DK Travel : The Algarve : Places of interest

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Guerreiros do Rio

The scenic road south from Alcoutim runs part way along the banks of the River Guadiana and passes through a landscape bristling with olive, fig and carob trees before reaching this tiny village. Amid the orange trees, a former schoolhouse now houses a modest museum that provides an interesting glimpse into the history of the Guadiana River.
Karting

Experience life in the fast lane at this challenging circuit, inaugurated by Ayrton Senna, with its exact replica of the famous Jacarepágua Formula 1 track in Brazil. A smaller circuit with less powerful machines is geared towards youngsters.
Krazy World

Snake pits, an alligator swamp, turtle town and iguana city feature at this highly unusual and wholly entertaining animal park. The pet farm is sanctuary to smaller, more cuddly creatures, while dinosaurs loom over the 18-hole crazy golf course that cuts a path through the jungles of the Lost World.
Lagos

One of the most popular resort towns in southern Portugal, Lagos immediately captures the imagination with its carefree holiday spirit, laid-back lifestyle and immense historical wealth. Its greatest treasure is the Igreja de Santo António. The nearby beaches are equally attractive with their fine golden sand, ochre-splashed cliffs and bizarre outcrops of sandstone pillars. See Lagos.
Lagos

Drawing the whole gamut of visitors, from backpackers, package tourists and wealthy expatriates, Lagos exudes a lively and inviting atmosphere. Modern amenities and historical sights make for an appealing mix of old and new, and the nearby coves, framed by russet and mustard rocky outcrops, are some of the most spectacular in the Algarve. See Lagos.
Lagos Zoological Park

A menagerie of exotic and appealing wildlife. Bushy-tailed lemurs, sure-footed gibbons and rotund Vietnamese pigs share the grounds with graceful flamingos, leggy emus, beady-eyed tou-cans and wallabies who bounce around with abandon.
Loulé

This cheerful market town is renowned as a centre of traditional handicraft. The copper, leather and ceramic goods hammered out in the dozens of workshops dotted around its streets are some of the most sought-after in the Algarve. These can be purchased at Loulé’s bustling Saturday morning market along with an amazing selection of fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, herbs, spices, honey, bottled liqueurs and sugared fig cakes. Loulé was an important Moorish settlement, and remnants of Muslim rule still exist. See Loulé.
Luz de Tavira

It’s one of those villages you normally drive through on your way somewhere else. But stop off to view the south door of the local church. The highly ornate portal is one of the loveliest examples of Manueline architecture in the Algarve.
Martin Longo

The storks nesting on top of the belfry of Martin Longo’s parish church have been members of this small community for years, and they are as appealing as their unusual home. But the “A Flor da Agulha” dolls workshop is also worth a visit, for it is here that traditional jute dolls are hand crafted, the figurines depicting ladies spinning, herdsmen and woodmen.
Marvão

Named “the eagle’s nest” by locals, this medieval hamlet, set high upon on a rugged escarpment, is an astonishing sight. Sinuous 13th-century battlements envelope an immaculate village, where polished cobbled streets snake past neat façades, whitewashed cottages, a dainty church, trim gardens and a cherished museum. Crowning all this is a castle commanding dramatic views of the Serra de Marvão and the borderlands.