The Algarve spans the beautiful southern coastline of Portugal. It is a region blessed with stunning beaches, picturesque fishing towns and a glorious climate, all of which combine to create the perfect holiday destination. The Algarve is wonderfully varied, able to appeal to a wide cross-section of tourists; there are pristine beaches for families, water parks for teenagers, buzzing nightlife for young couples and historic towns for cultural tours. This explains why luxury holiday villas in the Algarve are always popular.
Portuguese cuisine is recognised for its love of simple local ingredients and seasonality. Enjoy mouth-watering specialities like grilled sardines drizzled in olive oil and lemon juice. Tastea super fresh fish and seafood or flame-cooked meats accompanied by sun-ripened vegetables eaten at traditional taberna in a whitewashed village.
Tavira is a delightful town that is situated on the banks of the slow flowing Gilão River. The town of Tavira has remained unchanged despite the advent of tourism .It features a charming town centre of cobbled streets, lined with traditional houses, leading up to the ancient castle. The glorious beaches on the Ilha de Tavira are reached by ferry and the route passes through the protected series of mudflats and saltwater lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. Tavira is laid-back, traditional and our personal favourite town in the Algarve.
Albufeira is the most popular resort in the Algarve as it has so much to offer. The beach is vast, there are great holiday activities, and the pretty old town is characterized by individual restaurants, shops and bars. For party animals there is “The Strip”, a road full of themed bars and super cool clubs, which is just far enough (2 km away) from the Old Town not to annoy other travellers. As Albufeira is the largest resort, the summer season is much longer, and there are still things going on throughout the year.
Lagos is on the very western edge of the Algarve and is one of the region’s most fascinating and interesting towns. Lagos is set on a stunning coastline of massive sandstone cliffs, wide beaches, and crystal-clear waters. Within the vicinity of Lagos is the Dona Ana beach, known as the finest in the Algarve. Further along the coast are the stunning cliff formations of the Ponta da Piedade. Lagos has an important history as a major trading town with a rich history that is reflected in the varied sights throughout the town. Of note are the fort, a selection of pretty churches and even an ex-slave market. From Lagos there are enjoyable day trips to the small fishing village of Sagres, or north into the Algarve hills.
Vilamoura is the most exclusive town in the Algarve. The whole town was purpose-built as a sophisticated destination that is centred around the larger marina with its luxury yachts. The town boasts six championship-grade golf courses – so the perfect location if you are looking for a golfing holiday.
Faro is often overlooked as a tourist destination, being primarily used as a transport hub for the airport, train or bus services. But this beautiful city has a lot to offer. Faro boasts a charming historic centre, which is circled by ancient Moorish walls, and a pleasant pedestrianised shopping zone. Departing from the marina there are boat tours which explore the Ria Formosa National Park and visit some of the quietest beaches in the Algarve.
