Destinations
Popular destinations in Algarve
Albufeira is one of the leading tourist resorts of the region. Facilities include a marina, golf courses plus innumerable hotels, apartment blocks, restaurants and bars, for the annual flood of visitors. Nightclubs, cafes and snack bars are abundant.
The Beach of Bryn at Albufeira. Photo by Ed Kitaura
Castro Marim is a very old town, dates before Roman empire, that is surrounded by hand harvested sea salt ’salinas’ and a Natural Park protected by 1982’s Ramsar convention. It’s Castle belonged to the Templary organization until the 1356. Now there are incredible medieval style parties and local festivals in September.
It is a popular summer destination due to its beaches by the Atlantic Ocean.
A popular destination for sun-seekers from northern Europe and the UK, Faro has a reputation as being an overrun party beach town for much of the year. Visitors who use it as a base to explore the more remote areas of the Algarve in the off-season will experience much more of what southern Portugal has to offer; but those looking for no more than a tan and cocktails won’t be disappointed. In winter, it is a beautiful, peaceful corner of Southern Europe with plenty of sun bleaching the white-washed town with colonial and Moorish-influenced architecture. The people are more friendly than other parts of Europe. Many speak a bit of English, but are very appreciative of any attempts at Portuguese.
Lagos, a historic (Portuguese Discoveries) and touristic city (beaches). The beaches are great for exploration. Beaches outside of town are long desolate stretches of sand with tall cliffs that are excellent for privacy. Many sea caves can be explored during low tide.
Portimao (actually written Portimão) is the second biggest city in the Algarve, Portugal, and famous for its fresh fish restaurants, grilled sardines being the most famous dish. One of the most well known beaches in the Algarve – Rocha (”Praia da Rocha”), meaning “Rocky Beach” – is very close to Portimao, and there are numerous others nearby.
Lagoa is a municipality rich in beaches. They have been improved dramatically over the last few decades, in terms of infrastructure and access, as well as in terms of water quality and the environment. Its Praia da Marinha is one of the most beautiful and emblematic beaches of Portugal. In 1998 it was awarded the distinguished “Golden Beach” award by the Portuguese Ministry of the Environment because of its outstanding natural qualities. Furthermore, pictures of the beach have often been used in promotional material and “Guides to Portugal” distributed around the world.
Praia da Marinha, Lagoa. Photo by Had01
Monchique is one of the main Portuguese health-resorts, finely situated among the wooded heights of the Serra de Monchique, which rise on the west to 2963 ft. There are hot sulfur springs, with baths and a sanatorium 4 m. south in ‘Caldas de Monchique’ (Spring of Monchique). Wheat, millet, rye, beans, oranges, wine, olive oil and chestnuts are the chief products. There is a woolen factory and medronho, a local brew made from distilled medronho berries (Arbutus/Strawberry Tree), is produced. Originally created in back room stills, medronho is now a commercial product chiefly in Silves and Monchique.
The region of Silves has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic, as attested by archaeological vestiges, including several menhirs. The river Arade, which was navigable in historical times, linked the hinterland to the open ocean and allowed for the transport of produce and commerce. The town of Silves was possibly founded during the times of Roman domination, when the region was part of the Lusitania province.
The River Gilão meets the Atlantic Ocean in Tavira. Tavira’s origins date back to the late Bronze Age (1.000-800 BC). In the 8th century BC it became one of the first Phoenician settlements in the Iberian West.
Vilamoura is the biggest touristic complex in Europe. It has a Marina, a Golf Academy, 6 Golf Courses, a casino, several Clubs, a tennis club, a diving club, other leasure facilities, a big beach and several 4 and 5 stars hotels.
