Loulé

Loulé is one of the Algarve's largest municipalities, stretching from the coast deep into the hills. Its seat, the town of Loulé, lies inland and keeps a lively centre with parts of its old castle walls, now home to the municipal museum, and a domed, Moorish-style market hall. The bell tower of the main church of São Clemente was once a minaret.

On the coast are the resort of Vilamoura, the town of Quarteira and the affluent areas around Almancil and Quinta do Lago. Inland, villages such as Alte, Salir and Querença sit in the limestone Barrocal and the hills beyond.