Exploring the Algarve, Portugal’s tourist gem

The Algarve is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal. It has everything you need; breath-taking cliffs, clean sandy beaches, clear water, essential amenities, and a thriving nightlife. It has 160km of coastline and, on average, 300 sunny days a year.

There are plenty of places to visit on the Algarve to cater for every taste.

The wonderful town of Tavira is often mentioned as one of the prettiest places in the Algarve. It is a distinctive fishing town steeped in culture and history and has preserved much of its traditional characteristics. Wander around the Renaissance buildings and historic churches in this characterful town.

The Ria Formosa Natural Park has saltwater lagoons protected by incredible beaches and dunes stretching some 60km and is a natural sanctuary for birds and wildlife. It was recently honoured as one of the top Natural Wonders of Portugal.

Faro is superb in that it has kept much of its Portuguese qualities and not capitulated to mass tourism. The facilities cater just as much for the locals as tourists, you will encounter many authentic traditional dishes at sensible prices. Faro is ideal for those who like to explore. At one end Faro Island is a long sand spit, reached by a single road across a narrow bridge, which retains a laid back feel and is ideal to doze a few hours away.

Guia is another splendid town that preserves an old world charm and much to do, with plenty of bars and shops. It also has a weekly thriving open air market. If you visit Guia then you have to try the Spicy Chicken piri-piri, for which it is famous.

Other places to visit on the Algarve include Albufeira, which in years past was just a sleepy fishing village, but is now the place to go if you want plenty of nightlife. The older quarter still retains a lot of character.

The lovely village of Estoi, with its pink rococo Palace, is also well worth a visit. And for those seeking a great beach try Praia da Rocha near Portimão, one of Algarve’s oldest and best liked beaches.

Even in winter the Algarve is a great place to go on holiday, particularly if you’re a golf enthusiast as the region is renowned for its great golf sites. If golfing doesn’t appeal, you can also attempt kayaking or hiking, as well as exploring the countryside. The beautiful beaches will be empty out of season, but the maximum temperatures are still around 16-18C with up to eight hours of sunshine a day.