Armação de Pêra is a village very appreciated in the summer, having in the bathing season a population several times superior to its population in the winter. It is a fishing and tourist area.

During the bathing season between June and September, Armação is full of daytime and nightlife. During the day you can appreciate the movement that exists on the beach, especially on the beach of fishermen, where you have boat trips to visit the caves with some fishermen who engage in this activity in the summer, while others are engaged in fishing all year round . During the night the street of the bars and the avenue become in places of great movement.

The religious feasts in this village appear on the second Sunday of August with the feast of Our Lady of the Navigators and on the third Sunday of September with the feast of Our Lady of the Afflicted.

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Armação de Pêra is a mix of slightly weather worn buildings and new, modern apartment blocks along the sea front, many being 10 to 12 storeys high. The 'old village' is at the eastern end by the fishermen's beach and is more typically Algarvean. It is here, on the beachfront that the remains of a 17th century fort still stand - built to defend the village from pirates and corsairs by a wealthy fishing boat owner. There is a chapel inside, dedicated to Saint Anthony, which is also 17th century.

The views of the coast from the fort are long, long stretch of golden sand which runs from the rocks and caves at the western end by Senhora da Rocha, to Praia de Galé (near to Albufeira) in the east.

The cobbled street on the corner of the hill opposite the whitewashed fort leads down into a network of little streets with a variety of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. It would be quite easy to miss this part of the town if you are concentrating on the sea front, which would be a shame as it's one of the prettiest parts of Armacao de Pera.

There are also numerous restaurants and cafes along the sea front of the 'old village', including a couple on the beach near the fishing boats, most of which (obviously!) Have local, freshly caught fish on the menu.

Church Square in Armacao de PeraWalking westwards along the front of the fort you will get to the quite attractive Church Square (Church Square) on the right hand side with the church in the middle and framed by trees. If it's open, it's worth a look. It's not very big or grand, but just has something appealing about it. Further along the tree lined promenade widens into an area with an internet cabin, cafe, childrens play area and gardens - it is here that is a wide sloping path to the beach suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

The 4 * Holiday Inn Algarve (formerly "Hotel Garbe") has a prime position on the sea front and several other hotels are situated on the road just behind the main avenue making them within a very short walk to the lovely beach. At the western end of the promenade there are several quite new 10 to 12 storey apartment blocks with some attractive cafes and bars in and around them.

Armação de Pêra, for a town of it's size, does not seem to have a natural center, other than the 'old village', presumably because of the rate of growth it has seen over recent years. The new developments will, no doubt, tend to have their own mini-centers of restaurants, shops etc.

Chapel of Our Lady of the Rock in Armação de PêraStill going west, you come to Our Lady of the Rocks with it's beach, and several hotels and low rise apartments spreading over the cliffs. There is a very small chapel on the cliffs (probably dating from 15th / 16th centuries) above the beach within the remains of a fort. (It has glass doors so that you can look in even when it is locked - it really is tiny!) From here you get good views of Armação de Pêra and along the coast to Albufeira and there are also a couple of places to stop for refreshments after all the sightseeing!

Armacao de Pera has everything you need for a lovely holiday - fantastic beach, shops, supermarkets, restaurants and bars. It is also ideally placed for a day out at Zoomarine sea-life park at Guia, the trip to 'Algarve Shopping' mall, also at Guia and the water parks at Alcantarilha and Lagoa.

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Being on the coast, fresh fish are high on the menu and the best way to have them is simply grilled with some salad or boiled potatoes. Prawn, clams of various shapes and sizes and lobster are available in many traditional recipes including cataplanas, rice dishes and fish stews.

Desserts can be the traditional sweet puddings and cakes made from various combinations of eggs, almonds, honey and nuts or fresh fruits from local orchards. Pomegranates, oranges, grapes and figs are all grown locally.

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The Algarve calls for us throughout the year. Its temperate Mediterranean climate with low rainfall and endless hours of sunshine make it a pleasant destination at any time of the year and a beautiful retreat to the harsh Northern European winters. This fabulous climate, together with the long coastline, a wide range of golf clubs, lively nightlife and many activities, attract visitors to the Algarve coast at all times of the year.

Winter temperatures in the Algarve are hard to find anywhere else in Europe. With average temperatures between 11ºC and 15ºC, the long sunny days (an average of 10 hours in the winter months) are perfect for a walk on the beach, to sit in the many restaurants with terrace and to taste the delicious fish dishes fresh and other culinary treats from the Algarve. The low rainfall, even during these months, is perfect for golf practice, as the heat is not as intense as during the summer months. Spring is witnessed by almond blossoms and inviting temperatures (averages situated between the 23ºC and 15ºC), ideal to stroll through the mountainous areas of the interior and to visit old villages, where life goes on with the same rhythm of centuries ago. The heat intensifies in the summer months, bringing average temperatures between 18ºC and 31ºC, and ideal conditions to spend a day at the beach. The nights are pleasant and invite you to come to the street. Autumn brings with it more days of mild temperatures, with an average between 15ºC and 20ºC.

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