São Brás de Alportel

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“São Brás de Alportel” lies about 20km north of the capital of the Algarve, Faro. It is located in the so called “Barrocal” which is the door to the hinterland, the “Serra”, a chain of mountains that separate it from the coastal region. By whom or what was São Brás de Alportel influenced? In the 19th century it was the worldwide centre for cork production. Nowadays wine producers and foreign countries are discussing whether it would be more reasonable and cost efficient to use glass instead of cork. Will this push cork, the naturally produced material, to the side?
Sightseeing & culture:
Well-tended parts of the Ex-bishops’ palace with its fountain are open to the public. It was the summer residence for these gentlemen for a simple reason: the climate there was more moderate. The church is very impressive, in particular the chapel with its artful wood carvings, certainly out of the ordinary.
The little museum: Traditional costumes and gowns, as well as kitchen and other utensils give you an insight into life long ago. Walking through these rooms offers you a very good overview of this period of time. The pátio, with several carriages on display, is also open to visitors, and in the modern annex to the main building, a cork exhibition waits to be discovered.
“Friends of the Museum” organise regular cultural events in these halls, pick up their agenda! In the museum`s foyer you will find some interesting books, brochures and postcards about flora, fauna and history, in different languages.
“São Brás de Alportel” has a small market hall, plenty of shops, restaurants (also Indian cuisine), cafés, a very well stocked tourist information office, supermarkets, post office and bank.
“São Brás de Alportel” is the ideal base from which to discover nature, for birdwatching, hiking, also guided tours and mountain biking, but you can choose instead to drive to the coast and have fun on golf courses, with horse riding or watersports - it is not very far to go. An excellent starting point for your activities! Regular flea market, food market and gypsy market.

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