Algarve, Portugal
*All work including photos and writing on this page is my own, except the link to the tourism video, freely available on Youtube.
At the southern most part of Portugal, sits the Algarve. With a rugged Atlantic coastline, reminiscent of Cornwall, with coves, fishing villages and sandy beaches, watched over by spectacular rock formations and cliffs. The name originates from the Arabic Al Gharb, meaning West, as in the western province of the Moors held territory in Europe.
This area is the main tourist destination of Portugal, with hot summers and mild winters, it has drawn tourists from northern Europe and elsewhere for many years. It caters for everyone, making it a great holiday for families of all ages and couples. There are lots of beautiful beaches, night life, pretty villages and castles to explore, water parks, shopping malls etc to cater for all tastes. It is also a famous destination for Golf, with many world class golf resorts.
It is one of the poorest, but also safest European countries, making it a very popular family destination.
Food and drink
Being a coastal region, fish and seafood obviously feature in Algarve's Cuisine. Clams, sardines and oysters are the most popular. Other popular food items are piri piri chicken, sausages, figs and tarts. This can all be washed down with a uniquely Portuguese white Sangria drink.
|
Weather
The Algarve is warm most of the year with temperatures ranging from 18-40c. Rain is possible in the spring and autumn, but it is really quite a dry climate here, making it a very popular beach resort and retirement location for people from northern Europe, especially the British.
The Economy
The Algarve is a large producer of ceramics, pottery and tiles, but tourism is the major source of income. Portugal does produce some excellent wines too, not just Port, but these don't seem to get the international recognition they deserve.
Fruit, nuts, oranges, figs, plums, carob, almonds and fish are all a good source of income. Golf also provides income to the region. |
The Algarve has many towns and cities with good accommodation for tourists, from the large tourist resorts of Albufeira to smaller beach resorts near to Portimao. Generally the coastal areas are the most touristy, you need to go inland a bit to get away from the tourist areas if you want to or further west to the Vicentina coast.
The must see places in my opinion are the following:
Tavira
The must see places in my opinion are the following:
Tavira
Tavira is a pretty, romantic town to the East of the region, near Faro. Climb up the few steps of what is left of the castle, for this view of the town. Take a stroll around the quaint cobbled streets and bridges. We all enjoyed our day here. soak up the sunshine and Sangria and the bustling atmosphere here on a sunny day.
Silves
Silves
Silves, the ancient capital of the Algarve is certainly worth a visit for a few hours or more. The red stone castle perches majestically on a hill, overlooking the town and countryside surrounding it. We enjoyed a walk around the castle and admired the views from it.
Lagos
Lagos
Lagos has the best of both worlds. It has a large beach, several small coves, with caves to explore and the famous spectacular cliffs. It also has a pretty old town and all the services and shopping you could need in the modern part of town. It is very touristy, but it is actually a beautiful place to visit. It is steeped in Naval history and where the first ships set sail to colonise Brazil.
My favourite little beach was Praia da Marinha
My favourite little beach was Praia da Marinha
All along this part of the coastline are beautiful beaches and rock formations, with caves you can explore by boat. The beach is sandy, but the water does have rocks and stones, so beach shoes are sensible here. This is the Atlantic Ocean as well, so the water isn't very warm, but was very refreshing when we were there in 30c in early September.
Other places to visit in the Algarve
Other places to visit in the Algarve
The Ria Farmosa wild life sanctuary and marshlands.
Various water parks.
If you are staying near Faro you can take a day trip to Seville in Spain and even to Cadiz. (See my page on Andalucia for these cities,)
Various water parks.
If you are staying near Faro you can take a day trip to Seville in Spain and even to Cadiz. (See my page on Andalucia for these cities,)
For more information on the Algarve, this is the official tourism website.
If you have to be out of your apartment or hotel early and want to spend a few hours somewhere near Faro airport, then this shopping mall for you. It is a mall, but with a designer outlet shopping centre next door and a huge Ikea the other side and just a 15 minute drive to the airport! Mar shopping Mall.They even have lockers to store small items of hand baggage.