Alte
A typical Algarve village hidden in the countryside
Considered by many as the most typical algarvean village, Alte is a small village of white-washed houses nestling amidst trees and mountains, the image of old Algarve. Situated in central Algarve, the village dates from Roman times and has an Arab past that can be observed in the detail filigree chimneys that adorn the houses.
Set amid the countryside, Alte is near Albufeira and is included on the Algarve Jeep Safari route. There is a beautiful waterfall just outside the village, the Vigário waterfall which is visited on the Alsafari Jeep Tour.
In the centre of the village you will find the Church dating from the13th century, the chapel houses some very special hand painted pieces dating from the 16th century. There is also an old water mill which also dates from the 13th century.
The focal point of Alte are the two springs. Fonte Pequena and Fonte Grande (Small spring and Big Spring). In the olden days the women of the village gathered at the springs to fill their pitchers and wash the laundry. Now, the springs are the ideal place to enjoy a relaxing picnic in the calm tranquillity of this village.
There are some nice little shops in Alte where you can find crafts and local products on sale, for example, the House of Soaps, where soaps are made with local ingredients, such as fig, carob, orange and honey which gives a very original scent to the soap.
