The Algarve Portugal

Photo by: liber

Algarve Holidays

The Algarve is the name of Portugal’s southern region. It is by far the most developed region in terms of tourism, which represents the motor of its economy. This is true especially in the summer months, when its half a million inhabitants are outnumbered by the tourists who flock to the Algarve from all corners of Europe and the world. Its combination of sandy and rocky beaches, grottos, wonderful sunny weather, historical sites and a wide range of activities on offer make it especially appealing to tourists. Moreover, although it can rival any popular holiday destination in Europe in terms of beaches and fun, the Algarve is considerably more affordable than some other resort regions in Europe, particularly in the Mediterranean. All this has guaranteed it a loyal base of holidaymakers, a great number of whom have even decided to either settle in the region or purchase a holiday home, most notably British expats. This has made the Algarve a region in which English is widely spoken and there are even local English newspapers.

Historical sites abound in the Algarve, including Roman ruins, particularly in the region of Lagos. Due to the long presence of the Moors in the Algarve’s history, there are numerous instances of Moorish influences. The Lisbon earthquake of 1755 also brought destruction to the Algarve, but even more devastation was caused by the ensuing tsunami, which affected all areas except the city of Faro, the capital of the Algarve. Today, the Algarve is a multicultural and safe region with excellent infrastructure and leisure facilities, such as golf courses, camping sites and upscale resorts. In addition to Faro, notable towns and resorts include Lagos, Albufeira and Tavira.

Faro

Being the capital city, Faro is also the cultural and commercial center of the Algarve. It is a university town and possesses an airport, marina and a fast train connection to Lisbon and Porto. If you are flying in to the Algarve, you will inevitably pass through Faro. Do not miss visiting this interesting city even if it is not on your itinerary. Its old city walls have survived the ages, together with sixteenth century houses. Some interesting sites to see in Faro include the thirteenth century cathedral in the center of the city, which is presumed to have once been a Moorish mosque, the squares and the museums, such as the Archaeological and Lapidary Museum and the Ethnological Museum.

Lagos

Situated in the western part of the Algarve, Lagos is undoubtedly the most popular resort town in the region due to several reasons. First of all, it is reputed as having the best beaches in the Algarve. Besides large beaches, it also boasts numerous small beaches that are situated between rocks, some of which are only accessible at low tide. These beaches are very intimate and private; if you go far enough, you will feel as though you were the only person on holiday there. Lagos is also famous for the nearby grottos. A visit by boat to the grottos can be made for a mere ten euros per person and is highly recommended. In the event that you are traveling with a bigger group of people, you can bargain down the price even more. Other attractions include swimming and diving with dolphins, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing. If you are not a professional in any of these, there are great surfing schools that will teach you how to master the board in no time.

Albufeira

Between Lagos and Faro lies the small coastal town of Albufeira. Its name comes from the Arabic word for “lagoon” and it is one of the most visited tourist resorts in the Algarve. It boasts a marina, countless restaurants and bars and golf courses. Known for its thriving nightlife in the summer months, Albufeira also has several well known beaches, such as Fisherman’s Beach and Praia da Oura. Since tourism is the town’s main source of income, recent years have seen the building of many new tourism developments, including many modern apartment blocks, which inspired the locals to assign it the name of “Legoland”.

Tavira

Last but not least on this list is the town of Tavira. Slightly smaller than Albufeira, Tavira lies between Faro and the Spanish border. It was an important settlement throughout history, situated on the banks of the Gilão River. Its most significant attraction is the Tavira Island, which boasts 11 kilometers of sandy beaches, arguably the best in Portugal. Tavira Island is also one of the few places in Portugal where practicing naturism is legal. The island can be accessed by ferryboat from the town as well as by a floating bridge. It is particularly popular with bird watchers and swimming enthusiasts.

These are just a few tourist resort towns in the Algarve. The entire coastline is replete with beautiful sandy beaches and welcoming small towns and villages. If you have a chance, it is highly advisable to rent a car and go for a drive along the coast up to the westernmost town of Sagres, the best place in Portugal for surfing and body boarding.