Estádio Algarve
Estádio Algarve is a stadium near the city of Faro. The stadium was built to serve as one of the playing venues during the Euro 2004 tournament, and has a capacity of 30,305 seats, of which 320 places for VIPs.
Construction of the stadium was completed late 2003, and the stadium officially opened on the 23rd of November of that year. The first match played was a friendly between local clubs SC Farence and Louletano DC, on the 1st of January 2004.
The stadium was previously home to both these clubs, however, as they currently occupy spots in the lower leagues, both have opted to play most of their home matches in smaller local stadiums, using the Estádio Algarve only for important matches.
The stadium, designed by HOK Sport (now Populous), is best known for its remarkable architecture. Stand-out features are its 73-metre-high curved roofs over two of the stands, held up by a steel structure tied to four pillars.
During Euro 2004 the stadium hosted two group matches and the quarter-final between Holland and Sweden (0-0).
Getting there
Estádio Algarve is located about 8 kilometres north of the city of Faro, about halfway between Faro and Loulé.
The stadium has its own train station, Parque das Cidades, with service to Faro, Loulé and other regional destinations. About 10 trains a day run between Faro and Parque das Cidades. The journey takes about 6 minutes, the walk from the station to the stadium a further 15 minutes.
The stadium lies next to the A22 motorway which runs across the Algarve and links up with the A2 to Lisbon further west. From the A22 take exit 13 toward Faro. Merge onto the IC-4, and leave the IC-4 again at the first exit (after less than a kilometre).
Address: Estádio Algarve, Parque das Cidades, 8135-014 Almancil
Relevant Internet links:
Parquecidades-eim.pt – Official website of the Parque das Cidades and Estádio Algarve.
Visitalgarve.pt – Tourist information about the Algarve region.
Cp.pt – Check train times and fares.
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