SÃO LOURENÇO is the first place of note west of Faro Airport. On a rise just short of the village stands the Church of São Lourenço de Matos, famous for the profusion of 18th-century tiles depicting biblical scenes which cover virtually the whole of the walls and ceiling.

ALMANCIL is a busy commercial centre on the way to the sophisticated developments of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo, in which luxury villas with private pools and manicured gardens are grouped around beautifully maintained golf courses.