Gale Villas

Destination Information

Gale boasts one of the finest beaches on the Algarve, a vast expanse of golden sand with a selection of beachside bars, cafés and watersports. This is a very sought after area and offers clifftop walks along the Algarve’s famously rugged coastline, leading to hidden coves. Gale is also home to the Algarve’s only two Michelin starred restaurant, and there are many other amenities and entertainment opportunities within easy reach of this coastal village.

Beaches

Praia da Galé (Blue Flag)

Facilities: Disabled access, Sunshade rental, Showers, Windsurfing, Sailing, Small craft hire, Bar, Restaurant

Surrounded by golden cliffs, Praia da Galé Beach is home to diverse rock formations creating a picturesque landscape. Nearby you will find restaurants and bars in the village as well as the seasonal beach bar.

Praia dos Salgados (Blue Flag)

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

Ochre cliffs give way to the golden sand beach and dunes. Salgados lagoon is an importants stop-off point for migratory birds (including the protected species: red heron, blue-black grassquits, caimans and curlews).

Events and festivals

Details for nearby Albufeira:

December 30 to January 2nd - "Paderne Medieval Days" - A historic parade, a medieval market, a food court, traditional games and entertainment attract large crowds to the nearby village of Paderne over the New Year holiday

February 21st - "Algarve Carnival"

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

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

June 10th - "Portugal Day", National holiday

July - "Festa do Frango no Churrasco" - for 3 days the tempting aromas of barbecued chicken will fill the air in this festival dedicated to the delicacy

"Feira de Artesanato de Albufeira" - Displays and sales of traditional crafts from the region take place over 9 days. There will also be music with various artists each day

August - "Festa de Nossa Senhora da Guia" - Mass followed by a procession and then various entertainment in the evening

The Annual Sardine Festival takes place in Olhos de Água over 4 days. The barbecues will be busy

August 14th - "Festa da Nossa Senhora da Orada" (the festival of Our Lady of the Oracle - the patron saint of Albufeira fishermen) - Mass at Igreja Matriz is followed by a procession to Praia dos pescadores and back to the church. There will also be entertainment in Largo Enginheiro Duarte Pacheco(in the centre of town) and fireworks

August 15th - "Assumption of the Virgin", National holiday

August 20th - Albufeira municipal holiday where the town celebrates with sports events and entertainment in the day and fireworks in the evening

September 3rd - "Festa do Beato Vicente" - The festival of the 'beatified Vicente' - Vicente de Santo António was born in Albufeira in 1590 and beatified by Pope Pius IX in 1867 after going as a missionary to Japan and being burnt at the stake for his religion in1632. His statue stands in Largo Jacinto d´Ayet. There is a Solemn Mass followed by a procession from Igreja de Matriz. Later in the evening there are more celebrations followed by fireworks

September - "Festa do pescador" (The fishermans festival) - Celebrated at Praia dos Pescadores, along with the folklore festival. The event lasts for 2 days

A gastronomy festival takes place, where various participating restaurants will be cooking dishes to show the specialities of the region

Albufeira Jazz Festival

1st Sunday in October - "Festa de Nossa Senhora da Esperança" (patron saint of Paderne) - Mass, followed by a procession through the main streets of the nearby village of Paderne

October 5th - Republic Day, National holiday

October 8th - "Feira da Guia" - A traditional fair selling clothes, jewellery, trinkets, porcelain etc in nearby Guia

October 11th-14th (Provisional) - Portugal Masters Golf Championship, a European tour event held at nearby Vilamoura

November 1st - All Saints Day, National holiday

December 1st - Independence Day, National holiday

December 8th - Immaculate Conception, National holiday

Shopping

Albufeira markets:

• Gipsy / Flea Market on the street 'Rua da Escolas' (near the municipal canteen) on the 3rd Saturday of every month

• Market twice a month in Caliços on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month

Climate data for this region.

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