Famous for its splendid, dramatic cliffs and golden sands, The Algarve is Portugal’s jewel of the Atlantic.
The Algarve has rightly earned the reputation of boasting some of Europe’s best beaches, the wide sweeping bays and coves with soft golden sand, a world away from south-eastern Mediterranean beaches where the sand is darker and coarser underfoot. The backdrop of high cliffs conjures up tales of pirates and shipwrecks in the history of this great seafaring nation.
Some of the best beaches include Praia do Vau, near the bustling tourist resort of Praia da Rocha, where during low tide you can walk out and round to neighbouring beaches. Gale beach, near Albufeira, is great for families with its series of rock pools and fascinating rock formations. Faro island is accessed by a narrow bridge and sits on the edge of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, for plane spotters, the beach is in the flight path of nearby Faro airport so bring your binoculars!
Away from the beach
Away from the beach, The Algarve has plenty to keep you occupied, the area is a haven for golfers with no fewer than 35 excellent courses.
Website ‘top 100 golf courses’ votes Monte Rei in the East of the province as the number one, while Nick Faldo’s, Oceanico course comes in fourth. Whatever your level of play and wherever you choose to stay you can be assured of an excellent course in this golfer’s paradise.
Off the fairway, visitors can enjoy jeep safaris, marine-life centres, lessons at a tennis academy or drive into the hills and get away from it all.
Boat trips are a popular choice and range from trips through the wonderful cave and grotto formations, dolphin and whale watching expeditions and romantic moonlight cruises.
Other places to enjoy in The Algarve
Enjoy a day out in the town of Silves, with its old walls and famous castle, you can step back in time to the seventh century and discover the historical importance of this town in which little has changed in 300 years.
Cape St Vincent, with its famous lighthouse is the southernmost point of Portugal and was the scene of many naval battles including the defeat of the Spanish fleet in 1797 by the then, ‘commodore’ Nelson. The lighthouse is among the most powerful in Europe and illuminates one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
The international sand-sculpture festival takes place in Pera every March. More than 35,000 tonnes of sand are used to create magnificent structures, some as tall as 12 metres. The 2016 edition had a music theme with participants creating amazing sculptures of bands and recording artists from throughout the ages.
Food in The Algarve
Foodies won’t be disappointed in The Algarve, of course fish and seafood feature on most menus but meat-eaters can enjoy delicious dishes, with fresh produce used in tasty dishes.
In most restaurants you will automatically be brought a basket of crusty bread with a dish of sardine or cheese pate and a bowl of olives. Be aware, this is often added as a charge on the bill, so if it’s not your thing just politely decline.
Piri-piri prawns is a popular starter, mop up the juice with chunks of bread, a chicken version is usually available for non-fish-eaters. Fresh catch of the day grilled over charcoal is a delicious choice for a main course and sardines cooked the same way are always on the menu.
The Algarve is famous for its ‘peasant food’ and the thick bean stews, with either meat or fish are deliciously comforting dishes.
Wash your meal down with vinho verde. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean ‘green wine’ it simply means the wine is young, often released as little as three months after harvest. Produced in northern Portugal, the wine is refreshing and low in alcohol.
Where to stay
The most difficult thing to do in The Algarve is decide where to stay, there is a vast choice of hotels, apartments and villas in towns along the coast or inland. Some of the most established resorts such as Albufeira, Praia da Rocha and Lagos have, in the most part, retained some authentic charm while offering a lively night scene and hundreds of bars and eateries. Villamoura is perfect as a golfing destination and boasts some of the most exclusive accommodation, while Portimao is perfect for a city-break. Tavira and Sagres are charming fishing towns and Faro, the region’s main city has some excellent shopping.
This fascinating region of Portugal offers a break from the norm and a chance to experience fabulous beaches, mouth-watering food and a warm Portuguese ‘bom dia’.
Make the most of your trip to the Algarve and book a tour and see the best of the Algarve by boat, bus or jeep!
