 1189 on the site of an earlier mosque, then rebuilt after the 1249 Reconquista and subsequently restored several…
6.81 MILES
Housed in a 19th-century fish cannery, the ultramodern, award-winning Museu de Portimão is the city's number-one draw. The museum focuses on three areas:…
2.54 MILES
One of a few nearby beaches with karst rock stacks, Praia da Marinha is among the most beautiful. It's 7.5km east of Carvoeiro; the nicest way to reach it…
2.83 MILES
One of the Algarve's – and Portugal's – most emblematic sights, this huge natural seaside cave has a hole in its ceiling through which streaming sunlit…
3.92 MILES
Right in the town, this diminutive arc of sandy beach gets very busy in summer.
4.43 MILES
Fiesa is the world's biggest sand-sculpture contest. Artists are given 45,000 tonnes of sand to sculpt, and their truly amazing creations (up to 12m high…
5. Museu Municipal de Arqueologia
4.56 MILES
Built tight against the defensive walls, this archaeological museum has a mix of interesting finds from the town and around. The modern building was…
6. Centro de Interpretaçao do Património Islâmico
4.57 MILES
This interpretative centre promotes the network of Islamic routes through Portugal, Spain and Morocco, with a small but interesting exhibition on…
4.63 MILES
Just below the castle is the sé, built in 1189 on the site of an earlier mosque, then rebuilt after the 1249 Reconquista and subsequently restored several…
4.63 MILES
The exterior of the 16th-century Igreja da Misericórdia is plain apart from its distinctive, fanciful Manueline doorway hanging well above street level …