Sea, sun and sand mark Portugal’s famous Algarve. While no longer the quiet, hidden destination it was decades ago, the Algarve is a place where it’s still easy to escape the crowds and enjoy many of the things that make travel rewarding. From the ancient monuments left by the Romans and Moors, the medieval castles, small fisherman’s villages or the modern cities, water parks and zoos, and the Ria Formosa Natural Park, famous for its beauty the Algarve offers a great mixture of attractions.
The weather in the Algarve is awesome! Over 3.000 hours of sunshine per year – or over 300 sunny days per year – it all adds up to lots of sunshine. The maximum temperatures in the Algarve fluctuate between 15 °C in winter and 31 °C in summer, with the temperature never usually falling below zero in the winter months.
The Algarve is rich in culture and diversity. If you are looking for fast paced resorts or a calm tranquil setting either is attainable. The entire region is approx.5400sq km and is graced with over 100 different beaches, each unique in its own way. If you are into nature the choices are many from the Ria Formosa to Monchique mountain, in fact there are over 30 hiking trails (as per offical Turismo de Portugal guide books). If you are a golf lover then you have come to the right place with over 30 courses doted throughout the region.
Although spring and autumn are considered as the best periods to visit Algarve, it is a year-round holiday destination. The busiest times of year tend to be July/August.
Algarve’s mild climate has attracted interest from Northern Europeans wishing to have a holiday home or residence in the region. Being a region of Portugal, and therefore in the European Union, any EU citizen has the right to freely buy property and reside with little formality in the Algarve. British expatriates, followed by German, Dutch and Scandinavians, are among the largest groups wishing to own a home in this sunny region of Portugal.
The Algarve is among the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal, its population more than doubles in the peak holiday season thanks to a high influx of visitors. Come and explore the region further, discover a new place to visit, a different beach to swim in or annual events you may want to attend.