This famous holiday destination boasts warm, sunny weather, impeccable sandy blue flag beaches and plenty of family friendly fun and activities. Situated along the southern coastline of Portugal, the area couldn’t be more perfect for walking, cycling, sightseeing and playing golf as well as water-based activities such as snorkelling, diving, sailing, kayaking and surfing. Inland, the Algarve is rural and relatively undeveloped. Visitors can explore roman ruins, spa towns, Moorish towns and megalithic monuments. The area is served by Faro International Airport, which is conveniently less than three hour’s flight from the UK.
Western Algarve is famous for its golden beaches, limestone rocks, rugged cliffs and hidden-away coves this area is part of the Parque Natural da Costa Vicentina. Largely untouched by tourism, the western Algarve retains its authentic Portuguese appeal with small villages and hamlets which are peaceful and entirely charming. The town of Lagos has an interesting Roman heritage with a variety of ancient Roman ruins to explore as well as museums, shops, restaurants, cinema and bars. Old fishing villages such as Burgau and Salema have been transformed into resort towns with heavenly beaches and a variety of activities and facilities.
The city of Faro is located on the edge of the Ria Formosa National Park, which is bursting at the seams with birds and wildlife. It has an international airport, a large shopping centre along with historic buildings, national monuments and museums. The beaches are quiet and idyllic and the restaurants offer exceptional Portuguese fare at unbelievable value for money. Incredibly popular with visitors, towns such as Albufeira attract thousands of tourists each year. Located only a short distance from Faro airport, this destination is perfect for families as there are a multitude of activities and events particularly in the summer months. The restaurants, bars and cafes are plentiful and lively, and visitors have the opportunity to explore ancient Roman ruins and the remains of a beautiful castle.
The town of Tavira is the most popular base from which to explore the eastern Algarve and is situated 30 km east of Faro. It is a small fishing village with charming Portuguese architecture of ancient Moorish influence. With its pristine beaches and narrow cobblestone streets, exploring the town’s ancient churches and monuments is an absolute pleasure. There are shops, restaurants and bars as well as numerous activities such as cycling, golfing, hiking and water-sports. Sapal do Castro Marim is a marshland nature reserve, and popular with cyclists and birdwatchers. Olhao is one of the largest fishing villages in the Algarve and a major port, with incredible architecture of Moorish influence. From here you can easily visit the sandy islands of Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, Culatra and Armona and be sure to visit one of the many fish restaurants, as the seafood in Olhao is extraordinary.
