ALGARVE TOURISM GUIDE
A holiday paradise: Sun, sand, exotic architectural details, and historical sites
FIND HOTELS IN ALGARVE»
With some of Europe's most beautiful beaches, some of the continent's
top golf courses, magnificent cliff scenery, fantastic
grottoes, and warm year-round climate, it was inevitable that
Algarve, Portugal's southernmost province, would become the country's most
popular travel destination.
Almost completely destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, it has less cultural
attractions than other parts of the country, but its scenic beauty more than
makes up for it.
Most visitors to Portugal go to Algarve, and many of them don't leave their
resorts to explore more of the country. The reasons are the beaches and
views of extraordinary beauty, the year-round sunshine, and its sports
and leisure activities. However, there are also historic towns
like Faro, Sagres (known as "the end of the world" before the Age of
Discovery), and Lagos, all well worth exploring.
The beaches are among the best and cleanest in Europe,
with no fewer than thirty of the country's 100-plus European Union "Blue
Flag" beaches.
Central
Algarve or the coastline between Faro and Lagos can get quite crowded in
the summer, but even there, among the villas, hotels, and sports complexes,
it is still possible to find vestiges of traditional Portugal in the narrow
whitewashed streets and relative peace and quiet in the cove beaches.
Shut off by hills in the north, Algarve developed on its own and has a
climate (more typically Mediterranean) and scenery very different from the
rest of Portugal.
That, together with it having been the last territory to be conquered from
the Moors, gives it a unique identity. It has always been seen as a
separate land from the rest of the country, reflected in the official title
of Portugal's kings, "King of Portugal and the Algarve," from the 13th
century to the end of monarchy in 1910.
The Phoenicians and the Greeks were the first to establish colonies in the
area, followed by the Carthaginians and the Romans. They were then followed
by the Visigoths who controlled the region for the next 300 years, and the
Moors who dominated for the next five centuries. Egyptians settled mostly
around Faro, elsewhere included Persians, Syrians, and Berbers from Morocco.
Some of the most special features of Algarve are reminders of their
presence, from the latticed chimneys,
to the white domed buildings, to the almond trees, to place
names beginning with "Al" -- Algarve derives from Al Gharb, meaning
"the West".
Christian forces reconquered the land in the 13th century, and two centuries
later it played an important role in the Age of Discovery, when
Prince Henry the Navigator established a pioneering navigation school in the
town of Sagres. The goal was to extend the field of knowledge in
cartography and navigation, with ships built in Lagos, from where several
expeditions were launched.
Today these shores are not a point of departure, but a place where thousands
arrive every year drawn to the sandy beaches and their abundance of
extraordinary rock formations, intriguing Moorish heritage, and exotic
scenery.
The entire region is a delight to visit all year round, and even near
popular resorts it is still possible to escape crowds. It is easy to get
around, with towns and villages connected along the entire coast by good
main roads and a train line.
In the sections below is information on all that Algarve has to offer,
starting at the Spanish border and ending on the west coast, with some side
trips north for the most attractive inland towns.
FIND HOTELS IN ALGARVE»
WHERE TO GO in Algarve
Eastern Algarve - From the Spanish border, to lovely Tavira, to sandy islands
Central Algarve - From Faro, to the luxury resorts, through vibrant Albufeira, to inland villages
Western Algarve - From the spectacular beaches of Lagos to the End of the World
Top 10 Algarve BEACHES
These beaches stand out for their beauty, cleanliness, or seclusion1. Praia da Marinha (Benagil/Carvoeiro) - Awarded with a Golden Flag, secluded, and beautiful.
2. Dona Ana (Lagos) - Popular, picture-postcard beach.
3. Ilha de Tavira (Tavira) - Long sandy beach for sunbathers or water sports enthusiasts.
4. Praia dos Barcos (Albufeira) - Hugely popular beach characterized by colorful fishing boats.
5. Praia da Rocha (Portimão) - Huge, famous beach with golden sand.
6. São Rafael (Albufeira) - Popular shallow waters, soft sand, and extraordinary rock formations.
7. Meia Praia (Lagos) - One of Algarve's longest beaches, ideal for sunbathing and water activities.
8. Praia da Oura (Albufeira) - Popular, attractive beach with yellow sandstone rocks.
9. Praia de Vale do Lobo (Vale do Lobo) - Sand and calm waters by a luxurious resort.
10. Praia de Odeceixe (Odeceixe) - Wonderfully uncrowded sheltered beach.
Top 10 PLACES to Visit in Algarve
1. Lagos - Some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe; historical old town2. Sagres - Prince Henry the Navigator's retreat; "the end of the world"; magical sunsets
3. Albufeira - Picturesque white fishermen's village; famous beaches; party town
4. Tavira - Lovely riverside town; excellent sandbar beach
5. Vilamoura - Europe's largest leisure complex; huge marina
6. Almancil - Tile extravagance; two of Europe's best resorts
7. Faro - Attractive cobbled old town; off-shore beaches
8. Portimão - The most famous Algarve beach; shopping town
9. Silves - Old Moorish capital
10. Odeceixe - Off the beaten path Algarve >
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AROUND LISBON
AND TAGUS VALLEY Alcobaça Arrábida Azeitão Batalha Cascais Ericeira Estoril Fatima Leiria Mafra Nazaré Obidos Palmela Peniche Queluz Santarém Sesimbra Setubal Sintra Tomar |
ALENTEJO
Beja Castelo de Vide Elvas Estremoz Evora Marvão Mértola Monsaraz Vila Viçosa ALGARVE Albufeira Faro Lagos Sagres Silves Tavira Vila Real de Santo António Vilamoura |
BEIRAS (CENTRAL PORTUGAL)
Aveiro Belmonte Buçaco Coimbra Conimbriga Figueira da Foz Guarda Monsanto Piodão Serra da Estrela Viseu PORTO AND DOURO Amarante Lamego Porto |
MINHO
Barcelos Braga Gerês National Park Guimarães Ponte de Lima Ponte da Barca Viana do Castelo TRAS-OS-MONTES Bragança Chaves Vila Real THE ISLANDS Azores Madeira |