About Alvor and the area:
It is believed the Carthaginians founded Alvor and its history is interesting. The Romans gave it the name Ipses and it was considered an important port and was allowed to issue its own money.
In the time of the Moors, who first occupied the area in 716, they gave it the named of 'Albur' and the town passed through both the Portuguese and Moors hands several times until 1250 when the Christians conquered it for the final time. King Dom João II, who is regarded as an outstanding Portuguese king, is recorded as dying within the town walls in 1495, one of Alvors many claims to fame.
Just a short stroll from the Country Club is the Praia de Alvor, a 3 mile long sandy beach, with rocky coves at its eastern end. Further afield, there are a combination of long sandy beaches and secluded beach coves stretching along the entire south coast.
There are about 100 sandy attractive beaches along the Algarve coast, all washed by the Atlantic ocean and due to the maritime shelf and water
On the coast between Alvor and Portimao is the huge sandy beach of Praia da Rocha. Sitting at the top of the huge cliffs is the strip, a neon world of bars and nightclubs, open from dusk ‘til dawn. The party capital of the western Algarve and a ten minute taxi ride from Alto, Praia da Rocha is the place to go in the evenings if you want to dance the night away, far enough to guarantee tranquillity at Alto, but close enough to let those who want to party the night away…
A visit to Lagos is also a must. A pretty little town, an important stopping point for yachts heading down to the Azores, before crossing the Atlantic, Lagos is located about half an hour to the west of Alto. With a host of good restaurants and a selection of shops selling everything from traditional Portuguese fare to designer labels, its an entertaining day trip to Lagos.
