Algarve (Portugal)

With nearly the perfect weather the Algarve is the most visited area of ​​Portugal. It is not surprising that the coast is the attraction principal, her beauty is spectacular and it has long golden beaches, strange rock formations and caves. But the Algarve is about more to spend the day lying just on the beach. As the region located further south of Portugal, was the last bastion of the Moors in the XIII century and the influences can be seen everywhere in whitewashed houses and narrow, winding streets of the towns and cities.

More contemporary charms include a touch of luxury in Quinta do Lago, a stronghold of the famous people, Vale do Lobo and Vila Vita, the fantastic marinas of Vilamoura and Lagos and the lively night of the main cities such as Albufeira.

The Algarve also has another face to the east of Faro, the coast becomes tiny islets where it is possible escape from the crowds and relax between sand dunes. And inside, between fig trees and pomegranates, it's the impressive Serra de Monchique, an area of mountains ideal for hiking, walking and habitat of the iberian lynx.

MAIN VISITS

Tavira
Igreja da Misericordia (Rua da Galeria, Mon-Fri 9:00-12:00, 14:00 to 17:00)
Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo
Castle (Mon-Fri 8:00 to 17:00, Sat-Sun 9:00 to 17:30)
Other monuments in the old town:

• Porta de Dom Manuel 
• Palácio da Galeria 
• Igreja de Santiago 
• Convento da Nossa Senhora da Graça 
• Largo da Porta do Postigo 
• Ponte Romana

Around Tavira

Cacela Velha
Quatro Águas
Ilha de Tavira

Olhão
Market (Avenida 5 de Outubro)
Bairro dos Pescadores

Sao Bras de Alportel
Old Town
Museu Etnográfico do Trajo Algarvio

Estói
Palácio do Viscount of Estói (Tue-Sat 9:00 to 12:30, 14:00 to 17:30)
Milreu

Loulé
Castle

Faro

Cidade Velha
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo
Municipal Museum
Centro Ciência Viva
Lethes Theatre
Beaches

Castro Marim

Castelo

Albufeira

Beaches

Carvoeiro
Beaches

Lagos

Igreja de Santo António and Municipal Museum
Igreja de Santa Maria
City Walls
Fortaleza da Ponta da Bandeira
Beaches
Ponta da Piedade

From Lagos to Sagres

Luz
Salema

Sagres

Fortaleza de Sagres
Cabo de São Vicente
Beaches

North of Sagres

Carrapateira
Aljezur
Odeceixe

Monchique

Old Town

Around Monchique

Fóia
Caldas de Monchique

Alcoutim

Castle and Archaeological Museum
Parque Mineiro Cova dos Mouros

BEST BEACHES

Lagos
Praia do Camilo
Meia Praia

Portimão
Prainha
Praia da Rocha

Lagoa
Praia dos Caneiros
Praia dos Beijinhos

Albufeira
Praia do Castelo
Praia de São Rafael
Praia da Falésia

Loulé
Praia da Quinta do Lago

Faro
Ilha da Barreta (Deserta)
Praia da Culatra

Olhão
Praia da Armona
Praia da Fuseta

Tavira
Praia do Barril
Ilha de Tavira


DRIVING

Along the Guadiana Valley:

with the great river of the south as your guide journey from Castro Marim to Afonso Vicente. Through marshlands, valleys and dams in a landscape in which the River Guadiana appears at each curve. Delight in river beaches, delicious sea lamprey, and the simplicity of cane basketry. Discover the rural architecture as you enter each village, and experience age-old remains from the Neolithic period to the Phoenician, Roman or Arab eras.

From the Barrocal to the Serra:
journeys between thyme bushes, cistus gums, carob trees and cork oaks, enjoying the hospitality of the people, around carob or bran bread, “medronho” (firewater) and “chouriço” (sausage). You can admire the local arts and crafts in leather, copper, clay or linen. Set off and discover castles and walls, Roman bridges, churches, dams and brooks, springs that once powered mills and watermills. And lookout points perched on great rocks.

Through the Northeast Interior:

this trip leads to the discovery of nature in its truest and purest form, which is expressed in the landscape, in the customs and in its people. Discover water and wind mills, enter into a world of large and small dams and many magnificent brooks. The rural world can be remembered in several museums. And if you enjoy evidence from a rich archaeological, metallurgic and natural heritage, then this is the right route for you.

Through the Serra of Monchique:

springs and brooks gush out from every corner of the “Sintra of the Algarve”, in a game of light and shadow. Relax in the thermal baths or next to age-old trees, and pass along calm and revitalising pathways. Take delight in the tastes of the Serra: sausages, honey and “medronho” firewater. Head round peaks and mountains that take you down into welcoming valleys filled with fertile and flourishing beauty. Up above, the mountain peak of Fóia is a natural lookout point over the Algarve and the Alentejo.

Trips from the Costa Vicentina to Monchique:

travel along the route of the Infante (Prince Henry the Navigator) between cliffs, sand and plenty of sea. In the heart of the Nature Park of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentina Coast you can visit menhirs, forts and lookout points. Head down to wild beaches, bays, traditional fishing harbours. The taste of the sea and the flavour of the land. Goose barnacles, beans and sweet potato. Among the pine-groves and bushes, climb up slopes of little white houses, and enter small churches and local museums.

RECOMMENDED ACCOMMODATION AT AFFORDABLE PRICES:

Albufeira

• Estalagem do Cerro   88,00 € 
• Aparthotel Poente da Aldeia   91,25 € 
• Aptos Janelas do Mar   51,25 €
• Aptos do Parque   73,75 € 
• Quinta da Balaia   77,50 €
• Aptos Alfagar   79,50 € 
• Albufeira Jardim   66,25 € 
• Vila Petra   78,75 € 
• Hotel Apt Alpinus   94,25 €
• Baia Grande 4*   49 €
• Hotel Maritim 4*   35 €
• Vila Galé Atlântico 4*   28,90€
• Hotel Aldeia 3*   35€
• Auramar Beach Resort 3*   20 €
• Hotel Balaia Mar 3*   23 €
• Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa 4*   47 €

Almancil

• Quinta dos Rochas   67,50 €
• Formosa Park Hotel Apart 4*   53€

Alvor

• Prainha   74,00 € 

Cabanas

• Pedras da Rainha   72 €
• Golden Clube   75 €

Carvoeiro

• Quinta do Paraiso   80,00 €
• Hotel Apart Solferias   60,80 € 

Faro

• Hotel Eva 4*   58-101 €
• Hotel Faro 4*   56,50-98 €

Ferragudo

• Apartamentos Praia Grande   34,25 € 

Lagoa

• Quinta dos Oliveiras   90,72 € 

Lagos

• Quinta das Barradas   86,50 € 
• Marina do Rio   94,38 € 
• Vila Palmeira   71,25 €
• Porto Dona Marina Resort   98,00 € 
• Aparthotel Aqualuz   54,63 €
• Vilabranca   60,00 € 
• Hotel Marsol   50,75 € 
• Quinta da Falfeira   47,50 € 

Moncarapacho

• Colina Verde Aparthotel & Golf 4*   53 €

Monchique

• Abrigo da Montanha   75,00 € 
• Hotel Termal Monchique   85,00 € 

Monte Gordo

• Hotel Baia de Monte Gordo 3*   75 €
• Cantinho da Ria Formosa   75 €
• Hotel Iberotel Praia Monte Gordo 4*   50 €
• Hotel Casablanca 4*   33 €

Portimao

• Hotel Avenida Praia   72,50 €
• Aptos da Bemposta   70,25 € 
• Club Vilarosa   70,00 € 

Praia da Rocha

• Club Praia da Rocha   54,00 € 

Quarteira

• Hotel Zodiaco   56,25 € 

Silves

• Quinta da Figueirinha   53-60 €   qdf@qdf.pt
• Monte do Cristina   reservas@montedocristina.pt
• Casa do Catavento   42,30-61,75 €   casa.do.catavento@sapo.pt 

Tavira

• Eurotel Tavira 3*  30 €
• Hotel Porta Nova 4*   32,50€
• Vila Gale Tavira 4*   37,00€
• Vila Gale Albacora 4*   38,40€

Vilamoura

• Prado do Golf   60 € 
• Parque Mourabel   78 € 
• Vila Atlantis Vilamoura 5*   50 €
• Dom Pedro Portobelo 4*   30 €

Download the best Algarve travel map