Castelo De Loule
Castelo De Loule
4
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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33 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
305 reviews
Excellent
62
Very good
154
Average
68
Poor
17
Terrible
4
ladytrave
Amsterdam, The Netherlands71 contributions
Jan 2022 • Solo
Most museums in Algarve are closed on Monday in winter, but some silly people decided to CLOSE this museum on SATURDAY. And Saturday is marketday in Loulé which attracks a lot of people. But obviously they don't care about visitors who are interested in the castle and history of Loulé and because of this decision I doubt if the responsable people in Loulé care at all.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bruce W
Mijas, Spain1,754 contributions
Oct 2012 • Couples
When the Moors arrived in Loulé in 715, it was already an important town. A mere 534 years later, Loulé was reconquered by the Christians in 1249, in the reign of Dom Afonso III. In 1291, the king Dom Dinis set up a fair in Loulé, making it the region’s main trading centre.
This hillside town, actually it was made a city in 1988, is well worth a visit. It is situated about 6km north of the A22, more or less due north of Quarteira and Faro. There are at least four roads that lead to Loulé from the south. If travelling along the A22 then come off at junction 12 to get to Loulé using the new N396 Variante. Travelling the N125 we used the N396 to reach Loulé. This is the original N396 road which links with the Variante shortly before Loulé and conveniently, brings you into the south western outskirts. If using this route in go straight on at the roundabout with a Continente hypermarket on the left hand corner, then turn right at the next roundabout into Rua Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco. After about 200m take the left turn. A short way along this road is a free parking area on your left. It is on firm open ground, not hard surfaced, but close to the castle and old town centre. In fact, most of the points of interest are within this area.
Loulé Castle and many other historic edifices can be found by going back on foot to where you turned into the car parking street and turning left uphill. Cross over two turnings to the left and you will see parts of the old town walls and just after the Arab Watchtower on your left is an archway through the medieval walls, the Porta de Faro, with a useful signboard indicating other points of interest. From this point Loulé Castle is about 350m due north on Rua D. Paio Peres Correia and the municipal indoor market is less than 200m northeast. This big indoor market, located in a noticeable red and white painted building, is situated on the Praça da Republica. It caters for fresh fruit & vegetables, fish, meat, cheeses, wines and some pottery and is open every day except Sundays. The vendors that are there every day are on the inside of the Market and the local fruit and veg. growers who go there just on Saturdays are around the outside.
There is also a weekly open-air market in Loulé, every Saturday morning, which is situated on the northwestern edge of town, at the lower end of the Rua de Nossa Senhora da Piedade. To visit this, turn left out of the parking area mentioned earlier and head northwest for about 1000m, either on foot (which we did), or by car. Remember that, on a Saturday, parking around the market may be a little difficult to find. Most of the market stalls offer handbags, watches, clothing, sunglasses, footwear and some artisanal work.
The pedestrianised streets and others in the proximity of the markets, on a Saturday, are almost log-jammed. One feels in need of a large container of olive oil and a crowbar to be able to progress from one street to the next. Weekdays are definitely less crowded and these streets offer plenty to interest one.
Loulé Castle houses the archeological museum and another permanent exhibition, that of the Traditional Kitchen in the Alcayde’s House and just a little further down the same street is the Convento do Espirito Santo, that contains the Municipal art gallery. Both are well worth a visit and the museums are well laid out. Opening times are: Mon. – Fri. 9:00am to 5:30pm, Sats. & national holidays are from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
All in all, plenty here to occupy one for a day or more. After two visits we found it to be one of the most appealing places we have visited in Portugal and we intend returning shortly.
This hillside town, actually it was made a city in 1988, is well worth a visit. It is situated about 6km north of the A22, more or less due north of Quarteira and Faro. There are at least four roads that lead to Loulé from the south. If travelling along the A22 then come off at junction 12 to get to Loulé using the new N396 Variante. Travelling the N125 we used the N396 to reach Loulé. This is the original N396 road which links with the Variante shortly before Loulé and conveniently, brings you into the south western outskirts. If using this route in go straight on at the roundabout with a Continente hypermarket on the left hand corner, then turn right at the next roundabout into Rua Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco. After about 200m take the left turn. A short way along this road is a free parking area on your left. It is on firm open ground, not hard surfaced, but close to the castle and old town centre. In fact, most of the points of interest are within this area.
Loulé Castle and many other historic edifices can be found by going back on foot to where you turned into the car parking street and turning left uphill. Cross over two turnings to the left and you will see parts of the old town walls and just after the Arab Watchtower on your left is an archway through the medieval walls, the Porta de Faro, with a useful signboard indicating other points of interest. From this point Loulé Castle is about 350m due north on Rua D. Paio Peres Correia and the municipal indoor market is less than 200m northeast. This big indoor market, located in a noticeable red and white painted building, is situated on the Praça da Republica. It caters for fresh fruit & vegetables, fish, meat, cheeses, wines and some pottery and is open every day except Sundays. The vendors that are there every day are on the inside of the Market and the local fruit and veg. growers who go there just on Saturdays are around the outside.
There is also a weekly open-air market in Loulé, every Saturday morning, which is situated on the northwestern edge of town, at the lower end of the Rua de Nossa Senhora da Piedade. To visit this, turn left out of the parking area mentioned earlier and head northwest for about 1000m, either on foot (which we did), or by car. Remember that, on a Saturday, parking around the market may be a little difficult to find. Most of the market stalls offer handbags, watches, clothing, sunglasses, footwear and some artisanal work.
The pedestrianised streets and others in the proximity of the markets, on a Saturday, are almost log-jammed. One feels in need of a large container of olive oil and a crowbar to be able to progress from one street to the next. Weekdays are definitely less crowded and these streets offer plenty to interest one.
Loulé Castle houses the archeological museum and another permanent exhibition, that of the Traditional Kitchen in the Alcayde’s House and just a little further down the same street is the Convento do Espirito Santo, that contains the Municipal art gallery. Both are well worth a visit and the museums are well laid out. Opening times are: Mon. – Fri. 9:00am to 5:30pm, Sats. & national holidays are from 10:00am to 2:00pm.
All in all, plenty here to occupy one for a day or more. After two visits we found it to be one of the most appealing places we have visited in Portugal and we intend returning shortly.
Written June 12, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
technologycentre
Lewes, UK175 contributions
This place is tiny. It's also the cheapest euro you will ever spend and the best value for money. The staff are more than helpful and the place is well kept. Please support this place as it's good value for money and I love to see places like this do well. I was not dissappointed with my visit.
Written March 20, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adrian5853
Geneva, Switzerland9 contributions
Jun 2018 • Couples
The castle is probably one of the highlights of Loulé. However it does not have much on offer. It makes for a nice picture from the street, and the view on top of its walls is not bad either. The entrance was quite hard to find and once inside, well, there is a small museum which doesn't have anything really interesting, two rooms, one a reproduction of a kitchen and the other one an office, and finally, the walls from which you only have the view.
Written June 20, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael J
Glassboro, NJ318 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
It looked bigger from the online photo but it was only $1.65 so I cannot complain. I wouldn’t travel to this city specifically to se this castle but if you are in Loulé you should go to see it.
Written October 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buck2205
402 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
The entrance to this is actually behind the castle. It's really cheap and only cost a couple of Euros for two of us.
There is a archeological museum in the basement which is small but interesting.
The best part though is going up to the wall and the tower.
The views , especially from the tower, are great. You can see the whole town and even see down to the see.
If you are in Loule it's well worth a visit if only for the views.
There is a archeological museum in the basement which is small but interesting.
The best part though is going up to the wall and the tower.
The views , especially from the tower, are great. You can see the whole town and even see down to the see.
If you are in Loule it's well worth a visit if only for the views.
Written October 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Compass620271
Lexington, KY25 contributions
Sep 2019
This is an authentic Portuguese walled town. The castle is not large, so I would suggest this as a stop off either before or after a trip to Faro. This is not an all day walking spot.
Written October 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dizzydi_12
Seaford, UK328 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
Wanted to visit traditional Algarvian village. Went on a Saturday to combine both markets. Just round the corner from fruit market you can find the castle. Entry is through the museum. 1.62 Euros allows you to see the exhibition and go up to the top of the castle. Great views from top.
Written October 2, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary Jo G
Glasgow, UK53 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
A visit to Loule is a must and is only 2 short bus journeys from Vilamoura. The Moorish Castelo is impressive as is the Archaeological Museum within the grounds. Nearby are 2 churches well worth visiting : Nossa Senhora da Conceicao is beautiful and the Igreja Matriz is also impressive. It is also lovely just to wander at leisure through the alleyways and narrow streets full of artisan workshops and a visit to the distinctive Moorish market hall is well worthwhile. This to me is the real Portugal.
Written September 10, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fezz69
Peterborough40 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
We went expecting more , something maybe similar to the Castke at Silves, it's not. It's basically 3 towers and a small museum. It's only a couple of euro to get in and the views of Loule are nice, but I wouldn't travel there especially to see it, Silves is much better for a day out.
Written July 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona P
Manchester, UK55 contributions
Is it open in November
SueUponThames
Upon Thames18 contributions
I think it is open all year round, I have been to Loule many times and visited the castle at all different times of the year,
Milller3
south tyneside england97 contributions
Hi what is the best way to travel to Loule from Vilamoura ? Should we take a bus or get a taxi?
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Frequently Asked Questions about Castelo De Loule
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Castelo De Loule Information
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