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Holidays on the Algarve - Beautiful Beaches, Cosmopolitan Resorts
The Algarve - Great Family Holiday Destination
With over 160km of superb sandy beaches, hot sun and gentle breezes, friendly people and fantastic food, the Algarve is the perfect holiday destination. Forested hills and citrus groves serve as a backcloth to the long sandy beaches and with a climate boasting 3,000 hours of annual sunshine, the Algarve is a beach lovers paradise. Located on the tip of Europe with the vast ocean of the Atlantic as its southern and western border, this enviable position gives this region possibly the most unpolluted climate on the European continent. The choice of holidays the Algarve has to offer is unbeatable, so whether you are looking for activity or tranquility, this is the place to be.
The Algarve - Steeped in History
Due to the importance of its position on the world map, the Algarve has been invaded and fought over by the Phoenicians, Romans and Moors. Closely associated with the sea throughout its history, this was the base of the famous Henry the Navigator who, from the point at Sagres, organised the successful 15th Century exploration of the New World. The Algarve has been inhabited for thousands of years but the first developed society was probably the Phoenicians in 1100 BC. The Algarve was the last territory in Portugal to be conquered from the Moors by the Portuguese King in 1292. Traces of the Moorish presence are still seen in its unique architecture - terraces, chimneys and whitewashed houses.
The Algarve - Cosmopolitan Holiday Resorts
The resorts of the Algarve provide everything you could wish for on holiday. Albufeira, one of the best known resorts on the Algarve was once a peaceful fishing village. The old town with its narrow streets and colourful fishing boats has allowed it to keep some of its old charm. Shops, bars and restaurants fill every corner, but there is also the old castle, buildings which still preserve Moorish arches and interesting churches. In constrast, Vilamoura is a modern, purpose-built resort where everything has been planned and designed with your pleasure in mind. The huge range of facilities available makes it a very popular holiday destination for families seeking stress-free fun. Lagos is the third largest town in the Algarve, enclosed within 5th century walls and is rich in history and culture with many beautiful buildings and ancient churches to delight visitors. In the old part of the town, restaurants serving local dishes fill the quaint squares and narrow streets whilst in the new area, the marina and promenade entice visitors with a host of modern restaurants and shops.
The Algarve - Traditional Portuguese Cuisine
Apart from a very high quality, international cuisine that stems from the expanding tourism industry, the Algarve also offers delicious regional dishes, many of which are seafood based. Seafood soups, pork meat and "cataplana" clams, roasted dried octopus on the grill and grilled squid and cuttlefish.
Fig & marzipan pastries shaped like little animals or fruits are famous in the region. You should also try the internationally renowed Lagoa wines and the various regional liquors.
Great holiday resorts with high quality accommodation
There are many holiday resorts to choose from on the Algarve catering for all the family. The liveliest include Albufeira & Vilamoura with their mix of restaurants & nightlife. For those wanting peace & quiet, the resort of Armacão de Pera offers tranquility and a taste of unspoilt Portugal.
All the Algarve holiday resorts offer an excellent selection of accommodation for holiday rental, from quaint apartments to luxury villas with private swimming pools.
Things to do on the Algarve
The Algarve is a great holiday destination, offering more to visitors than just the sandy beaches and coastal holiday resorts:
- Golf - Golf is as popular on the Algarve as in the Spanish resorts. Some of the golf clubs include Castro Marim, a new club at the east of the Algarve. Vale da Pinta situated near Carvoeiro in an old olive grove, is a championship course that is adaptable to any kind of game. Palmares near Lagos is an excellent Par 71 course.
- Surfing - Venture to Aljezur, on the west coast of the Algarve, where the perfectly formed waves that break off Aljezur's beaches are among the best in Europe and ideal for surfers and body boarders alike.
- Portimao - Portimão is one of the main big game centres in the Algarve, offering the chance to catch swordfish and other big fish. There are also facilities for sailing, para-sailing, water-skiing and scuba diving.
- Vilamoura Marina - An enormous marina hosting some very glamorous vessels. The waterfront is great for wandering around day or night. A number of boats, including The Condor de Vilamoura, run excursions along the coast towards Lagos and beyond.
- Salt Marsh Reserve - Located near Castro Marim, this reserve covers an area of 2,089 hectares, with wet areas of salt marsh, salt pans and creeks. For most visitors, the reserve's biggest attraction is undoubtedly the large number of birds - especially aquatic birds - that can be seen. There are 153 species to spot, including storks, avocets, sand pipers, mallards and the ever popular flamingos. The Reserve offers a real treat for botanists and ornithologist alike.
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