| Casa Porta Azul |
| Apartado 7, 8100-070 Boliqueime |
| Loulé, Algarve, Portugal |
| N 37° 08. 42,35”, W 08° 08. 28.67 |
 +351 289 366 544 |
 +351 912 300 789 |
 info@casaportaazul.com |
Surrounding
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Close to our Casa
You can really experience the authentic Portuguese landscape close to the casa, which is something we treasure highly. Within a one minute walk from Casa Porta Azul one can find large orange and tangerine fields where the old farmers are still working and living.
Often the local shepherd comes by with his flock of sheep, as it’s only a ten minute walk to the sheep-fold where the flock is kept.
The balmy temperatures at night, the sound of the wind which goes through the palm trees and of course the traditional Port wine gives you a sleepy feeling for a perfect night of sleep.
The beach
You can see the ocean from the first floor of our casa. We have to say that the bays are really unique here in the Algarve. The beach is only 15 minutes by car and you also can go by bike, a trip of only 45 minutes from our Casa.
The beaches are full of alternate rocks formations. Some of them are in the water and you can see how the waves are breaking on those rocks. This is really spectacular!
Beautiful villages and cities in the surrounding
The nearest large village to where we live is called Boliqueime. Though a busy village, it has still not been discovered by the general tourist population, and remains quite traditional. Unlike the coastal resorts, one can still get a cold beer, some olives, and a traditional pastry for about two Euros. Boliqueime is a small place, which is built around a church. Walking in it’s streets, you can see the old and young people enjoying life as the have always done. On one of our trips we saw a really old fashioned water pump, typical of the type found in all the small villages of the Algarve.
Monchique
It will take 45 minutes to get to Monchique. Here you will find the highest mountain of the Algarve, where you can visit a spa village on a rainy day. When the weather is clear the highest point of the Algarve gives you a breathtaking view over the Algarve. When you go their, don’t take the shortest way, but go across the hills so that you can explore all the beauty of the Caldas de Monchique.
Lisbon
Conveniently there are two small railway stations nearby, Tunes and Ferreiras, where the fast train to Lisbon can be caught. Both stations are approximately 15 minutes by car from the Casa. This train makes only one stop in a small town just before Lisbon. The journey takes only 2 hours and 45 minutes, but the time flies because you can’t stop watching the beautiful landscape during this trip. The train takes you to the centre of Lisbon, at a station built specially for the world exhibition in 1998. From this station you can go by metro (underground) to see all the sights of this city. The city, which is built on seven hills, has a rich history due to the colonial and exploration period of Portugal’s past. Actually, one day in Lisbon is too short to discover it all.
Sevilla
Five minutes from the Casa is a Motorway entrance, and from here it is a straight drive down to Sevilla. You will arrive in Sevilla after a beautiful trip across the Algarve and Andalusia. Sevilla is one of the largest cities of Spain. It is a magnificent city, but above all Sevilla is a normal working, and clean city. Just buy a small town map and discover all the beauty of this city. You can see the largest cathedral of Spain, little romantic alleys and squares. The big square called “Plaza de España” showing all the provinces of Spain with the special tiles, called ”Azuleijos”. These very colourful Azuleijos are typical tiles used in Spain and Portugal. When you walk along the “Guadalquivir” you will see the old guard tower “Torre del Oro”. From there you can take a visit to the cinema or find out what a real bullfight is like. Don’t forget to eat “tapas” in Sevilla, because people say that the tapas are originally from this city.
Tavira
Tavira is a really cosy and picturesque village, which is also the warmest town in the Algarve whole year around. This village is well-known for her big amount of churches (40) and because of the variation of roofs. This comes to expression when you walk trough the old centre of Tavira. You can try the local, typical delicacies at the large square. Where you can view the impressive city hall.
Moncarapacho
From Tavira you can take a shortcut to Olhão. On your way to Olhão you can stop in Moncarapacho. This little village is built around a church and it really looks lovely to see the old Portuguese people sleeping or reading the paper on a bench near the church. Just have a small drink on one of the terraces in Moncarapacho. The time stands still here.
Olhão
After driving across small villages and fruit yards you will enter Olhão. This old village, where the fishermen lived, and which shows the influences left behind by the Moorish people. It is nice to walk along the waterfront and see the fish auction hall, which is still in use. It is difficult to resist the temptation to sample a plate of fresh fish in any of the many small fish restaurants.
Loulé
Loulé is situated on a hill and is famous for its big church and markets. It is also famous for being the centre of labour in the Algarve. Each Saturday people from the Northern provinces try to sell their goods in the main municipal covered market. It is wonderful to see all the goods and to walk around this market. Don’t forget to climb up the hill to the big church. From there you can see Loulé and its surroundings.
Faro
Faro is not just the Capitol of the Algarve. This city has a lot more to offer. Faro is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a Nature Reserve of over 17.000 hectares and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds during the spring and autumn. Another thing you have to see in Faro is the old part of the city, which is still surrounded by the Roman walls which date back to the 9th Century. Inside is a spacious open square that was once the site of the Roman Forum, also where the 13th Century Cathedral is situated.
Albufeira
Albufeira was once a small fishing village, but the Great Earthquake of 1755 destroyed most of the old town, including its castle. Some of the old charm still remains along the narrow back streets. Nowadays, Albufeira is the tourist capital of the Algarve. Every summer thousands of tourists visit this place to enjoy one of the beaches and the sun. Albufeira offers a big variety of nightlife, with a lot of restaurants, bars and clubs.
Lagos
Some people are saying that Lagos owns the seven most beautiful beaches in the Algarve. We have to say that they are absolutely right. All seven little bays are surrounded by picturesque red and golden rockeries. A great activity to do is the little boat trips in “Ponte de Piedade”. From the sea you can see the breathtaking rockeries and beautiful bays of Lagos.
Sagres
It is a spooky place when it’s cloudy and windy, but it is very nice when the sun shines. A lot of tourists are visiting this place in the summer, but if you venture away from the coaches and kiss-me-quick souvenirs piled high at the entrance, you'll find some lovely windswept beaches and quiet corners where you can contemplate the end of the world!
