Algarve Holiday Villas - Tips and Advice on Rentals

by: SteveWoodward
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Only in recent years has Lagos, Algarve, Portugal become a popular tourist destination and yet has still managed to retain much of its history. As you wander through its streets you will find some really wonderful buildings to admire including one that dates back to 1445. The town of Lagos (not to be mistaken for the Nigerian city) is situated in the southern part of the Algarve at the mouth of the River Bensafrim.

The town is not only beautiful but near to it are some of Portugal's most beautiful beaches as well. Yet they are not reached easily a walk to Praia de Dona Ana the closest of them all will take you around 25 minutes to complete.

However, if you don't feel like walking you are sure to find a taxi or local bus that can get you to this beach and others further along the coastline such as Praia do Comilo and Meia Praia. The Meia Praia beach is the furthest one along from Lagos town and stretches for 4km. Here you have the chance to enjoy the beach or take in one of the many water sport activities that are available. Plus if you can take a trip out to the sand bank on which stands Meia Praia Fort that was built in the 17th and 18th Centuries to help protect Lagos Bay.

Although these beaches prove to be extremely popular the main tourist area in Lagos is Ponta da Piedade which is situated in Lagos Bay. So it is protected from the winds that drive in off of the sea and here there are many things for one to see as the waters are very clear.

Most people when they visit Lagos spend time relaxing on the beaches and soaking up a few rays of the sun. However, there are some really wonderful sights to see and places to visit. This town has a very colorful history and throughout the 15th and 16th Centuries it was a very important naval center. Plus as you will soon discover as you wander around the town's museums and streets you will discover that from 1576 until 1756 the town was the Capital of the Algarve district.

There are still signs of when the Arabs occupied by the town, although a large part of it was damaged when the town was hit by an earthquake in 1755. Yet even so there architecture is still beautiful and retains many of the features you would expect from buildings erected during the 18th and 19th Centuries.

As you wander around the streets of Lagos, Algarve you will come across some very interesting statutes depicting famous people from the towns past. Certainly, the most controversial of all of these is the one dedicated to Dom Sebastio and which is to be found in the town's main square directly in front of the Town Hall.

The best time to visit Lagos, Algarve is at any time as the weather generally all year round is pretty good. But when it comes to booking accommodation if you intend to visit the town during the summer months then arranging it well in advance is advisable. Doing this will ensure that you get the accommodation that you want.

About the Author

Choose from one of the many holiday villas in the Algarve most of which have private pools & terraces. An advantage of renting an Algarve holiday villa is that you have choice to treat it like your home from home.  

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