Carvoeiro is a very pretty fishing village just a 45 minutes drive from Faro Airport and 3 hours south of Lisbon. Don't forget that with all airlines you can fly into one airport and fly out from another!

Carvoeiro has retained the character and traditions of Portuguese life. The local shops and mini-mercados stock everything that you will need and the local market sells fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and locally caught fish. There are also good butchers and bakers in the village.

The much larger town of Portimao is only 15 minutes drive away and has a pedestrianised area with designer shops and restaurants.

There are two excellent English Doctors, a good Clinic and a Dentist in the village.

Click here and visit the Carvoeiro.com site for more information.

Weather
The climate in this region of the Algarve is very warm and reliable through the summer months and even in July and August there is a cooling breeze coming in off the sea. The winter months of November to February are very mild and pleasant and the spring months of March, April and May are just glorious with the scent of mimosa and almond blossom filling the air.

Click here to see the seasonal averages over the past five years.

Beaches
Carvoeiro has its own sandy beach and close by are other secluded coves and beaches such as "Smugglers" and "Centianes" - perfect for long leisurely lunches in the beachside restaurants and cafes or just swimming, snorkling and sunbathing.

Water Sports
The waters around Carvoeiro's rock formations are ideal for snorkelling. The School of Windsurfing at Praia Grande, Ferragudo just 10 minutes drive away, has good facilities including jet and water skiing and catamaran sailing.

There are two Water Splash Parks within easy drive of Carvoeiro. The Big One and Slide and Splash both have their own buses and they also offer full day excursions from the village.

Places of Interest
ZOO MARINE and its "Dolphin Experience"; KRAZY WORLD with its Quad bikes, crocodile park and petting farm; SHETLAND PONY RIDING SCHOOL; SILVES Castle; BOAT TRIPS from Carvoeiro beach or deep sea fishing from Portimao and the MONCHIQUE MOUNTAINS with their beautiful views.

You can pick up information from the Tourist Board just by the Beach at Carvoeiro along with free magazines, and special offers.

Golf
There are three courses in Carvoeiro - Vale do Milho a 9 hole - par 3 Course - but with water hazards it can be quite tricky! Pinta and Gramacho - two testing championship courses - part of the Pestana Golfing Resort.

Other championship courses include Palmares and Penina about 20 minutes drive, San Lorenzo, Vilamoura, Vila Sol and Vale do Lobo about 25 to 35 minutes drive.

Tennis
The Carvoeiro Clube de Tennis and the Rocha Brava Tennis Clube, open to non residents, both with excellent facilities, hire out all necessary equipment. Coaching can be arranged.

Restaurants - Bars - Nightlife
The many bars and restaurants offer all types of cuisine from Italian, Indian and Chinese to French and of course Portuguese, where you can enjoy an excellent meal of freshly caught fish and sample the famous inexpensive Portuguese wines. Prices vary so check the menu outside. The attractive Monte Carvoeiro Piazza often has evening entertainment including Fado and local folk dancing.

The village is lively in the evenings but not too wild and you can either walk home or take an inexpensive taxi from the licenced rank in the centre of the village. For the teenagers there is always "the Bote" disco on Carvoeiro beach.