Arade River’s centuries-old cannons gain “National Treasure” status
Portimão Council has announced that the 17th century cannons that were recovered from the bottom of the Arade River between 1992 and 2006 have been given “National Treasure” status. The 10 cannons finally obtained the new status last Thursday (April 22) after the proposal was approved by the Council of Ministers. In fact, the cannons’ classification as a “National Treasure” had already been approved by the Museum, Conservation,...
Calling all birdwatchers
The Portuguese society for the study of birds (SPE) is looking for volunteers to join Portugal’s 2021 common bird census The nationwide bird census is described by SPEA as a “citizen science project” which relies on the contribution of volunteers to gather important information about the country’s common bird population. “It is important because these common species are a large part of our ecosystems, but because they are not...
Lagoa’s Convent’bio hosts paintings exhibition by Inna Hawker
On February 26, Local artist Inna Hawker inaugurated an exhibition of several paintings at Lagoa’s Convent’bio store. The exhibition will run until the end of April and will be open for individual viewings only due to the Covid-19 pandemic. An opening ceremony with food and drinks is planned for when the ongoing lockdown is lifted. Inna is a self-taught artist who was born in Ukraine in 1981 and moved to Portugal over 10 years ago....
Lagoa among “safest destinations in Europe in times of pandemic”
The Algarve municipality of Lagoa has been named one of the safest destinations to visit in Europe in 2021, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to online portal European Best Destinations (EBD). Destinations were selected based on criteria such as “the number of active cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 inhabitants, the number of deaths, health measures, recommendations put in place by the authorities to welcome you in...
Anke Punt unveils new art series
Fifty percent of proceeds will go to the Alvor children’s home Lar de Crianças Bom Samaritano German artist Anke Punt will be exhibiting her new art series at Lagoa’s Convent’bio from January 1 to 31, 2021. “It all started with my passion for art and learning from the old masters. This, combined with a love for nature, was the beginning of a new series,” said Anke Punt. “Convent’bio is a beautiful place and they supported my idea of...
Vila Vita Parc launches food delivery service
‘Home & Away’ is the name of a new food delivery and take away service launched by Vila Vita Parc resort in Porches. “Apart from the wide selection of dishes created by the team of chefs at the resort, creative Christmas hampers are also available to be ordered for the festive season,” the resort announced. The menu includes “ready-made Asian bites, prime meat dishes and a wide variety of cakes, petit fours and cookies, as well as...
Carvoeiro’s iconic Alfanzina lighthouse turns 100
Farol de Alfanzina in Carvoeiro (Lagoa) celebrated its 100th anniversary on Tuesday, December 1. To mark the milestone, the Association of Lighthouse Keepers and Lagoa Council are planning to carry out a series of activities at the iconic lighthouse throughout the coming year, including exhibitions, lectures, talks, artistic performances and guided tours. The programme is to be revealed soon. Set along the stunning coast of Carvoeiro,...
Algarve named Europe’s Leading Beach Destination at tourism ‘Oscars’
Portugal has emerged as one of the winners of the European edition of the World Travel Awards. The country has brought home 26 ‘tourism Oscars’, including the prizes for Leading Destination (Portugal) and Leading Beach Destination (Algarve). It is the fourth year in a row that Portugal has been elected Europe’s top destination. “It is with great pride that we receive this award in this atypical year,” said Secretary of State for...
Lagoa to celebrate Wine Tourism Day with tuk-tuk tour
Lagoa Wine Experiences is the name of a new initiative that aims to shine the spotlight on locally produced wines. Launched in celebration of Wine Tourism Day, the initiative will start with a tour of three wine estates on Saturday, November 7. The tour will begin at 10.30am at the wine cellars of the Adega Cooperativa do Algarve, one of the oldest in Portugal, followed by a tuk-tuk ride to the historic Quinta da Palmeirinha estate...
Lagoa artist’s giant painting of Lewis Hamilton goes viral
– October 29, 2020 Formula 1 icon Lewis Hamilton was “totally blown away” by a giant painting in his honour that was painted onto a private football pitch in Mexilhoeira Grande, Portimão, by Algarve street artist HUARIU. The British racing legend, who last weekend celebrated his record 92nd F1 career win at the Algarve International Racetrack, shared a video of the massive work of art on his Instagram page, which, at the time of...
Lagoa to host first Wine Cities Competition in November
It’s official – Lagoa has been selected to host Portugal’s first Wine Cities Competition, which will take place between November 26 and 29 at the town’s São José Convent. Around 600 Portuguese wines are to be judged, all of which will automatically enter the European wine competition ‘Città del Vino’ to be held in Italy between May 20 and 23 next year. “The Wine Cities Competition is the only such initiative in the world that...
Local project wins silver medal at architecture awards
Ferragudo studio Marlene Uldschmidt Architects was awarded the silver medal in the category for Residential – Single-family Houses, at the Prémios Lusófonos de Arquitetura for their project Villa Petra Located in Carvoeiro, Villa Petra is a renovation project set in a low-density area and features several amenities such as pool and a tennis court, along with stunning landscape with palm trees and tropical plants. The Prémios Lusófonos...
Expressions of colour
From October 3 to November 28, the Celas Conventuais do Centro Cultural Convento S. José will welcome an exhibit from artist Ana Sota titled “Expressions of Colour”. Creating vibrant pieces with acrylic on canvas and wood, the artist seeks to blend the bright with the opaque whilst playing with strong colours and monochromatic tones. Looking to create a simple and vibrant universe that awakens different emotions in...
Spy Manor Productions & Production Algarve launch Film Collective
Twenty professionals from the region attended the launch event of Algarve Film Collective at Spy Manor on Friday, August 28. The initiative aims to bring together professionals from the film, fashion and the entertainment industries working in the Algarve region. Early last month, Spy Manor Productions and Production Algarve announced a long-term collaboration to raise the profile of the region as a destination for the global media...
Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer Jr brings “A Night in Havana” to Estômbar
The sounds and rhythms of Cuban music will bring the Sítio das Fontes in Estômbar alive on Friday, September 18 at 9.30pm. “A Night in Havana” is the name of an open-air concert by Ibrahim Ferrer Jr, son of Cuban singer of the same name, known for being at the centre of the Buena Vista Social Club ensemble of legendary Cuban singers. The “intimate performance” will see the artist interpret some of the greatest classic Cuban songs,...
Lagoa hosts 7th International Guitar Festival
The festival is returning from September 12 to October 1 The 13 scheduled concerts are set to take place in different locations in the municipality, showcasing the artistic and cultural heritage of the town of Lagoa, as well as offering different thematic proposals. The festival opens at the church of Ferragudo, in honor of the 500 Years of the Place of Ferragudo, with guitarist Francisco Morais Franco and Ensemble Med. The following...
Algarve’s F1 dreams come true
Portimão’s Algarve International Racetrack has been officially confirmed as the venue for the F1 Heineken Grand Prix Portugal between October 23 and 25 – July 30, 2020 The confirmation has been widely celebrated as the kind of good news the region has been desperately waiting to hear. Portimão Mayor Isilda Gomes said at a press conference to officially announce the long-awaited return of Formula 1 racing to Portugal after a 24-year...
Outdoor cultural events start this month in Lagoa
A series of outdoor events entitled “A Cultura Sai à Rua” (Culture Out in the Street) has been launched by Lagoa council and will last until September 5, “following all health authority (DGS) recommendations”. On July 23, there will be jazz music by Mistura Fina at Fontes de Estombar; on July 24, Mónica Pereira and Fad’nu will perform a dance and music show outside Lagoa’s main church; and on July 28, Carlos Guilherme (tenor) will...
Birdwatching festival returns to Sagres in October
The Sagres Birdwatching Festival, described as “Portugal’s largest nature event”, is returning to the Western Algarve between October 2 and 5. It has become an unmissable event for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike, who every year travel to Sagres to participate in the many birdwatching activities, boat trips and hikes. This year, the event will feature online activities for the first time, allowing people from all over the world...
Grand Prix finally confirmed for Algarve
Almost a month since A Bola sports newspaper broke the story that Portimão’s Algarve International Autodrome (AIA) would be hosting the first Formula One races in decades, the news has been ‘confirmed’, says the paper, with the 26th Portuguese Grand Prix set for October 4. An official announcement “will be made very soon”. Say reports, Portugal ‘won through’ after races were cancelled in Montreal, Canada, due to the pandemic. The last...
