Loulé images

Loulé: Market hall

The style of this well known building is reminiscent of the Moorish architecture of former times. The market hall (Mercado Municipal) is located adjacent to the Largo de Gago Coutinho, and every Saturday the weekly fair takes place in the surrounding lanes. After extensive renovations, the market re-opened in early 2007 to display its new splendour.

Loulé: Largo de Gago Coutinho

The busy square in the centre of Loulé is a roundabout for traffic from and into all directions. The famous market hall is located nearby - you can see its prominent tower in the background.

Loulé: Town hall

The classicist building at the Praça da República next to the market hall houses Loulé’s Town Hall.

Loulé: Cineteatro

The theater is in one of the nicest houses of Loulé.

Loulé: Convento do Espírito Santo

The former monastery is now host to the private university "Instituto Superior Dom Afonso III". The complex also includes an art gallery.

Loulé Castle: Courtyard

Loulé: Statue of the poet Antonio Aleixo

The popular poet António Aleixo (1899-1949) was a regular customer of the Calcinha café, at the Praça da República. The bronze statue opposite Calcinha shows him sitting at a typical café table.

Loulé: Igreja Matriz São Clemente

The stand-alone belfry of the church, made of grey blocks of granite, was a minaret during the Moorish period.

Loulé: Igreja Matriz de São Clemente.

The church was built during the 13th century, most likely on the remains of a Moorish mosque. The portal is still in its original shape; the other parts of the church have been rebuilt several times over the course of the centuries.

Loulé: Igreja Matriz São Clemente Altar

De São Clemente Altar

Loulé: Jardim dos Amuados

You will find the Jardim dos Amuados where the cemetery used to be opposite the parish church. It is a small, beautifully landscaped park, which lies in the shade of ancient trees.

Loulé: City gate Portas do Céu

The city gates Portas do Céu were one of the entrances to the old part of the town found within the Moorish castle. The parish church of São Clemente is situated nearby.

Loulé: Banhos Islâmicos

Loulé: Convento de St°. António 1

The church of the former monastery (Convento de St. António) is situated at Loulé’s western exit on the EN270, direction Boliqueime. Unfortunately the rest of the monastery is a ruin. Around it and in the square opposite a gypsy market takes place eve

Loule: Pump wheel

This part of an old water pump can be found in front of the ruin of the Convento de St°. António opposite the entry to the weekly gipsy market. In the background you can see the silhouette of the chapel Nossa Senhora da Piedade.

Loulé: Santuário de Nossa Sra. da Piedade

The pilgrimage church is situated on a hill facing west near the road from Loulé to Boliqueime. The photo shows the modern dome, hosting the statue of the patron saint of Loulé, dwarfing the small renaissance pilgrimage chapel in the foreground.

Loulé: Gipsy market

View from the pilgrimage church Nossa Senhora da Piedade to the city of Loulé with the weekly gipsy market.

Loulé: Carnival

Loulé is famous for its colourful carnival procession, which is reminiscent of Brazil’s celebrations. The Avenida José da Costa Mealha and the Largo de Gago Coutinho are the main centres for the procession, where visitors pay a moderate fee to view the parade.

Loulé: Noite Branca

Loulé, capital of the Algarvian carnival, is also celebrating during the summer a great nocturnal street party, where visitors from near and far com dressed in white, and the city centre is decorated in white as well.

Loulé: Festival Med

End of June the old city center of Loulé is transformed into a giant Mediterranean bazaar with music, food and activities for the whole family. It is one of the most popular summer events in the Algarvesince several years, attracting visitors from near and far.