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A hole-in-one under the columns of a Roman temple? It’s possible at this mini-golf park where life-sized replicas of villas, arcades and an amphitheatre reflect the Roman theme designed around the layout.

The Round Up looks and feels like a Texas saloon, where “outlaws” are locked up in a jail on the whim of Big Will the bartender and freed only on the promise of a beer. Live rock music is on most nights, and budding musicians are encouraged to jam. At weekends the karaoke cavalry arrives.

A rolling terrain abundant with pine envelopes this par 72 layout. The highlight is the infamous 16th, where a powerful and accurate swing is needed to carry a set of precipitous cliffs before the green. But the signature hole is the 9th, with its spectacular, semi-island green.

Lined withartesanatos (handicrafts shops) bristling with ceramics, carved cork, coppercataplanas (cooking pots), hand-painted chairs, occasional tables and other curios. On the second Tuesday of every month a lively open-air market takes place across the Rossio de São Brás, just outside the town walls.

A narrow, atmospheric precinct lined with fashion boutiques, traditional handicrafts shops and cafés.

The busiest streets in town, where shoppers can browse the rows of stores and boutiques for jewellery, handicrafts and fashion.

If one thoroughfare deserves the epithet “artisan’s street”, it’s this unassuming road near Loulé Castle. The artists tout mini works of art in copper, leather, wood and iron. The handicrafts are as authentic as you’ll ever get and superb value for money.

A busy pedestrianized street with florists, music stores, shoe shops and the usual handicrafts. The weekly Monday market takes place near the impressive Aqueduto da Amoreira.

An incongruous but very useful minimarket, squeezed in between rows of stone cottages, caters to residents and self-catering travellers alike. There are also one or twoartesanatos in the same street.