Alte

Travel Guide

Alte
Alte is a pretty village, set deep in the countryside of central Algarve. Away from the touristy coast, Alte is considered to be one of the best-preserved villages in the Algarve, with its whitewashed houses topped with traditional chimneys and quaint cobblestone streets. It is the ideal spot for a relaxing holiday by the village’s springs and waterfalls or as a base for exploring nearby towns and villages like Silves, Messines and Albufeira.

The Church of Alte or Church of Our Lady of the Assumption

Built in the late 13th century as a private chapel, the interior of this church is worthy of mention. Accessed by a doorway designed in the Manueline style, inside you can admire Baroque style statues of St. Sebastian, Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Margaret as well as a lovely Manueline baptismal font. The church is at the centre of the village and there are little cafés in the vicinity where you can sit back, relax and take in the view.

Chapel of St. Louis

This chapel dates to the beginning of the 15th Century and is built in the baroque style, which was popular at the time. The sixth Lord d 'Alte built this Chapel to worship St. Louis, protector of animals, who is prayed to when animals become sick.

Small Fountain

In the past, this small water source was a meeting place for women as they washed clothes. Today this picturesque space is a beautiful park and hosts events for both locals as well as visitors. In this park, the portrait of a famous local poet Francisco Xavier Cândido Guerreiro is captured in beautiful garden tiles, and also displays some of his poems.

Big Fountain

This beautiful natural pool is the source of the River Alte and was converted into a tourist spot in the eighties. It is the ideal place to enjoy a refreshing swim and a picnic, all while breathing in the beautiful scenery.

Fall of Vigário or Alte Cascade

This stunning cascade marks the end of a series of waterfalls, formed by the Alte River. The Municipality of Loulé acquired the land surrounding the Fall of Vigário in 2002, in order to create better access to the fall and create a scenic picnic area, which visitors can use today.

Walking Routes

Alte has plenty of excellent hiking trails. Walk along the scenic pedestrian route of Alte, which leads hikers through the villages of Soidos, Macheira and Santa Margarida. The ‘Via Algarviana’ is a trekking trail that runs through the interior of the Algarve for 240km, starting at Alcoutim and finishing at the Cape St. Vincent, with Alte situated along the way.

Food

Alte, like most Algarvean villages, is famous for its seafood. Some local specialities include monkfish rice, seafood rice, roasted chorizo, beans, pork and cod. For dessert try the almond flavoured ‘toucinho do céu’ and delicious local figs.

Where to stay in Alte

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Fonte Santa

Acordeao Museum is one noteworthy place to stop while you're exploring Fonte Santa and the surrounding area.

Fonte Santa
Hotel Algarve Casino
Hotel Algarve Casino
5 out of 5
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The price is S$213 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
S$213
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27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Portimão. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
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RR Hotel da Rocha
RR Hotel da Rocha
4 out of 5
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The price is S$114 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
S$114
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Portimão. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on 9 Apr, 2025

RR Hotel da Rocha
Tivoli Carvoeiro
Tivoli Carvoeiro
5 out of 5
Apartado 1299, Vale Do Covo, Praia do Carvoeiro, Lagoa
The price is S$328 per night from 25 Apr to 26 Apr
S$328
includes taxes & fees
25 Apr - 26 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"We throughly enjoyed our stay here. Would highly recommend."

Reviewed on 5 Apr, 2025

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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The Patio Suite Hotel
The Patio Suite Hotel
4 out of 5
Urbanização Pinhal do Concelho, Albufeira
Stay at this 4-star golf aparthotel in Albufeira. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (140 reviews)
Lovely stay
"Thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The hotel is exactly as pictured. Staff was amazing. A few tiny gripes: there is no heated pool or jacuzzi, linens are done every 3rd day and only 1 towel per person is supplied. We did not feel misled in any way, but this is not the "typical" American experience. These ..."

Reviewed on 9 Mar, 2025

The Patio Suite Hotel
Flor da Rocha
Flor da Rocha
3 out of 5
Rua das Conchas, Sitio dos Castelos, Portimão
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Portimão. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (227 reviews)
"Staff friendly and rooms very clean. Have stayed in Praia da Rocha several times before but never at Flor da Rocha. Only disadvantages, staying in late March the balcony always seemed to be in the shade. At no point, even on the sunny warmer days was it ever a sun trap. Think this is due to the other ..."

Reviewed on 5 Apr, 2025

Flor da Rocha
NH Marina Portimao Resort
NH Marina Portimao Resort
4 out of 5
Marina Portimao, Portimão
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified aparthotel in Portimão. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a marina. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (806 reviews)
"Lovely hotel with excellent breakfast provided. We stayed in the Marina Beach - a first floor room. Spacious but the following let it down… 1. Ants in the room 2. No mirror beside a plug so it was difficult to use my hair straighteners- the bathroom had a fixed hairdryer 3. Poor lighting"

Reviewed on 8 Apr, 2025

NH Marina Portimao Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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