Sunbathing in Carvoeiro

Summer comes earlier in Portugal  in fact, by Portuguese standards, it’s summer right now. A seaside holiday is the ultimate idea of a happy vacation for so many of us, so how about dreaming a dream where we go sunbathing in Carvoeiro?

Situated in the municipality of Lagoa, at the heart of the ever sunny Algarve, Carvoeiro used to be a fishing village living off the tuna production. Today, the small city is a very popular tourist resort, particularly because it is filled with hotels, restaurants, pubs, places to relax and have fun, as well as displaying great sandy beaches where you can just lie in the sun enjoying the Atlantic breeze.

According to local legend, Cape Carvoeiro was the place where an 1554 naval battle met the confrontation between the Portuguese and the Turkish corsair Xaramet. The Turk was defeated and the city was engulfed in glory.

Nowadays, Carvoeiro is particularly popular among families with children, because it is quite quiet and offers plenty of entertainment options for all ages. There are two water parks nearby. In Lagoa, there is Slide and Splash and Aqualand in Alcantarilha. If you are looking for something a bit more cultural, you can visit the Zoomarine Sealife park in Guia.

Carvoeiro may be a very hyped seaside resort, but that doesn’t mean history is not at home here also! Perched on the cliffs, just above the city, you can visit the 17th century relics of the Fort of Senhora da Conceicao.

If you are interested in trips outside the city, Portimao nearby makes for an excellent shopping day trip. In Silves, you can admire the lovely Moorish castle and in Ferragudo, you can taste the life of a Portuguese town.

To enjoy your trip to the city and its surroundings, probably the best transport idea is to rent a car in Carvoeiro.