Alte Travel Guide

Tourist 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
Avenida Tomas Cabreira, Praia da Rocha, Portimão, Faro
The price is ₹8,127 per night from 10 Mar to 11 Mar
₹8,127
₹8,796 total
includes taxes & fees
10 Mar - 11 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Portimão. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
Very good hotel
"Lovely friendly efficient staff. Public areas very nice and clean. Good choice at breakfast. The room was a bit tired and needed a refurbishment. Balcony door was very heavy and difficult to open. Overall a very good stay."

Reviewed on 14 Feb 2025

Hotel Algarve Casino
Vila Vita Parc
Vila Vita Parc
5 out of 5
Rua Anneliese Pohl, Alporchinhos, Porches, Lagoa, Algarve
The price is ₹26,091 per night from 23 Feb to 24 Feb
₹26,091
₹27,838 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Feb - 24 Feb
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (593 reviews)
"An amazing property - the only way I can describe it that it was all encompassing experience! The staff, service, surroundings and food come together to provide a truly 5 star stay!"

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2025

Vila Vita Parc
AP Eva Senses
AP Eva Senses
4 out of 5
Avenida da Republica, 1, Faro
The price is ₹9,596 per night from 4 Mar to 5 Mar
₹9,596
₹10,806 total
includes taxes & fees
4 Mar - 5 Mar
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Faro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Nice property. The breakfast was wonderful with live music and beautiful views. Only complaint is that the room was very dusty and there is no way to control the temperature so it was quite stuffy. I had to sleep with the door open for fresh air, which let in a lot of city noise."

Reviewed on 20 Feb 2025

AP Eva Senses
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.
NH Marina Portimao Resort
NH Marina Portimao Resort
4 out of 5
Marina Portimao, Portimão
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Portimão. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a marina. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (802 reviews)
"Nice place, very beatiful atractions"

Reviewed on 14 Feb 2025

NH Marina Portimao Resort
Cerro Mar Atlantico & Cerro Mar Garden
Cerro Mar Atlantico & Cerro Mar Garden
4 out of 5
Cerro do Malpique, Albufeira
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Albufeira. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 4 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (409 reviews)
"Great location, very spacious rooms, great amenities within property"

Reviewed on 4 Feb 2025

Cerro Mar Atlantico & Cerro Mar Garden
Quinta das Figueirinhas & Quintinha Village
Quinta das Figueirinhas & Quintinha Village
3 out of 5
Alporchinhos, Porches, Lagoa
Stay at this 3-star golf aparthotel in Lagoa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 4 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Benagil Beach and Trilhos do Algarve are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (278 reviews)
"Very nice property. Clean and well kept. Housekeepers and maintenance people were friendly. Will come back if we come to the Algarve again."

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2024

Quinta das Figueirinhas & Quintinha Village
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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