Alvor, or Portus Hannibalis, as it was known to he Romans and Albur as it was called by the Moors, lies just 20km/12mi east of Lagos on the Rio Alvor estuary. Its people lived mostly from fishing until well into the 1970s but nowadays tourism is the main industry. Nevertheless, Alvor has been able to retain its original character as a fishing
village. Small white fishermen's houses line the narrow streets of the town center. There are some restaurants, cafes and souvenir shops, but all in all it is still a village in character. Particularly attractive is the harbor with its fish market and simple shops. To the east of Alvor, however, there are largish hotel blocks at Torralta and on the Praia dos Três.