Loulé is an attractive market town and thriving craft centre. Its Moorish origins
are still visible in the belltower of the church of São Clemente. The castle , on the north side of town, is also Moorish in origin,
rebuilt in the 13th century. Remnants of the walls behind the castle afford an
overview of the town and the many pretty filigree chimneys, typical of the
Algarve.

The heart of the town lies immediately south of Praça da República and
encompasses the busy, pink-domed market. On Saturdays the area is particularly
lively when gypsies run a simultaneous outdoor market. From Rua 9 de Abril to
the Igreja Matriz you can watch handicraft workers carving wood, weaving hats,
making lace, decorating horse tackle and painting pottery and tiles.

The 13th-century São Clemente , on Largo da Silva, was badly
damaged in three earthquakes, the last in 1969, but its triple nave, defined by
Gothic arches, has been conserved. There are two beautiful side chapels dating
from the early 16th century. The Capela de Nossa Senhora da Consolação is
decorated from floor to vault with superb blue and white azulejo  panels, while the Capela de São Brás, has a Manueline arch and
a blue and gold Baroque altarpiece.

Other churches of note are the Igreja da Misericórdia , on
Avenida Marçal Pacheco, which has a Manueline doorway, and the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição , close to Praça da República. Here,
the Baroque altarpiece (1745) by Miguel Nobre of Faro is complemented by scenes
in blue and white azulejos .