Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
Nov 24th 2014, 4:26 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
Hi, we have a timeshare elsewhere which, since we moved to Portugal, we have used to swap for holidays in Portugal. We've been to most places in the Algarve that are available to us except Monte Gordo and wondered if there's enough there to keep us entertained in the evenings, especially in late March, as that's the only slot available.
I'd be very interested to hear your comments - thanks.
I'd be very interested to hear your comments - thanks.
Nov 24th 2014, 6:37 pm
#2
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 660
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
Difficult since we don't know what you like doing but loads of info on-line ...
Monte Gordo - Algarve - Portugal
cultugarve
VisitAlgarve - Portal de Turismo do Algarve do a monthly list of what's on in each area
Then there is the nearby observatory, casino, train from there to Tariva, Olhao or Faro and of course journey the other way for ten minutes and you are into Spain where you have Jerez, Ronda and Seville or Sanlucar (Donana National Park) for a day trip each.
Should be enough to keep you busy for quite a few months
Monte Gordo - Algarve - Portugal
cultugarve
VisitAlgarve - Portal de Turismo do Algarve do a monthly list of what's on in each area
Then there is the nearby observatory, casino, train from there to Tariva, Olhao or Faro and of course journey the other way for ten minutes and you are into Spain where you have Jerez, Ronda and Seville or Sanlucar (Donana National Park) for a day trip each.
Should be enough to keep you busy for quite a few months
Last edited by MrBife; Nov 24th 2014 at 6:45 pm.
Nov 25th 2014, 3:48 pm
#3
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
Thanks MrBife, the first site was useful, the second not so much. Also, I didn't know about the observatory which would be good to visit if we can.
I know we can be kept busy during the daytime, as long as it's not raining all the time. It's the evenings we were concerned about as when we are in the Algarve we do like to enjoy nights out in pubs with live music as we don't get that at home. We tend to go to Villamoura these days but would quite like to try the "far east".
I know we can be kept busy during the daytime, as long as it's not raining all the time. It's the evenings we were concerned about as when we are in the Algarve we do like to enjoy nights out in pubs with live music as we don't get that at home. We tend to go to Villamoura these days but would quite like to try the "far east".
Nov 25th 2014, 4:01 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Land of no recession
Posts: 10,718
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
It may be worthwhile visiting the Ayamonte page on the Spanish part of this forum as a lot of the information covers both sides of the frontier
The Ayamonte Club - British Expats
Especially the restaurants thread which has been long running and extensive
http://britishexpats.com/forum/ayamo...urants-617758/
The Ayamonte Club - British Expats
Especially the restaurants thread which has been long running and extensive
http://britishexpats.com/forum/ayamo...urants-617758/
Nov 26th 2014, 4:10 pm
#5
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
Thanks for the links Fred but 67 pages on the restaurant thread - life's too short! However I caught a page that said there is a good Indian in Monte Gordo so that's good to know.
Nov 26th 2014, 4:56 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Feb 2007
Location: Land of no recession
Posts: 10,718
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
I can personally recommend the Indian
As requested 
Predictable arent I?
I think Puerta Ancha has the best 'posh' tapas IMHO. Top quality food.
For Tapas we also like Quitapenas (sp) as the food is good and add the excellent local atmosphere its a real buzz. For that its our personal favourite.
Another place I think called Pulido's (sp) is good too.... always totally packed out so we get there early just to get a seat. Otherwise you have to wait outside, and I dont like waiting in line. A bit of a 'spit and sawdust' place, but the food is fresh and good. And if so many locals mob the place you know its going to be good. Basically imagine walking through the market from the town side at the square. At the end on the corner to your right is the resto.
We tried 2 places in Altura this week. One is a posh resto 'O' Chamine'. Go to Altura and its on the left just after the hotel, before the roundabout. Its pricing is about the same as O Infante, but its a more intimate setting. It was full of wealthy locals when we went... and it has an open kitchen and the head chef on the 'pass'... just like Masterchef! The head waiter told me it was a Michelin starred resto - but I dont think so. Theres medals and certificates all over the walls though. We saw black Angus steak on the menu and ordered that - it was OK but not as good as the best we have had in Tavira O Cyclista (see my previous post just above Restaurants - Page 38 - British Expats). We should have gone for the fish which was clearly the most popular. It is worth a second shot and a nice place for an occasion.
The other is at the start of the boardwalk in Altura O Charco (sp) I think. Cant miss it, and again its packed the locals all rate it. Big portions - good service and atmosphere. Good pricing too. Crab seems to be in demand a lot these days...
There are 2 restos at the end of the boardwalk the one on the left is closed for now. I heard that they do a killer Cataplana - and a fantastic location. The one on the right looks good, but not as popular as O Charco... it has the advantage of being at the beach and parents eat there and can watch their kids playing on the sand. The one on the left has a better view...
Isnt it great that in mid winter you can eat outside... we even had a lie down on the beach after lunch! Warm in the sun and out of the wind We will eat there soon - so far we have gone there for a coffee outside after eating
Re Steak just another reminder of the resto in the 'middle of nowhere' in Rio Seco - I posted previously... 4or5 houses and a resto that has been recommended by RTP TV! Lots of OTHER good looking dishes as well and popular with the locals. Restaurants - Page 37 - British Expats. Only +/- 15 mins away.
Interesting that we tend to eat out more in Portugal than Spain.... One of our greatest pleasures in life is what I call a 'triple - L'... Long Lazy Lunch!
Good eating!! and HAPPY NEW YEAR I wish you lots of wonderful triple L's
Jon
Predictable arent I? I think Puerta Ancha has the best 'posh' tapas IMHO. Top quality food.
For Tapas we also like Quitapenas (sp) as the food is good and add the excellent local atmosphere its a real buzz. For that its our personal favourite.
Another place I think called Pulido's (sp) is good too.... always totally packed out so we get there early just to get a seat. Otherwise you have to wait outside, and I dont like waiting in line. A bit of a 'spit and sawdust' place, but the food is fresh and good. And if so many locals mob the place you know its going to be good. Basically imagine walking through the market from the town side at the square. At the end on the corner to your right is the resto.
We tried 2 places in Altura this week. One is a posh resto 'O' Chamine'. Go to Altura and its on the left just after the hotel, before the roundabout. Its pricing is about the same as O Infante, but its a more intimate setting. It was full of wealthy locals when we went... and it has an open kitchen and the head chef on the 'pass'... just like Masterchef! The head waiter told me it was a Michelin starred resto - but I dont think so. Theres medals and certificates all over the walls though. We saw black Angus steak on the menu and ordered that - it was OK but not as good as the best we have had in Tavira O Cyclista (see my previous post just above Restaurants - Page 38 - British Expats). We should have gone for the fish which was clearly the most popular. It is worth a second shot and a nice place for an occasion.
The other is at the start of the boardwalk in Altura O Charco (sp) I think. Cant miss it, and again its packed the locals all rate it. Big portions - good service and atmosphere. Good pricing too. Crab seems to be in demand a lot these days...
There are 2 restos at the end of the boardwalk the one on the left is closed for now. I heard that they do a killer Cataplana - and a fantastic location. The one on the right looks good, but not as popular as O Charco... it has the advantage of being at the beach and parents eat there and can watch their kids playing on the sand. The one on the left has a better view...
Isnt it great that in mid winter you can eat outside... we even had a lie down on the beach after lunch! Warm in the sun and out of the wind
We will eat there soon - so far we have gone there for a coffee outside after eatingRe Steak just another reminder of the resto in the 'middle of nowhere' in Rio Seco - I posted previously... 4or5 houses and a resto that has been recommended by RTP TV! Lots of OTHER good looking dishes as well and popular with the locals. Restaurants - Page 37 - British Expats. Only +/- 15 mins away.
Interesting that we tend to eat out more in Portugal than Spain.... One of our greatest pleasures in life is what I call a 'triple - L'... Long Lazy Lunch!
Good eating!! and HAPPY NEW YEAR I wish you lots of wonderful triple L's
Jon
Nov 26th 2014, 5:48 pm
#7
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
Thanks Fred, if we decide to go to Monte Gordo I'll print that stuff out.
Nov 27th 2014, 9:28 am
#8
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 770
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
We tend to go to Villamoura these days but would quite like to try the "far east"
Personally, I can't stand the overpriced tacky/glitzy purpose built feel of Vilamoura, but each to their own. Monte Gordo is also tacky in its own way but also more authentic and real. Vilamoura is also very focussed towards the English market, Monte Gordo less so (if fact you probably get more Dutch and German visitors there than Brits).
I'm not trying to criticise either place. I live near MG and like it there, whereas Vilamoura just feels themed and fake to me (at least around the marina). Am just saying it, because if you like Vilamoura you may be disappointed by Monte Gordo.
Nov 27th 2014, 5:11 pm
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 143
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
Have to agree with above post. Monte Gordo is a holiday resort, but that's where its similarities with Vilamoura end. Although it has dozens of bars and restaurants, live music tends to be an occasional attraction rather than a regular event. The only venue which has regular live music is the casino.
Nov 29th 2014, 4:24 pm
#10
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
I appreciate the above comments but as we live in "authentic Portugal" we like to have a bit of the British/Irish pub atmosphere, especially with live music, as a change from what we have where we live. I agree that Vilamoura is overpriced but we don't stay around there during the day.
Dec 3rd 2014, 8:18 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Surrey, UK and Monte Gordo
Posts: 327
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
You can also try the Vasco da Gama hotel which always as entertainment on in the evenings especially during the 'off-season'
Dec 3rd 2014, 9:50 am
#12
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 160
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
Interesting, I suppose they are trying to draw people. Thanks for that info Green _shutters
Dec 4th 2014, 1:01 pm
#13
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Puente Esuri
Posts: 6,906
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
I appreciate the above comments but as we live in "authentic Portugal" we like to have a bit of the British/Irish pub atmosphere, especially with live music, as a change from what we have where we live. I agree that Vilamoura is overpriced but we don't stay around there during the day.
Dec 5th 2014, 5:31 am
#14
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Surrey, UK and Monte Gordo
Posts: 327
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
There is a British pub johns bar which is open all year shows premier league football and has live music once a week or so also bar 42 on the front does live stuff as well. If you plan ahead as you are doing I am sure you will find enough for 7 nights we love MG. The Italian ice cream shop has the best ice cream any where as said by one of the British Olympic squad when they did their winter training in VRSTO staying in MG.
Dec 5th 2014, 11:10 pm
#15
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 143
Re: Enough to do in Monte Gordo?
My earlier post may have given the impression that Monte Gordo is dull and unexciting, but that isn't true at all! I love the place, but if you're looking for fun - and live music - outside the holiday season, then it's very hit and miss! However, an evening out can be very entertaining as all the bars, and most of the restaurants stay open outside the peak season, and some have fado, karaoke, guest musicians, "participation nights", and so on - but these are occasional, and you have to know where to go! Having said that, Monte Gordo is very small so if you know where to look, it will be very close to wherever you happen to be!