Portugal
Algarve
Region
The Algarve is Portugal's south coast and the country's most famous holiday destination. To the west, golden limestone cliffs, grottoes, and small coves define the scenery; to the east, flat sandy islands and the lagoons of the Ria Formosa.
by Felix Gillen
The Algarve is Portugal's south coast and the country's most famous holiday destination. To the west, golden limestone cliffs, grottoes, and small coves define the scenery; to the east, flat sandy islands and the lagoons of the Ria Formosa. Between them lie fishing villages, resorts, and a quiet, hilly hinterland.
Faro, with its airport, is the gateway to the region. The rocky coast between Lagos and Albufeira is the most visited, featuring Ponta da Piedade, Praia da Marinha, and the Gruta de Benagil. Further west, near Sagres, it gets rugged and windy, ideal for surfers. To the east, Tavira and the island beaches are calmer. In the hinterland, Silves with its red castle and the Serra de Monchique are worthwhile. July and August are crowded and expensive; spring and autumn are more pleasant.
More places in Algarve
Sagres is located in the far southwest of Portugal, where the Algarve meets the rugged Atlantic coast. Steep cliffs, wind, surf beaches, and Cabo de São Vicente make this small town a destination for those who like it wild.
Silves is located in the hinterland of the Algarve on the Rio Arade and was the region's capital under the Moors. A red sandstone castle towers above the white houses; oranges grow all around.
Tavira is one of the Algarve's most beautiful towns: white houses with hipped roofs, many churches, and an old bridge over the Rio Gilão. Outside the town are the lagoons of the Ria Formosa and the sandy island Ilha de Tavira.
Spirit
The name comes from the Arabic al-Gharb, the West. For over five centuries, the region belonged to Islamic Al-Andalus, with Silves as its capital. Portugal finally conquered the Algarve in 1249. From Lagos and Sagres, many voyages of discovery set sail in the 15th century.Typical are white houses with filigree chimneys and Azulejos. In the kitchen, everything revolves around fish and seafood: grilled sardines, Cataplana, a stew from a copper pot, and mussels from the Ria Formosa. And there are also almonds, figs, and oranges, as well as Medronho, a brandy made from arbutus berries.
Traveling
A regional train connects Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António along the coast, with stops including Portimão, Albufeira (station outside town), Faro and Tavira. Regional buses also operate. For secluded beaches, Sagres and the hinterland, a rental car is significantly more convenient. The A22 motorway is a toll road; the toll is collected electronically.
