Corkfactory Tour Algarve

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Visit a cork factory in the Algarve

Portugal is not only the land of fine wines, olives and cataplanas, it also has a vibrant cork industry! Portugal’s ‘national tree’ is the source of many products made here and if you stroll through one of the charming Algarve villages, chances are you will come across a ‘cork shop’.

If you are curious about how cork is processed from bark to product, a tour of a cork factory in the Algarve is a memorable outing during your holiday. In São Brás de Alportel, the ‘Eco-Fábrica de Cortiça Francisco Carrusca’ is open to visitors who want to learn more about this industry.

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Visit a cork factory in the Algarve

During a visit to the Eco-Cork Factory in São Brás de Alportel you will see the inside of a traditional cork factory and learn how cork is processed from bark to end product such as a bag, slippers or coaster.

The tour lasts one hour and costs €16.50 per person.

At the end of the tour you can take a look at the shop, which has a number of products made from the cork that comes from this factory.

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About the cork industry of the Algarve

The cork industry in the Algarve has a long history that dates back to ancient times. Cork is a natural material that is extracted from the bark of the cork oak, a tree that grows in abundance in the Mediterranean region.

The cork industry is of great economic importance to Portugal and the Algarve is one of the main cork producing regions in the country. Harvesting cork is a sustainable process as only the bark of the tree is removed, allowing the tree to continue growing and be harvested again over time.

The Algarve produces cork products ranging from cork stoppers for wine bottles to cork flooring, insulation, fashion accessories and even furniture. These products are both consumed locally and exported to international markets.

The cork sector has also attracted interest in recent years for its sustainable characteristics. Cork forests play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity and combating desertification, which has drawn attention to the ecological value of cork products.

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