Alvor – Portugal
Alvor is a great little anchorage 2 miles to the East of Lagos. The entrance is protected by 2 large walls, which lead to a pool just inside. This pool is a great little anchorage protected from most directions apart from the South. The depth varies to a maximum 4 m but silting often reduces this. As you enter the pool, immediately to the east is a spit of shallow sand with firm holding with deeper water further East. This is great as you get a good holding and a great angle for the chain. Waves and swell cause little problems unless the wind blows steadily from the South. Shallower yachts can proceed in to the harbour at Alvor, but note it is busy, a working port and the channel shallow and poorly marked.
We only anchored in the entrance but know Alvor from several visits.
In season, it is worth getting to the anchorage early as it does fill up , particularly with a blow forecast. Other good secondary bolt holes are Lagos just of the beach and Portimao / Ferrogudo.
You do need to be cautious the anchorage and channel. It is prone to shifting sands and shallows and can lead to larger problems, particularly on a failing tide.
Alvor
Alvor is a quaint little coastal town largely given over to tourism and the dunes towards the main beach are accessed from a boardwalk.
Alvor Town
Being focused on tourists, there are lots of bars and restaurants for every taste. The South part of town caters to those interested in fresh fish. And as you move Northi into town, you open up to more bars and steak and pizza restaurants. There are also the essential Traditional Portuguese restaurants which offer tasty and cost effective meals.
With a strong ex Pat community, there are lots of ‘Irish bars’ and ‘Brit pubs’ to choose from, many of which offer live music most nights of the week. Karaoke and Pub quizzes are also common.
Of particular note is ‘Charlie’s Place’, a long thin bar built between 2 other houses with Live acoustic music on Sundays and A pub quiz on Thursday. There are limited seats however so get there early!
