| In this section you will find information on cinemas, theatres, music and museums. |
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There is another form of entertainment that is worth a specific mention – Tourada!
– in other words Bullfighting. Yes it happens here in Portugal too and during the
season (April-October) there is a fight every Friday in the arena on the outskirts
of Lagos. There are several differences between the Portuguese version of the sport
and the Spanish version. First and foremost, in Portugal there is a ban on the public
killing of the animal (although it is usually slaughtered outside the arena shortly
after the spectacle). |
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The fight begins with a cavaleiro, a horseman dressed in colourful 18 century costume
complete with frills and three cornered hat. He parades around for some minutes
saluting the crowd, before the bull is unleashed into the arena. With a great display
of elegant horsemanship the cavaleiro sticks the bull in his back with a series
of bandarilhas (ornate spears). Next comes the pega, the part of the show involving
a team of eight men, forcados, all dressed in knee length breeches, baggy shirts
and tasselled caps. |
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The leader of the forcados squares up to the bull and charges him, launching himself
on to the bull’s head and, holds on to the horns, whist the other seven forcados
leap on the animal and try to pull the animal to the ground. The spectacle finishes
when the bull has been overpowered in this way.
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Aside from the usual bars, and discos (Albufeira or Praia da Rocha being the disco
capitals of the Algarve), traditional forms of Portuguese entertainment tend to
revolve around town “feiras” (fairs) and “festas” (festivals) which for the most
part are linked to a public holiday, often a saint’s day.
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During these occasions, processions through the streets take place (often religious)
and are
frequently backed up by craft fairs and musical events.
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The region offers a fabulous choice of activities and entertainment for children
– here are some suggestions: |
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Always a great hit with the kids, the Algarve has four waterslide parks; two in
the west and two in the east. |
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Slide and Splash at Lagoa and Aqualand at Alcantarilha are easily accessible and
offer restaurant-cafeteria and bar facilities and several swimming pools in addition
to a fantastic array of exciting ways to plunge yourself into the water at great
speed. Toward the eastern end of the Algarve, near the town of Loulé there are two
more excellent water parks, Aquashow and Parque Atlántico. All parks operate a dedicated
bus ser ice for day trips from major resorts and towns throughout the region. |
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Slide and Splash: Estrada Nacional 125, Vale de Deus, Estômbar – 8400 Lagoa. Tel:
282 341 685 |
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Aqualand (“The Big One”): Estrada Nacional 125, Alcantarilha, Tel 800 20 40 14.
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Aquashow: INSERT ADDRESS Loulé |
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Parque Atlántico: INSERT ADDRESS Loulé
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The Zoomarine oceanographic theme park is one of the Algarve’s most famous family
attractions. Set in over 12 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens, with several
swimming pools, a choice of fairground rides and a network of lakes, the park also
houses the “Oceanus” marine museum containing several aquariums including the giant
shark aquarium and a cinema. The emphasis is very much on environmental conservation
and education, but Zoomarine never looses sight of the fun side of things. There
are four amphitheatres in the park and there are daily live open-air shows such
as the “Sea Lion Show”, the “Tropical Bird Show”, the Birds of Prey Show” and the
“Dolphin Show”. Zoomarine also runs an extremely popular “interaction with dolphis”
programme, where visitors over 8 years old are allowed the opportunity
to get to
know and interact in the water with trained bottle-nosed dolphins. Visitors will
also see sea birds, turtles and crocodiles. Zoomarine is unmatched in Portugal for
the quality of its shows and exhibits and includes an amusement park, swimming pools,
a picnic area, shops and restaurants. In short, it is quite simply a great day out
for all the family.
Estrada Nacional 125, Km 65, Guia, 8200-864 Albufeira. Tel: 289 560 300 |
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Close to the village of Algoz, the Krazy World amusement park features a range of
attractions including two 18 hole mini golf course, Krazy Golf and Jungle Golf -
the latter winding its way through a ‘land that time forgot’ complete with life
size dinosaur replicas peeping through the undergrowth - fairground rides, pony
rides an animal petting farm and a large selection of pythons, crocodiles, iguanas,
tortoises and other scaly creatures including one of the largest snakes in the whole
of Europe. If this seems an strange combination, perhaps it helps to point out that
Krazy World is also home to the renowned Algarve Zoo including Amazonia Crocodile
Park, Turtle Village and Iguana City among other attractions. A large tropical swimming
pool complete with sun beds, a bar, café and restaurant facilities and shops complete
the Krazy World experience making it a perfect family outing. |
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For more information and admission prices, call 282 574 134 |
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Located between Barã de S. João and Bensafrim in its own superbly landscaped gardens,
Lagos Zoo contains over 120 species of animals and some 200 species of plants.
Here you can see several varieties of apes (including the ever popular chimpanzees) inhabiting
specially constructed “primate islands” set in a lake with waterfalls and a healthy
population of aquatic animals and birds. The zoo is very proud of its 60m long flight
tunnel for the close observation of exotic birds on the wing and a children’s farm,
where youngsters have the opportunity of close contact with a variety of domestic
and farm animals. |
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Lagos Zoo gives a high priority to educational facilities and to the protection
and conservation of endangered species and their environments. At the same time
the zoo makes for an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable day out for all the family. |
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There is a zoo shop with an array of merchandise and the Zoo’s “Cangalho” restaurant
offers a variety of meals and snacks. |
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Qunta das Figueiras – Sítio do Medronhal, Barão de S. João, 8600-013, Lagos. Tel:
282 680 100. |
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Opened in 2003, the Omega Zoological Park is located amid the clean air of the mountains
of Monchique. Set in dramatically landscaped hillside gardens and sheltered by dense
Eucalyptus forest, the Zoo is one of the most beautiful in southern Portugal and
contains an impressive array of primates, pot bellied pigs, antelopes, and a cheta
or two along with many other species. With motto “A
better kind of zoo”, Omega’s
emphasis is on prevention of animal suffering and conservation. |
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Caldas de Monchique, 8550-232, Monchiqeu: Tel 282 911 327 |
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Essentially an open air museum, the Cova dos Mouros park, between Marinlongo and
Vaqueiros in the north eastern Algarve, focuses around an ancient copper mine. In
use since prehistoric times, the Romans later operated the mine and, later still, the Moors who extracted manganese from the copper deposits, which they used in ceramic
glazes and for dying their clothes. The park consists of about 1,000 metres of exhibits
and displays including old mine shafts, reconstructions of primitive houses and
villages, furnaces and tools going back nearly 5000 years. Donkey tours are available
and an old mine train takes visitors into the depths of the earth for a visit to
the Crystal Gallery. The park is also an animal sanctuary with Vietnamese pot-bellied
pigs, deer and other species on views.
Many visitors enjoy taking a dip in the nearby
Foupana river after their tour, before enjoying a snack in the Cova dos Mouros bar. |
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Vaqueiros, Concelho de Alcoutim, Tel: 289 999 229 |
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Two fabulous carting circuits, the larger follows the exact layout of the Formula
1 track at Jacarepágua and was opened by Ayrton Senna himself. A smaller track is
geared to younger drivers. There is a grandstand and club-house with bar and restaurant.
Competitions are held regularly and many events are open to visitors.
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Circuito de Karting de Almancil, Sítio das Pereiras, 8135-022, Almancil |
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Perhaps Portugal’s most internationally famous product is port wine. Excellent varieties
of port are available at many outlets in the Algarve and it is also one of the products
that is most easily affordable to the visitor. Portuguese olives are also a delicious
speciality as is olive oil, honey (of which there are many different types originating
from many different Algarvian locations) and chouriçou, which is a delicious type
of spicy sausage (a little like pepperoni). |
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Aside from edible items, the Algarve is noted for its production of lace-work (traditionally
a cottage industry centred in the coastal fishing communities) particularly in the
eastern Algarve. Ceramics are also a traditional product of Portugal and the Algarvian
workshops produce quite exquisite azulejos (classic Portuguese blue and white illustrated
tiles) and will often design to order. Further, high quality leather work is produced
at Almodôvar and Loulé. |
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Leaving aside the cottage industries and things traditionally Portuguese, there
are main shopping areas in all the major towns, especially Portimão and Faro. Most
of the larger towns have hypermarkets on the outskirts, the Liddl, Modelo and Continente
being the most prolific. In addition, over recent years new purpose built shopping
villages have appeared in the Algarve, e.g., Forum Algarve on the edge of Faro and
Algarve Shopping at Guia. At these places you can find just about everything, CDs,
electrical goods, fashion clothing, furniture, garden supplies etc., etc., -as well as a range of fast food outlets and snack bars.
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