Loulé - Mod City in the Hills

by Almonds & Oranges          

Did you know?

Loulé is famous throughout Portugal for hosting the biggest and most flamboyant Brazilian-style carnival each year before Easter. At carnival time the town is transformed into a mesmerising party of colour, music and dancing. The event attracts people from all over the Algarve who come to watch the processions and join in the festive atmosphere.

Loulé – a great location to buy property

Seeking property in an authentic country town in the foothills of the Algarve mountains? Search no further than Loulé. This town is one of the oldest in the region and is located just 18 km (11 miles) northwest of Faro.

Loulé sits 12 km from the coastline of the “Golden Triangle”, an area which encompasses the luxury resorts of Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and the town of Almancil. It is an active market town which, despite having developed commercially, has retained its traditional charm and reputation as the craft capital of the Algarve.

The centre of the town is steeped in history. Its thirteenth century castle is built on an area previously settled by the Romans and its main church, Igreja Matriz de S.Clemente, was built on the site of an ancient mosque and also dates back to the thirteenth century. Loulé market hall (Mercado Municipal) is a striking landmark and an excellent example of classic Moorish architecture. It re-opened in early 2007 after a long period of renovation.

A wide range of property for sale

In contrast to the wide avenue lined with trees running through the town, Loulé’s streets are a maze of narrow alleyways lined with tall compact houses.

There is a vast range of properties for sale in Loulé. From brand new two bedroom apartments with all the mod cons, close to the town’s bars and restaurants, to townhouses, rustic homes, plots for development and splendid villas set in the tranquillity of the surrounding hills, many with extraordinary sea views.

Some perks of owning property in Loulé

• Faro Airport is just 20 minutes’ drive away and is served by several low-cost airlines
• traditional Algarve combined with modern living
• only 10 minutes’ drive to the 'Golden Triangle' town of Almancil
• easy access to excellent road and rail networks
• close to world-renowned golf courses
• a wide choice of local leisure activities for all ages including art galleries, swimming pools and a sports pavilion
• a wealth of restaurants and bars serving international cuisine
• traditional markets, numerous supermarkets, English-speaking banks, pharmacies, local health centres and other amenities
• major retail outlet a short drive away
• plenty of entertainment for the kids in and around Loulé, including Roma mini golf park in Vilamoura, Aquashow waterpark near Quarteira and the renowned
  Zoomarine centre in Albufeira

Plenty to do in and around Loulé

Browse the town’s cobbled streets and you will see how Loulé has gained a reputation as the craft capital of the Algarve. Local handicrafts include ceramics, copperware, leatherwear, embroidered linen and tableware, quilts and lace, many of which can be purchased at the colourful Saturday Gypsy Market, famous amongst the locals and holidaymakers. And, don’t miss the annual craft fair in July, when you can enjoy the festive music and atmosphere as you walk through streets lined with stalls displaying handicrafts and locally produced food products.

A choice of cuisine in Loulé

If you like to dine out, you’ll be spoilt for choice in Loulé. There are many restaurants to choose from in and around the town serving international cuisine, as well as countless Portuguese restaurants which combine flavours of the sea and the mountains. Tasty dishes of the region include sardines and seafood, and rabbit and pork specialties typical of rural towns.

A visit to the Mercado Municipal is a part of everyday life in Loulé. Open from Monday to Saturday, it is a lively market hall offering an excellent selection of fruit, vegetables, cheese, fresh fish and regional sweets. There are also a number of modern shops in the town and Algarve Shopping, one of the region’s largest retail outlets, is close by in Guia.

Keeping fit in Loulé

Into keeping fit? Loulé has its own sports pavilion and swimming pools. The swimming pool complex boasts a 50 metre Olympic outdoor pool and a 25 metre indoor pool which is open all year round. The outdoor pool has a semi-permanent cover during the winter months.
 
A 20 minute drive will take you to the Algarve’s “Golden Triangle” where you can enjoy golden beaches and a host of top class restaurants, bars and other amenities including world-renowned golf courses and a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities.

How do I find property in Loulé?

If you're seeking a location that’s easy to access and combines traditional Algarve with modern living, Loulé is probably the best place to start searching for your ideal property.

Meravista lets you browse Loulé properties online. With the help of our map-based search and excellent property photos, you could find exactly what you're looking for in a mere instant.