Portugal City Travel Guide: Loulé, The Algarve
Loulé
Loulé is a traditional market town about 18 km north of Faro in the Algarve region of southern Portugal.
Not being a coastal resort, Loulé is one of the few places in the area that still offers a sense of the Algarve's pre-tourist-boom atmosphere.
Loulé has the same history of occupation by Romans and Moors as most other towns in the Algarve. It has a museum of archaeological relics of that era, the Museo Arqueologico.
The museum is inside a small castle of Moorish origin, which has great views from its ramparts.
Loulé is famous for its carnival festivities, which draw visitors from all over the Algarve.
Igreja Matriz de São Clemente
The Igreja Matriz de São Clemente near the Jardim dos Amuados (Sulky People's Garden) is the standout church in town with Manueline carvings and tile work. It was originally a mosque and the bell tower was converted from a minaret. It is now one of only a handful of remaining Moorish minarets in Portugal. The Jardim dos Amuados was once the church graveyard.
Loulé is also a good place to get traditional local handicrafts - you can actually watch the crafts women and craftsmen at work making baskets, saddles, woodcarvings lace and leather goods.
Many visitors come from the resorts on the coast for a day trip including as far away as Albufeira for Loulé's markets.
Mercado Municipal de Loulé
The main market in town is the red and white Arabesque covered market (Mercado Municipal de Loulé) which dates from 1908. This sells fruit and vegetables, fresh fish from the coast as well as Loulé's signature handicrafts. You can also shop here from a wide selection of cheese, meat, nuts, delicious dried fruit and local honey. Closed on Sunday.
The area around the market is particularly pleasant and the streets here are still laid out as they were in Medieval times. The attractive Câmara Municipal de Loulé (Town Hall) on Praça da República is close to the market.
Saturdays are the best days to visit for Loulé's markets. The Mercado Municipal spreads out in to the surrounding streets and the Saturday Market (Gypsy Market) near the Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade has stalls selling a variety of items from second clothes to hand-made jewelry to household items and bric-à-brac.
This is the largest and best weekend market in the Algarve.
There are several pleasant parks to enjoy including Parque Municipal de Loulé near the bus station, Jardim do Parque a little to the north and Jardim dos Amuados.
Castelo de Loulé & Museu Municipal
Within the Castelo de Loulé is the Museu Municipal (Municipal Museum) with exhibits from the town's long history. These include archaeological remains from the Bronze Age, Roman and Moorish periods. The castle dates from the 13th century, though it was damaged in the 1755 Earthquake. Parts of the original city walls still stand, however.
Branches of the Museu Municipal include a preserved Moorish period bath (Banhos Islâmicos de Loulé) found under the Casa Senhorial dos Barreto, a 15th century manor house. The Polo Museológico da Cozinha Tradicional has displays of traditional cooking utensils including copper plates, platters and pots, gourds and cork items.
The Câmara Municipal de Loulé (Loulé Town Hall) is one of the finest buildings in the town. It dates from the first half of the 19th century and was originally a private residence.
The Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade - Mãe Soberana, west of the center atop a small hill, is one of the most important Marian shrines in Portugal and its annual celebration is recognized as one of the largest religious festivals south of Fátima. The original hermitage dates from the 16th century with modern structures added in the 20th century. A wooden image of Nossa Senhora da Piedade is carried though the streets during the celebration.
Loulé Tourist Office
Avenida 25 de Abril 9, 8100-506
(Tel. 289 463 900)
Places to see around Loulé
There are a number of interesting places to see within easy traveling distance of the town. Close to the peaceful village of Estoi, to the east on the A22, are the remains of a 1st century AD Roman villa and bath complex - the Ruinas de Milreu. The nearby Palacio de Estoi was built in the late 18th century and is now a lovely Pousada.
The Igreja Matriz de Alte is in the picturesque village of Alte to the east, again about 30 minutes by car. The Manueline style church dates from the 16th century. Inside are fine azulejos tiles from the 18th century, a Baroque altar and several statues done in ivory.
A little west of town, south of the N270 is the interesting Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade. This is part of the Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Piedade, a small complex of Marian chapels ranging in age from the 16th to 20th centuries. An important pilgrimage site, the church hosts a large Easter festival, a large religious gathering, somewhat akin to those at Fatima. The 1755 earthquake damaged the buildings but they were soon restored in a beautiful Rococo style.
Getting to Loulé
Air Travel in Portugal
There are abundant scheduled, charter and no-frills flights to Faro Airport from all over Europe. Portugalia and TAP Fly from both Porto (via Lisbon) and Lisbon. There are TAP flights to Lisbon and Frankfurt and Easy Jet and Ryanair flights to multiple destinations throughout Europe.
Train Travel in Portugal
Faro Station (Tel. 289 801 726). There are four trains a day from Lisbon on the three or four-hour journey. There are local trains to Albufeira (30 minutes), Lagos (105 minutes), Loulé (20 minutes), Tavira (40 minutes) and Vila Real de San Antonio (70 minutes).
There are also trains from Faro to Lagos and Vila Real de Santo Antonio on the Spanish border.
Car Travel in Portugal
From the west, take Route 125. From Spain, get onto N125 going west. Loulé is 30 minutes by car north from Faro on the IC4 and N-124-5.
Bus Travel in Portugal
There is a bus every hour from Lisbon to Faro, taking 3 and a quarter hours to four hours depending on the route and the traffic. There are local buses from Faro to Albufeira, Lagos, Olhão, Portimão and Vila Real de Santo Antonio (via Tavira). EVA bus company runs a service to Sevilla in Spain via Olhão, Tavira, Vila Real de San Antonio, Ayamonte and Huelva.
Loulé is accessible by approximately hourly buses from Faro and train to Loulé Station on the Algarve Line. Note that the railway station is still 5 km from Loulé town center so the bus from Faro is the better and more direct option.
There are also fairly frequent buses from Albufeira.
From Faro Airport
There are two buses from the airport to Faro numbers #14 and #16. The local Proximo bus #16 runs from Faro Bus Station to Faro Airport and Praia de Faro. It takes 20 minutes between Faro Airport and Faro Bus Station. The Proximo bus #16 runs from Faro Bus Station to Faro Airport between 5 am and 11 pm. Buses from Faro Airport to Faro Bus Station run from 5.20 am-11.20 pm.
The less frequent number #14 bus runs in a circular route from Faro Atalaia to Faro Airport, Faro Praia then on to Forum Algarve and Faro Bus Station.
See here for more information on Proximo buses: www.proximo.pt.
Terminal Rodoviário de Faro (Faro Bus Station)
Av. da República
8000-078 Faro
Tel: 289 899 760
A taxi should be under 15 Euro to Faro, 70+ to Albufeira, 90+ Euro to Lagos and 30+ Euro to Tavira from Faro Airport. Please note these prices are estimates. It would be much cheaper, about half, to arrange your taxi beforehand online with a local Algarve taxi transfer company. We recommend Vitortransfers at Riosultravel, Agência de Viagens e Actividades Marítimo-Turísticas Lda. Alvará 511/86 Tel: +351 919 492 202.
Loulé Accommodation
Loulé is a small town with several very highly rated accommodation options, but which get booked out quite fast. Try the following recommendations first, as they represent the best of what Loule has to offer for reasonable rates.
The Loule Jardim Hotel overlooks the green parkland of Jardim Manuel de Arriaga in the middle of Loule. Housed in classic Mediterranean architecture, this beautifully refurbished hotel offers chic, modern vacationing with an exterior of old-world charm - and right in the center of the town close to all sorts of amenities. A well-equipped fitness room, a beautiful rooftop pool, a bar, sun terrace, airconditioning and a safe in each spacious room are just a few of the facilities guests enjoy. Furthermore, parking is free, and breakfast gets rave reviews.
The Downtown Loulé Prestige is centrally located, with Loulé Municipal Market just 5 minutes walk away. The rooms are quiet, and supremely comfortable with interior decoration that is as imaginative as it is elegant. Boasts all up-to-date facilities in a genteel setting, and is kept spotlessly clean. Guests love the attentive, friendly hospitality here. Enjoy a pampered stay in a charming environment, close to everything. Airport shuttle (charged for), tea/coffee maker in all rooms, free Wi-Fi, good breakfast.
The Casa Beny 1897 Luxury Guesthouse is a guest house in Loule only 10-15 minutes walk from the town's big bus terminal and municipal park. Everything here speaks old world elegance, without excess, in a beautifully refurbished interior that is as relaxing as it is refined. As well as guest rooms, has a bar, and a shared lounge and kitchen for guests' convenience. Supremely clean, and with a breakfast that guests rate highly. Each room has a tea & coffee maker, and many rooms come with a terrace. Guests with a car will have to find nearby parking.
See here for a complete listing of hotels in Loulé.
Book Hotel Accommodation in Faro
Hotels in Portugal - Booking.com
Albufeira Hotels - Booking.com
Book Hotels in Algarve - Booking.com
Find Hotels in Lisbon - Booking.com
Search Hotels in Porto - Booking.com
Apartments & Hotels in Madeira - Booking.com
Hostels in Portugal - Booking.com
Lisbon Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, Tramcars, and Yellow Boat River Tour
Eating
Enjoy a range of good Portuguese cuisine in Loulé as well as more recent additions such as sushi and vegan options. Some recommendations include Churrasqueira Jolibela, Restaurante Bocage on Rua Bocage, Restaurante Bica Velha, Cantina dos Sabores and 11 da Villa in Largo Dom Pedro I.
Drinking
Loulé is fairly quiet in the evenings but the Cafe Calcinha is an historic cafe/bar in Praça da República. (Tel: 964 066 842).
List your restaurant/bar/hotel contact Advertising
Estadio Algarve
Estadio Algarve. Seats 30,000. The stadium now hosts music festivals as well as sports events, but has become something of a white elephant as neither of the two local clubs Farense and Louletano can afford the upkeep of around 3 million Euros a year, a payment the local councils can ill afford. The Estadio Algarve is often used for an international women's football tournament in spring.
The average high June temperatures for Portugal is between 22 degrees Centigrade and 26 degrees Centigrade.
Get more weather information for Portugal
Faro & The Algarve Map
Algarve Resorts
Other places to visit in the Algarve region of Portugal include Albufeira, Alcoutim, Aljezur, Alvor, Cabanas, Cacela Velha, Faro, Ferragudo, Fuseta, Lagos, Loulé, Monchique, Olhão, Portimão, Praia da Rocha, Sagres, Silves, Vilamoura and Vila Real de Santo Antonio.