Well, here we are coming up for July already, the longest day of the year has passed and we get to make the most of the long, sun filled days ahead of us. The Algarve is not just about beachesthough. There is so much more going on and there so many exciting events coming our way this month.
THE ALGARVE: SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST BEACHES
So what is happening?
Music in July
From the 1st to the 7th July in Lagos, in the Taberna d’ Maria and Atabai, are 7 nights of jazz being performed by students from Lisbon. Each cafe will have the band on alternate nights and it should be a jumping atmosphere.
On the 7th July, Zoomarine, on the outskirts of Albufeira, is hosting the Orquestra do Algarve for an afternoon of rousing, popular orchestral music starting at midday. This will take place on the promenade of the ever-popular theme park.
Also on the 7th July, this time in Faro, a Fado night is to be held at the IPDJ (Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude) at 7pm. Fado is the haunting music of Portugal. An entry fee of Euros 7.5 will include food and drinks.
Louléwill be hosting their 19th International Jazz Festival on the 27th and 28th July in the historic town centre. Featuring many stars of jazz, soul and blues, with plenty of food and drink available to complete the entertainment.
Throughout this month there will be Jazz Festivals held in villages across the Algarve: check with your local Junta de Freguesia (Parish Council) or in the local press for more details of events near you.
Something different
Have you ever fancied having a look round a lighthouse? Well the Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse located nearby Lagos celebrates its centenary this year. To acknowledge this impressive achievement it will be opened up to the public for viewing every Wednesday between 2.30pm and 5pm throughout July. Possibly the best view of the Atlantic!
The International Sand festival in Pera will continue to be open all through July. This year has a musical theme with some very famous figures sculptured to perfection from massive piles of sand.
The Moors are back
Once again towns and villages will be celebrating the Moorish influence in the Algarve.
Vila Adentro, in the old town of Faro, hosts the first of these festivals in a four day extravaganza from Wednesday the 10th to Sunday the 14th of July from 7pm to 1am each day. The Feira Medieval feature traditional craftsmanship, gastronomy and an Arabian souk among other delights, visitors can enjoy the costumes, colour and camels. Tickets cost between €5 and €20.
On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July the ancient village of Salir, located north of Loulé, will be holding their Medieval Festival. The locals will be taking us back in time to when the Christians and Moors were disputing ownership of the Algarve.
On Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st July, Vila Real de Santo Antonio will spend 4 days presenting their Medieval Festival in Cacela Velha. By recreating the occupation of the Arabs, ‘Noites de Moura Encatada’ (Enchanted Nights) will demonstrate the customs, flavours and fashions of the Moors, brought here when Cacela Velha was an important harbour.
Of course all of these festivals will be filled with food, drinks and music to complement the celebrations.
All the fun of the Fair
Monchiquewill be holding their famous annual Feira doPresunto (cured ham) and Festival doMedronho (Firewater) Fair from the 19th to the 21st of July. This will also include lots of other local produce and traditional products, with a generous helping of musical entertainment.
From the 26th to the 28th July we go back to Lagosfor the 27th annual Feira da Arte Doce (Sweets Fair) where you can watch the artisans at work, creating delicious sweet treats and displays, including giant Marzipan sculptures. Just as with all Fairs held in the Algarve, there will be music and dancing to entertain you between 6pm and midnight each day.
See a video of the 25th Feira da Arte Doce and get an idea of what it’s all about.
São Bras is holding their annual Feira da Serra (Mountain Fair) from July 27th to 29th. On offer are local produce and products from the hills of the Algarve with plenty of entertainment and music for the whole family.
As you can see, no festival or fair in the Algarve is complete without music and dancing, so eat, drink and be merry!
Classic Wheels
The 21st annual Classic Cars parade is the big draw to the Marina in Vilamourafrom 12th to 14th July. With 160 Classic Cars from around Europe participating, this is one of the biggest events of its kind in the region. The cars will start in the Marina opposite the Tivoli and will wend their way around the Algarve in different stages, finishing at the Conrad Hotel in Vilamoura.
You can find out the programme of events on the Classic Cars website. They could be passing near you or you can pop down and check these beauties out in Vilamoura.
Biker Wheels
The 18th to the 21st July sees the return of the famous Faro International Motorcycle Rally, where bikers from all over the world gather. As usual the Moto Clube de Faro will be organising this 32nd ‘Bikers Mecca’, catering to many thousands of bikers for this four day jamboree. With rock concerts held each night, food and drink available day and night, exhibitions happening all day and of course rides through the town, this is the place to be. Check out scenes from the 31st Rally last year:
Grand Finale
Rounding off a busy month and leading into an even busier month ahead, Farois laying on their 20th Festa da Ria Formosa (Seafood Festival) in the old town. This takes place on the 25th of July and carries through to the 4th of August. Straight out of the Ria Formosa, into the pot and onto your plate comes a wealth of shellfish, including prawns, whelks, crabs, oysters and much more. Cooked in front of you and served with a smile, traditional cataplanas, whelk stew and seafood rice will feature on many menus. Dessert stalls, kids entertainment, live shows and low flying aircraft from 6pm each evening, all make for a fantastic night out.
Once again the Algarve has outdone itself in providing a wide variety of things to do, places to go and people to see this month.
Have we missed anything? Let us know! Have you been to any of these events in previous years? Please share by simply adding to the comments section – we look forward to hearing from you!
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Things to do in the Algarve for July 2013
by Sun’s Dragon
Well, here we are coming up for July already, the longest day of the year has passed and we get to make the most of the long, sun filled days ahead of us. The Algarve is not just about beaches though. There is so much more going on and there so many exciting events coming our way this month.
THE ALGARVE: SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST BEACHES
So what is happening?
Music in July
From the 1st to the 7th July in Lagos, in the Taberna d’ Maria and Atabai, are 7 nights of jazz being performed by students from Lisbon. Each cafe will have the band on alternate nights and it should be a jumping atmosphere.
On the 7th July, Zoomarine, on the outskirts of Albufeira, is hosting the Orquestra do Algarve for an afternoon of rousing, popular orchestral music starting at midday. This will take place on the promenade of the ever-popular theme park.
Also on the 7th July, this time in Faro, a Fado night is to be held at the IPDJ (Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude) at 7pm. Fado is the haunting music of Portugal. An entry fee of Euros 7.5 will include food and drinks.
Loulé will be hosting their 19th International Jazz Festival on the 27th and 28th July in the historic town centre. Featuring many stars of jazz, soul and blues, with plenty of food and drink available to complete the entertainment.
Throughout this month there will be Jazz Festivals held in villages across the Algarve: check with your local Junta de Freguesia (Parish Council) or in the local press for more details of events near you.
Something different
Have you ever fancied having a look round a lighthouse? Well the Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse located nearby Lagos celebrates its centenary this year. To acknowledge this impressive achievement it will be opened up to the public for viewing every Wednesday between 2.30pm and 5pm throughout July. Possibly the best view of the Atlantic!
The International Sand festival in Pera will continue to be open all through July. This year has a musical theme with some very famous figures sculptured to perfection from massive piles of sand.
The Moors are back
Once again towns and villages will be celebrating the Moorish influence in the Algarve.
Vila Adentro, in the old town of Faro, hosts the first of these festivals in a four day extravaganza from Wednesday the 10th to Sunday the 14th of July from 7pm to 1am each day. The Feira Medieval feature traditional craftsmanship, gastronomy and an Arabian souk among other delights, visitors can enjoy the costumes, colour and camels. Tickets cost between €5 and €20.
On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th July the ancient village of Salir, located north of Loulé, will be holding their Medieval Festival. The locals will be taking us back in time to when the Christians and Moors were disputing ownership of the Algarve.
On Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st July, Vila Real de Santo Antonio will spend 4 days presenting their Medieval Festival in Cacela Velha. By recreating the occupation of the Arabs, ‘Noites de Moura Encatada’ (Enchanted Nights) will demonstrate the customs, flavours and fashions of the Moors, brought here when Cacela Velha was an important harbour.
Of course all of these festivals will be filled with food, drinks and music to complement the celebrations.
All the fun of the Fair
Monchique will be holding their famous annual Feira do Presunto (cured ham) and Festival do Medronho (Firewater) Fair from the 19th to the 21st of July. This will also include lots of other local produce and traditional products, with a generous helping of musical entertainment.
From the 26th to the 28th July we go back to Lagos for the 27th annual Feira da Arte Doce (Sweets Fair) where you can watch the artisans at work, creating delicious sweet treats and displays, including giant Marzipan sculptures. Just as with all Fairs held in the Algarve, there will be music and dancing to entertain you between 6pm and midnight each day.
See a video of the 25th Feira da Arte Doce and get an idea of what it’s all about.
São Bras is holding their annual Feira da Serra (Mountain Fair) from July 27th to 29th. On offer are local produce and products from the hills of the Algarve with plenty of entertainment and music for the whole family.
As you can see, no festival or fair in the Algarve is complete without music and dancing, so eat, drink and be merry!
Classic Wheels
The 21st annual Classic Cars parade is the big draw to the Marina in Vilamoura from 12th to 14th July. With 160 Classic Cars from around Europe participating, this is one of the biggest events of its kind in the region. The cars will start in the Marina opposite the Tivoli and will wend their way around the Algarve in different stages, finishing at the Conrad Hotel in Vilamoura.
You can find out the programme of events on the Classic Cars website. They could be passing near you or you can pop down and check these beauties out in Vilamoura.
Biker Wheels
The 18th to the 21st July sees the return of the famous Faro International Motorcycle Rally, where bikers from all over the world gather. As usual the Moto Clube de Faro will be organising this 32nd ‘Bikers Mecca’, catering to many thousands of bikers for this four day jamboree. With rock concerts held each night, food and drink available day and night, exhibitions happening all day and of course rides through the town, this is the place to be. Check out scenes from the 31st Rally last year:
Grand Finale
Rounding off a busy month and leading into an even busier month ahead, Faro is laying on their 20th Festa da Ria Formosa (Seafood Festival) in the old town. This takes place on the 25th of July and carries through to the 4th of August. Straight out of the Ria Formosa, into the pot and onto your plate comes a wealth of shellfish, including prawns, whelks, crabs, oysters and much more. Cooked in front of you and served with a smile, traditional cataplanas, whelk stew and seafood rice will feature on many menus. Dessert stalls, kids entertainment, live shows and low flying aircraft from 6pm each evening, all make for a fantastic night out.
Once again the Algarve has outdone itself in providing a wide variety of things to do, places to go and people to see this month.
Have we missed anything? Let us know! Have you been to any of these events in previous years? Please share by simply adding to the comments section – we look forward to hearing from you!
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.