The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal and it's one of Europe's favourite holiday destinations well known for glorious year round sunshine and excellent sandy beaches.
Cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and quaint fishing villages decorate the Algarve's dramatic coastline. With the warm, rich waters of the Atlantic which grace the shoreline and mile upon mile of golden sandy beaches, irresistible restaurants, bustling markets and buzzing night-life, it's a melting pot of different cultures.
In springtime, almond blossom blankets the ground like snow, while the western headlands of Cabo de São Vicente and Sagres are renowned for their colourful and aromatic display of flowers from February to May. Later in the summer, the plains are covered with green pines, fig trees and orchards of orange groves, but it is the coastal resorts which lure the visitor attracted by long sunny days and balmy nights.
Renowned for its distinctive Portuguese architecture, the Algarve is also home to a unique history and culture much of which resides in its tangled, cobbled streets and walkways, that almost seem preserved, belonging maybe to another time, but brimming with traditional craftsmen and bustling with the activity of large open markets that form the centrepiece of daily life.
Beyond the coast, the Algarve terrain is a mix of plateaux and plains. Locals tend the fields and in many ways town and village life has stood still, untouched by worldly distractions. Here, tradition dies hard and local craftspeople ply their century's old trade across a broad canvas in pottery, brass, linen and jute.
The area has an array of expertly designed and world-class golf courses, which combine challenges galore and superb views. Seaside resorts are brimming with good restaurants with local food and wine being good value and a Portuguese welcome is invariably a warm one. You are also never far from great shopping at local markets or modern malls, should the mood take you.
The region is also the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 170 square kilometres and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds.
As there are so many beautiful areas in the Algarve to choose from, you'll need to check out the right resort. For example, Albufeira with seven beaches and plenty of energy, it makes a great choice for those looking for sun by day and a party at night. Families hoping for a good night's sleep may prefer the quieter, fishing village of Carvoeiro, or the tempting sands at Praia Da Rocha. If you prefer a touch of luxury, you might choose the style and polish of Vilamoura.
To summarise, the Algarve is full of fantastic towns and villages to visit, whether it be for sight-seeing, shopping or just general exploring. With a cliff-lined coast of 23 golden beaches, relaxed restaurants and lively nightlife, combining Vilamoura's casinos and luxury hotels, Praia da Rocha's pavement cafes and Albufeira's buzzing nightlife, the Algarve attracts holiday-makers in their thousands every year.
