Loule Villas

Praia da Quarteira (Blue Flag)

Facilities: Disabled access, Sunshade rental, Showers, Bodyboard, Small craft hire, Bar, Restaurant, Accessible beach

A great expanse of sand, the beach enjoys calm waters and excellent services.

Praia de Vale de Lobo (Blue Flag)

Facilities: Sunshade rental, Showers, Bodyboard, Windsurfing, Sailing, Small craft hire, Bar, Restaurant, Accessible beach

Flanked by red cliffs (on which is perched the famous Golf course), Vale de Lobo beach is located next to the resort of Vale do Lobo. The large sandy beach stretches for many miles and merges into the neighbouring beaches. Nearby you will find a host of facilities and amenties including a fantastic array of sporting activities (of notice are the water sports, Golf and Tennis) is a well maintained enviroment amidst a pine forest and gardens.

January - "Querença Chorizo Festival" - An annual festival in honour of St. Luis (the protector of animals). The festival includes a procession, musical entertainment and, of course, lots of homemade chorizo!

February (or occasionally March) - Loule Carnival - 3 days of celebration includes parades, music and dancing, the 3rd day being Shrove Tuesday. The centre of Loulé (Avenida José da Costa Mealha) is shut off for the carnival and it costs a few euros for entrance

February 21st - Algarve Carnival

Good Friday - The statues of the Virgin Mary and Christ are taken in a procession through the town

Easter Sunday - Feast of the Sovereign Mother (patron saint of Loule) - . Easter Sunday in Loulé marks the beginning of the celebrations. Thousands of people come to see the procession and join in what is known as the 'Festa Pequena', the small feast. The 'Festa Grande' takes place 2 weeks later

April 25th - Liberation Day, National holiday

May 1st - May Day (or Labour Day), National holiday - May Day is a day for celebrations and traditionally the festivities include dancing and music as well as heading into the countryside for a picnic lunch

May 18th - "Festa da Espiga" - A traditional festival held in nearby Salir on the Feast of Ascension (40 days after Easter). An "Espiga" is an arrangement of ears of wheat (or other cereal) to symbolize abundance mixed with poppies, roses, daisies and marigolds to symbolize the beauty of the countryside and an olive branch for peace and hung inside of the house where it will stay until changed for a "new" espiga the following year. Folkgroups, a parade, music, local delicacies and fun for all the family make a special celebration

June - Festival Med - One of the most important cultural entertainment events in the Algarve, Festival Med celebrates mediterranean music and culture, street entertainment, theatre, exhibitions, food and mediterranean inspired craftwork

June 10th - Portugal Day, National holiday

August 15th - Assumption of the Virgin, National holiday

October 5th - Republic Day, National holiday

November 1st - All Saints Day, National holiday

December 1st - Independence Day, National holiday

December 8th - Immaculate Conception, National holiday

Loule market:

• Weekly market on the street called 'Rua da Nossa Senhora da Piedade' every Saturday

Almancil market:

• Market twice a month near the school in Almancil on the 1st and 4th Sunday of every month