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The Algarve is the best place to enjoy sun sea and sand in Portugal. The climate is great and there are over 100 miles of the finest soft golden sand beaches. The region runs from the Atlantic Ocean near Sagres in the West to Vila Real de Santo António in the East - on the Spanish border. Along the waterfront you will find championship facilities for water sports, golf, tennis, fine restaurants and horseback riding. The center of the Algarve is from Faro. Sandstone cliffs that open to modest bays and harbors line it. This area because, of it's popularity, also attracts the most people. From Lagos west to Sagres you have high granite cliffs, grottoes, small coves and especially scenic areas. It was here in Sagres that Prince Henry the Navigator resided and trained the Portuguese Navigators who participated in Portugal's Age of Discovery. Albufeira: Albufeira is about 40 km west of the Faro airport, which will cost you half an hour via the highway IP1. Although Albufeira is known as a major tourist resort, it is amazing that you still find hardly any tourists in the old center. When coming from the Tunnel (every tourist will end up there) turn right and you will arrive at the central place of Albufeira with all its restaurants. From there you may continue through the narrow touristic streets, back to the beach. Shortly before you arrive at the old fish market and "The Ruin" you find a street at your right hand. This will lead you to the old part of Albufeira, from where you have a magnificent view in both directions. The side streets are untouched by tourists and you still may see the local people chatting with each other from their windows. Carvoeiro: Flanked by huge rock formations Carvoeiro, once a small fishing village, is a sure-fire tourist destination in the Algarve. Although the towns central beach is rather small and certainly unable to cope with peak season crowds, further along the coastline beaches are larger and quieter. The amazing overhanging cliffs, known as the Algar Seco (about a 20min walk from central Carvoeiro) are worth every step as you feast your eyes on the breathtaking views, a perfect photo-shoot spot. Carvoeiro town centre itself is a bustling array of restaurants, bars, cafés and boutiques all with the view that tourists are welcome from all nationalities and the outdoor café-life seems to suit both locals and visitors. From May onwards it never seems to have a dull day, the weather often just plain glorious, although in July and August it can get overwhelmingly hot, make sure you pack plenty of Factor 10 or above and enjoy your stay! Faro: Capital of the Algarve. The international airport where most of the tourists arrive is also located in Faro, so for many people this is the starting point for their visit to the Algarve and or Portugal. With a medieval wall and a large number of monuments the town is worth a visit. Don't run to the beach immediately. The main sights include: the Cathedral (Roman-Gothic origin), Nossa Senhora da Assuncão Convent (Renaissance), São Francisco Church (16-18th centuries). Porches: Porches is a beautiful small village with a long tradition, also well known for its little and typical potteries. History goes back to the year 1224, the regency of king Dom Dinis. Don't miss a visit to the beautiful little old church, walk through the paved old narrow lanes and admire the exceptional and beautiful, most different little chimneys on top of the houses, particular landmarks and typical for Porches and the region around. Praia verde: Praia Verde is one of the most beautiful beaches in Algarve. It's located in East Algarve, one Km from Monte Gordo and 10 Km from Vila Real de Santo Antonio and the Spanish border. Praia Verde in located inside an environmenal protected area, in a forest of pines. The sea water is very calm and warm in Summer (around 22ºC). Praia da Luz: Praia da Luz is a beach destination in the Algarve, at just under one hours easy drive from Faro airport. The development of the town is mostly low rise apartments and villas of all sizes, and the facilities are aimed at family holidays. There is a great variety of family friendly restaurants and bars, good supermarkets and all the amenities for a complete holiday. There is a beautiful sandy beach perfect for sun bathing and water sports, and Luz beach sports the European blue flag indicating clean sand and clean water. To the east of town you find some spectacular cliffs and among them the prominent black rock Rocha Negra. This is an intrusion of lava produced from the volcanoes of Monchique some 190 million to 135 million years ago. Luz has a history of occupation firstly by the Carthaginians and then by the Romans and there are the remains of fish salting vats and a roman villa to visit. For golfers there are 4 golf courses within 5 - 20 minutes drive, and there are daytrip coaches from Luz to the water parks and dolphin park. Luz is just 8 minutes west of the larger historic town of Lagos which provides great sightseeing, plenty of shopping, good night life, and a large established marina. Sagres: Sagres is where once navigators thought that land ended and the ocean dropped off into nothingness, the end of the known world. Here was also Prince Henry the Navigator looked out over the sea and wondered if there was a route to the Indies. The town is clean and has lovely white washed houses with the red tile roofs and a lack of tourist. The beaches here can be a bit windy. Silves: Whilst visiting the Algarve it is an absolute must to spend at least one day in the ancient capital of the Algarve - Silves. This historic town contains one of the best castle fortifications in the region, dominating the surrounding skyline and countryside around it. On approach to the town it cannot be missed, particularly stunning at night, when lit up. A powerful citadel favoured by the Romans, further enhanced by the subsequent conquering Moors, to become the cultural centre of the region. Vsited by poets, artists and scholars alike the area became known as the birthplace of Arabic poetry. Reconquered by the Christian Crusaders the castle is steeped in myth and legend. Silves also boasts the most important Sé (cathedral) in the Algarve , once being the home of the tomb of King João II until his mortal remains were transferred to Batalha Abbey in the 1400's. Towering Gothic arches stand upon impressive pillars of varying size, to dominate its interior, whilst the Gothic and Baroque façade stare out across the white washed buildings of the town below. Many architectural digs can still be seen going on today, as the area is scrutinised for ancient relics, some dating back to Paleolitic man. Stolling round this lovely town with its streets of calçada (cobblestones) is a joy, but beware of low flying storks going about their daily business of feathering their nests. Tavira: With its inviting long beaches, typical roofs and chimneys, this picturesque town offers a beautiful view over the Gilão river and its Roman bridge. There are quite a few sights. There are for example many churches to visit: Santa Maria do Castelo (13th-18th centuries), Misericórdia (Renaissance), Nossa Senhora das Ondas (17th century), São José (with Gothic and Manueline elements), São Paulo and Carmo (17th-18th centuries). Although the castle is considerably less exciting than those in the Alto Alentejo, the walled garden beside it is a place of considerable beauty. If you are browsing along the Travessa de Dona Brites, you will see beautiful medieval houses, with Gothic windows and portals. In the suburbs, in the small village of Luz there is a Renaissance church, which has been a pilgrimage place for many centuries. If you go from the Praça de la República along the river towards the sea, you will come to some salt pans with major stretches of water. if you are lucky, you may see black-legged stilts or flamingos here. Vila nova de Cacela: Vila nova de cacela is a small city in the south of portugal, about 3000 people live there and everyone knows one another. It used to be part of cacela velha but they split away from eachother. Vila noa de cacela is about 5 minutes from the beaches, an ideal resort for tourists. Vila Real de Santo António: Vila Real de Santo António (normally shortened to just Vila Real) is the main border town between Spain and the South-East of Portugal. The closeness of Ayamonte in Spain (just a few minutes ferry journey across the Guadiana River - there is also a new bridge) can be seen in the way that shops show their prices in both currencies. (Some really keen ones even show prices in other currencies as well). Apart from travelling across the river to Spain the only item of interest to the tourist is the main square. This, cardinally arranged, tiled square tries to emulate that of Seville but while it is worth a look it does not have Seville's ambience or style. |
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