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Alte

Alte central Algarve Portugal situated inland, comes under the district parish of Loule. Famous with the Portuguese for natural spring waters which runs 365 days a year. Whilst the village is set inland amongst the hills on the edge of the Serra do Caldeirão, Alte sits in a basin surrounded by undisturbed countryside, with colorful forner & flora in late spring making ideal hiking.

Entering Alte from the west along the main N124 road, the first thing seen is the main church yard along with a large roundabout. A large car park sits of the first exits. Alte has the main road that more or less circles the town. There is a bridge which narrows to one car width which crosses the river. This is a popular spot as the river has wild ducks and geese, popular with locals and tourist who can seat at the stone picnic tables enjoying the waterfront.  In the same area is the fresh running spring water which comes out of two clay pipes, often busy with locals who fill there bottles with drinking water. A sign reads, not tested and not for drinking, but this sadly is part of the health and safety laws that have hit Europe; the sign is to cover such laws.

This riverside bank has stone tables and benches used for picnics On the 1st  “May day Bank holiday” celebrated throughout Portugal, Alte holds a festival of marriage a food and music festival held with the music and singing held further down at the main font along with many craft stalls, just follow the brown sign showing directions to the fonts. Most summer weekends get busy with families who picnic and swim in the crystal clear running waters. The friendly atmosphere is felt, a good place to sit and just enjoy the fun being had. There are public toilet as well as Public BBQ grills a bar/restaurant is located on the over side of the wooden bridge and open seasonal.

Altes famous Portuguese poet has a monument dedicated to his work. With blue & white tiles showing sonnets written by the poet, for which Alte honor his work. Candido Pacheco born in the 1870’s is part of the Villages' history which they are proud.

      Alte has plenty to offer  whether you are planning to holiday or planning to live permanently with a population of around 2,500 in 2020. There is a good daily fresh fish/vegetable market, with Junta de Freguesia,(town hall), post office,many bars cafes and restaurants some which told weekly quiz nights making ideal to meet the locals and expats. Many shops including a supermarket “Jafers” which has a Lift  from street level down to the store ideal for anyone with difficulties with stairs, further along is Alte’s resident donkey who peers out of a stable facing the main road, further along is a well established tearoom.

The village has two churches. The main one (Nossa Senhora da Assunção) being in the center, and sits impressively looking over the village center, with its impressive doorway hand carved stone archways and gilded alter piece of the “Mother & Child”. There is a plaque that gives you its history . Alte sees safari jeeps filled with tourists looking for the real Algarve, yet to just drive through the village is a shame, as Alte has so much to offer, hidden back street Museums, typical Algarve cottages  with elaborate large decorated chimneys highlighted with color from bougainvillea’s. Alte holds a very good Carnival in February. When the rest of Portugal, and the Algarve celebrate Carnival season too.

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