Surfing in the Algarve

Portugal has been attracting surfers to its shores for decades. It offers quality surf year long with excellent sandy beaches and point breaks. It delivers a decent sized surf peak and, with waters never dropping too low, offers a great year-round destination for world-class surf and a wonderful culture to match.

The Algarve is well known amongst the surfing fraternity for its lively Atlantic coastline. The areas with the greatest quality and quantity of waves are the south west of the Algarve and the west coast, going all the way up the country to the border with Spain. The surf found to the far west of the region offers some amazing surfing conditions in a beautiful back drop of cliffs and bays. Swells are generated out of the Atlantic Ocean arriving along the Portuguese coastline with train like regularity and the Algarve benefits even more due to its geographical make up of bays and points. There is surf to suit all standards of surfer in the Algarve. The south coast tends to have nice waves during the bigger winter swells but the further you go away from the west coast, the smaller they become. It is these two very different coasts that make for such a special surfing location. With one coast facing south and the other facing predominantly west, if there is any swell around there will always be waves somewhere. Depending on the swell direction, it only takes an ocean swell of 2 or 3 feet for the better breaks to start working.

Summer on the west coast will usually see clean waves from waist to chest high (depending on the height of the surfer!). Either side of summer, the west coast produces consistent swell that can be nicely over head. The west coast can have regular 15ft swells and Carrapateira has been known to hit 25ft!

With an enviable climate and year round waves the Algarve is fast becoming one of the continent’s most popular surfing destinations. It is also home to one of Europe’s most established surf camps – ‘The Surf Experience’, based in Lagos. Their package includes half-board, transportation, equipment hire, and tuition.

Across the length and breadth of Portugal, surfers of all standards should find what they are looking for. If you want to experience unique European surf in the sun all year long then this should be your first choice.

Learning Portuguese

Whether you are just looking to spend your holidays in Portugal or perhaps you are thinking of a more permanent move, it is worth considering learning the language.

Of course, English is widely spoken in areas such as the Algarve but it is nice to be able to understand a Portuguese menu or even order yourself a drink or meal in Portuguese.

There are many options available to assist you including books, cds, internet based learning and language schools. There are many colleges in the UK
offering Portuguese evening classes and if you are going to be living here you can attend one of the local language schools.

The Europa Algarve language school is located in the old part of Loule close to the Loule Camera (council) building. The school offers group, private and intensive courses and is a great way to meet new people whilst learning the Portuguese language.

Here are a few words and phrases that might come in useful!

Ola- Hello

Bom Dia- Good Morning

Boa tarde- Good Afternoon

Boa Noite- Good Evening

Tudo Bem?/Como esta?- How are you?

Com Licenca- Excuse me

Desculpe- Sorry

Obrigado/a-Thank you

De nada!- You are welcome!

And of course a very important request- Uma cerveja se faz favor! A beer please!

Go on give it a try!

Horse riding in the Algarve

There is an abundant selection of facilities for both horse riding and stabling across the Algarve. Below are a few of these establishments:

Pinetrees Riding Centre is a British run riding school in a 5 star holiday resort in Almancil. The team provides qualified riding teachers speaking many languages amongst them. The two arenas are used for dressage, jumping, beginners’ lessons, and ‘Riding for Disabled Riders’ sessions. The horses can cater for children and adults of up to 14 stone. Changing rooms with toilets and showers are on site and riding equipment is supplied.

Vale Ferros is a well equipped riding centre close to Portimão and Lagos, a short distance from the sea and beautiful sandy beaches of the Algarve. Programmes are designed for novices – ‘Learn to Ride’ – and for riders who seek a more intensive experience on horseback – ‘Discovery Trail’ – a true adventure with rides taking place in the mountains, on the beach, and on the plains of the Algarve, mainly within the Monchique Natural Park. Another programme provided is entitled ‘Dressage with Lusitano Stallions’.

Tiffany’s Riding Centre is situated in Almádena, on the outskirts of Lagos. It caters for all the family, including lead reins for tiny tots, beginners’ rides, hacks from 1 to 3 hours, and all day adventure trails through stunning scenery.

 

Quinta de Paraíso Alto is one of the largest stables in the area. They offer a wide variety of quality rides and competition horses, and lessons from qualified instructors, rides to suit all standards, individuals or small groups, all through beautiful scenery with breath taking views. They also accept horses for livery and training.

Quinta do Lago Riding Centre has stabling for 26 horses and a large arena for show jumping and dressage. The staff caters for all standards, from novice to advanced riders. Quinta do Lago has miles of riding trails and the surrounding countryside and uncrowded beaches have much to offer the horseback explorer.

Red Horse Ranch, tucked away beneath the gently hills above Loulé, is the ideal base for horseback safaris. A 1 or 2 hour trek in the immediate surroundings of the ranch incorporates spectacular panoramic views of the coast and the Algarvean countryside. These short rides are suitable for the less experienced riders. For more experienced riders there is a choice of whole day, overnight, and week long treks.

Wildlife in the Algarve

The Algarve is a haven for an eclectic mix of wildlife species, many of which are sadly waning in numbers.

The Algarve makes an ideal stopping point for migratory birds during the winter months. Storks are a common sight and often build their nests on church bell towers, chimneys, and other high buildings in town. The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa is considered the most important wildlife sanctuary in the Algarve. This natural reserve stretches along 40 miles and its rich ecosystem is ideal for the development of varied flora and fauna. The Ria Formosa lagoon was created by the last great earthquake in 1755 and has been a nature reserve since the mid-eighties, where sea water birds can find protected breeding places. Its lagoons, marshes, channels and islets are abundant in shellfish such as cockles, clams and oysters, and shelter a variety of birds such as flamingos, the cattle egret, white stork, oyster catchers, ibis, and cranes, to name but a few. Another nature reserve is that of Castro Marim, covering over 5 acres of land. The biggest attraction here is the large number of birds, especially aquatic birds. There are 153 species to spot including storks, avocets, sand pipers, mallards, and flamingos. This reserve is also home to many species of mollusc, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. A visitors’ centre at Cerro da Rocha provides literature and guided visits.

The Portuguese water dog has long been associated with the Algarve and is now a regular character in the Ria Formosa National Park. The breed was long ago used by fishermen to work on the boats and was treated as much a part of the crew as the men, earning the right to their fair share of the catch. Renowned for its ability to swim, dive, and retrieve, they were used to herd fish, retrieve nets, and relay messages between the boats. This dog is highly intelligent and possesses incredible swimming and diving techniques, magninfied by its characteristic webbed feet. It also has the ability to detect sharks by staring into the water. As the number of working boats began to dwindle due to modern fishing techniques, so did the need for the water dog. Whilst this creature can still be found in the Algarve as a pet or working dog, it is still recognised as a rare breed. The kennel in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, near Olhão, specialises in this breed and gives visitors the opportunity to see and stroke the dogs, talk to their handlers, and learn more about the breed.The Iberian Lynx, the most endangered of the world’s 36 cat breeds, teeters on the edge of extinction. This cat is just over twice the size of a domestic cat but with longer legs. They have distinctive bob tails and tufts on the ear tips. An average adult can weigh up to 15kgs. Their ideal habitat is a mixture of mature Mediterranean scrub and forest, and open meadows in which to hunt. To avert the tragedy of extinction, the conservation organisation ‘SOS Lynx’ has been formed.

The Dolphin is a natural visitor to the shores of the Algarve. Dolphin watching boat trips provide visitors the chance to see the dolphin in its natural environment. Several companies run these trips from the marinas of Lagos and Portimão and Alvor Harbour.

Take the opportunity to appreciate the natural wildlife of the Algarve whilst you are here on holiday. After all, there is more to know of the Algarve than simply lying on one of its beautiful beaches.

Mortgages and financial advice in Portugal

When buying a property in Portugal, it is worth contacting a Portuguese bank with regards to mortgages available as they can often offer superior rates or conditions than that offered by your current bank.

We recommend that you contact an independent mortgage adviser in order that they can establish your particular requirements and find the best deal for you. We currently recommend such a company here who are based in Almancil although they are happy to meet you in any area of the Algarve. They do not charge a fee for their services and by contacting them you will not have to navigate your way around the banking system if you have limited Portuguese. They work independently and are able to offer a great range of mortgage and investment products through a number of well known financial institutions here in Portugal. As well as mortgage advice, they are able to offer a range of services such as investment advice, home, car and life insurance and foreign exchange transfers.

General documentation required to apply for a mortgage in Portugal is listed below.

• Portuguese tax number (the company can arrange this for a small fee)
• Copy of ID card or passport
• Last 6 months of bank statements (current and savings)
• Birth certificate
• Last years tax return (P60)

Further documentation will be required with regards to your current employment status. Mortgages for non residents are offered up to 80% loan to value. The borrowing level is based on the house valuation and not the purchase price.

Please contact us if you would like more information and we would be pleased to ask a representative to contact you to discuss your requirements further. You can email us on gatehouse@sapo.pt or call on our UK number +44 208 123 1880. This will divert free of charge to our office in the Algarve.

Next Page »