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 Loulé History
This place is a rural administrative and active market town
with some remains of a castle dating back to the 12th Century.
The Arab castle has been virtually destroyed leaving
some walls still standing that are now surrounded by modern
buildings. Like most other towns in the Algarve, most of the
older potentially interesting buildings have been destroyed
in the earthquake that occurred in 1755.
Loulé - Description
Within the remaining walls is a museum with an explanation of
what was in the past the grandeur of the castle. The various
earthquakes that it has suffered through its history have
damaged the 13th Century Church of São Clemente. However,
its Gothic arches and side chapels that are from the 16th
Century have survived. The town Loulé consisting of some
20,000 residents is mainly concerned in producing souvenir
products made out of copperware, leather, cane and wood, or,
servicing the tourist industry. The weekly Fair attracts
tourists from all along the Algarve. Due to the demands of the
tourism this town has blossomed in size. An important event is
the annual Carnival held in February that is considered to be
one of the best in Portugal. In the town there is a Museum that
is devoted to the local industry of dried fruits and it is
interesting to see how these products are prepared for the
public. To the west of the town is a hilltop Church that is
built on the site of a 16th Century chapel. This is the
destination of an annual religious procession that requires some
physical effort on the part of the bearers of the church's
religious shrines.
Loulé - Nearby Locations
Near to Loulé is Almancil a small town that acts
also as a supplier of services to the prosperous holiday areas
just south on the coast. Further inland is the small village of
Alte, a village that is known for its un-spoilt rural
architecture and its enthusiasm for folk music. Another inland
village is Paderne that has a romantic 13th Century castle
in ruins sitting alone on the crest of a deserted hilltop. The
coastal town of Quarteira that was once a fishing village
is now converted into a multi-apartment tourist location. Not too
far away from Loulé is the village of Querença with
its stalactite caves. Also, the village of Salir with ruins
of a castle and a nearby two 800 meters long walls from the
Neolithic period. The small village of Benafim existing
from Arab times and within easy reach of Loulé, still
reflects rural life from the early part of the last century.
This area has two added attractions in both the caves at Alto
Fica and the rock face of Rocha da Pena. The towns of
São Brás de Alportel and Santa Bárbara de Nexe, are
both small and also demonstrate the fast disappearing Portuguese
atmosphere reflecting the rural social style of life. In São
Bras de Alportel there is an interesting museum that houses a
permanent collection of rural artefacts and costumes truly
reflecting the past manner of living in the Algarve.
Loulé
(Area Map)
Loulé Events
February - Carnival
May - Feira de Mãe Soberana
1st Saturday of each month - Market Day
13th of May - Municipal Day
Loulé Restaurants
Selected list for Loulé area
 Useful Loulé Telephone Numbers
Town Hall - 289 400 600
Fire Brigade - 289 516 702/289 416 704
Police - 289 416 408/289 627 82
Emergency Treatment - 289 313 665
Ambulance - 289 516 702
Tourist Office - 289 463 900
Useful Loulé Facts
Postal Code - 8100
Algarve Towns
Albufeira
· Almancil
· Alvor
· Armação de Pera
· Carvoeiro
· Faro
· Lagoa
· Lagos
· Monchique
· Olhão
· Portimão
· Quarteira
· Sagres
· Silves
· Tavira
· Vilamoura
· Vila Real de Santo António
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