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Areas of interest in and around Loule
- Jardim dos Amuados (Garden of Sulks): An ancient Arab cemetary inside the castle walls.
- Municipal market: Open every day except Sundays, well worth a visit!
- Don't forget the Saturday market so you can treat yourself to some traditional delights! It takes place at the end of Rua da Nossa Senhora da Piedade, facing the convent of St. António.
Churches in the Loule area
- Igreja Matriz (Mother Church): The bell tower remains from the Mosque which once occupied the site, it was built in the 12th century and then modified in the 16th century.
- Igreja N.S. da Conceição (Church of Our Lady of the Conception): Dating from the 17th century, it contains precious "azulejo" tile panels and a rich gilt carved altarpiece.
- Nossa Senhora da Piedade: A modern dome shaped building reminiscent of a space ship - can easily be seen on a hill, just to the west of the town, from the A22 motorway
- Igreja Matriz de São Lourenço - just to the east of Almancil, was built at the beginning of the 18th century by, so the story goes, thankful locals who had suffered a drought and discovered a spring when they were digging for water. The blue and white azulejos (glazed tiles) that cover the interior of the church and also the very intricate woodwork were supplied by the top craftsmen of the day. It survived the 1755 earthquake intact and is now probably the best known church in the Algarve
Galleries and Museums in the Loule area
- Why not visit the Municipal Archaeological Museum:
Municipal Archaeology Museum de Loulé, Rua D.Paio Peres Correia no. 17, 8100-564 Loulé. Tel: 289 400 642
- Municipal Art Gallery, Convento EspÍrito Santo: Tel: 289 400 600 Ext.1214
- Loulé Historical Museum Archive Tel: 289 414 536
- Praça do Mar Municipal Gallery, Quarteira Tel: 289 313 275
- Cultural Centre of São Lourenço in Almancil: Hosts art exhibitions and concerts of classical music and jazz . Pieces of sculpture are displayed on the terraces and in the gardens.
Opening hours: 10.00h to 19.00h. Closed Mondays.
- Galeria da ASCA: Rua do Centro Comunitário, Almancil. Hosts temporary art exhibitions. Opening hours: 09.00to 13.00h and 14.00h to 18.00h. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
- Panda Art Gallery (Barros de Almancil - Escanxinas): Art exhibitions where you can buy the works of art as well as view them.
Opening hours: 10.00h to 13.00h and 14.00h to 18.00h. Closed Saturday afternoons, Sundays and holidays
Historical remains in the Loule area
- Loulé Castle: 13th/14th century fortress, of Arab origin, with three towers, a turret and a stretch of ramparts with a walkway along the top.
Leisure activities in the Loule area
- Loulé sports pavilion: Avenida Laginha Serafim.Tel: 289 400 888
As well as sports halls for indoor sports like roller hockey, basketball and volleyball there are cardio-fitness and weights rooms, squash courts, sauna and Turkish bath.
- Loulé municipal swimming pools: Tel: 289 400 990
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 8am to 8pm and Saturday - 8am to 7pm (Closed 2pm to 3pm)
Sunday - 8am to 1pm.
Closed on holidays
The facilities include a 50 metre outdoor pool which can be used all year round as there is an inflatable cover for winter; a diving pool and a 25 metre indoor pool.
Users are required to wear bathing caps, lycra style costumes (not baggy swim shorts) and flipflops for poolside use.
- Almancil Karting: A leisure and competition complex. The circuit is a replica of the Jacarepagua Formula 1 circuit in Brazil.
Tel: 289 399 899
- Aquashow water park and theme park: On the EN396 near Quateira
- Golf: 'Millenium', 'Laguna', 'Old Course', 'Pinhal', 'Vila Sol' and 'Victoria' are the closest courses
- Tennis courts: Loulé Municipal Park - 5 courts with sinthetic surface and lights allowing play into the evening. The courts are next door to the swimming pools and are open from 8am to 12 noon and from 2pm to 10.30pm on weekdays; from 9am to 1pm and from 3pm to 7pm on Saturdays; 9am to 1pm on Sundays.
- Zoomarine at Guia (10km from Albufeira): It's a great day out for the family with dolphin and sealion shows, birds of prey demonstrations and tropical birds show. It's both educational and fun. There are places to eat and drink, and also some fun rides like the pirate ship and water flume and pools to cool off in!
Opening hours are 10.00 to 18.00 March to end of June and 10.00 to 19.30 during the summer. Closed November to March.
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