Algarve
Situation
The Algarve stretches right along the
southern coast of Portugal, from Vila Real de
Santo Antonio, in the east, to Cabo de Sao
Vicente, in the west. From one end to the
other, it is bathed by the Atlantic.
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Access
By Air The Algarve is served by the Faro
International Airport and by aerodromes at
Portimao and Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
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Average temperatures
The Algarve boasts of a Mediterranean
climate. The average temperature in the
winter is about 15°C/58°F and in the
summer it is about 24°C/75°F, and the sun
shines for more than 250 days a year.
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Tourist offer
The Algarve has over 200 km of excellent
beaches, many of which are beside lovely
tourist villages (aldeamentos turisticos).
Fishing villages full of colour, ruby-red cliffs,
pines and green vegetation all add up to
make this one of the most enchanting
regions of Portugal.
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Suggested trips
1. Monchique/ Silves/ Lagos/
Sagres/ Cabo S. Vicente
Monchique is a spa town with Roman
origins, situated in the Algarve hills,
providing an interesting contrast with the
coastal area. Admire the beauty of the local
houses and monuments on the slopes of the
hill near the spa and enjoy the magnificent
mountain and sea views from the Alto da
Foia.
2. Faro/ Tavira/ Vila Real de Santo
Antonio/ Castro Marim
This is the area of the Algarve which can be
most identified with its Arab origins. In fact,
the very word "Algarve" is derived from the
Arabic "Al Gharb", meaning "west". Here
are some of the companies specialising in
adventure tourism, and from here you can
take pleasure trips by boat on the Guadiana
river.
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Accommodation
The Algarve has nine 5-star hotels, thirty-five
4-star hotels, one luxury tourist village
(aldeamento turistico) and twenty-three 1st-
class tourist villages.
The Algarve has nine 5-star hotels, thirty-five
4-star hotels, one luxury tourist village
(aldeamento turistico) and twenty-three 1st-
class tourist villages.
The Algarve has nine 5-star hotels, thirty-five
4-star hotels, one luxury tourist village
(aldeamento turistico) and twenty-three 1st-
class tourist villages.
The Algarve has nine 5-star hotels, thirty-five
4-star hotels, one luxury tourist village
(aldeamento turistico) and twenty-three 1st-
class tourist villages.
The Algarve has nine 5-star hotels, thirty-five
4-star hotels, one luxury tourist village
(aldeamento turistico) and twenty-three 1st-
class tourist villages.
The most cosmopolitan areas in the Algarve
lie between Lagos and Faro, where you will
find some of best bathing beaches and the
largest number of hotels and tourist
complexes, all giving excellent service. Here
also are the majority of the sporting
complexes, such as the golf courses and
marinas of Vilamoura and Lagos.
Two pousadas complete the de luxe hotel
supply in the Algarve. The Pousada do
Infante plays an important part in the
heritage of Sagres, taking its name from
Prince Henry, mentor of the Portuguese
Discoveries. Nearby, stands the Fortaleza
de Beliche, constructed in the 16th century
for the defence of the coast. The Pousada
de Sao Bras(temporalily closed until
(April 1997) is situated in the most
Mediterranean area of the Algarve, in the
calm setting of the hills. Most hotel and
tourist villages in the area are suitable for
holding meetings and incentives.
The Algarve has nine 5-star hotels, thirty-five
4-star hotels, one luxury tourist village
(aldeamento turistico) and twenty-three 1st-
class tourist villages.
| Costa Verde | Montanhas
| Costa de Prata |Costa de Lisboa
| Planicies | Algarve
| Azores | Madeira |
By Road Driving from Lisbon, take the IP1,
which also crosses the region from Albufeira
to the frontier with Spain.
From Faro to Vila Real de Santo Antbnio, the
Ria Formosa spreads out - an area of
lagoons and a stopping place for migratory
birds. It is also the habitat for rare species
of fauna and flora. '
The presence of the Romans in the area can
be seen in the ruins at Milreu, near Faro, and
also at Vilamoura. Evidence of Arab
civilization, which lasted for 500 years in the
Algarve, can still be seen today in the names
of the places, the Silves and Castro Marim
Castles, and in the architecture, dominated
by whitewashed houses with their
characteristic roof terraces and chimneys.
The Algarve is noted for its water sports and
golf. Two big marinas, at Vilamoura and
Lagos, are the point of departure for sailing,
windsurfing, fishing (especially deep sea
fishing for tuna and shark), water skiing,
diving and underwater fishing. Vilamoura
has a shooting range of Olympic standards.
Numerous golf courses enjoy international
fame and are used by professional golfers.
The Portuguese Open, held in the Algarve, is
one of the most important in the golfing
calendar of the world.
There are five zones for hunting in the
Algarve, predominantly for water birds.
The whole area has a cosmopolitan
atmosphere, and its night life is quite diversified,
including discoteques and not less than three
casinos. Both national and international
festivals of music, theatre and cinema are held
in the area throughout the year.
There is an abundance of restaurants in the
Algarve where you can taste the local
specialities or try the most refined international
cuisine. Because the area has such an
extensive coastline and so many fishing ports,
fish and shellfish feature strongly in the local
gastronomy. Some of the most famous dishes
are fish stews, food cooked in
the cataplana (tightly closed
pan), and fresh tuna steaks.
Typical Algarve cakes and
sweets are made of almonds
and eggs, such as the
morgado and Dom Rodrigo,
not forgetting sweets made
from figos.
Ceramics from Porches,
wicker and leather work,
brightly coloured blankets
and copper objects are some
of the local handicrafts.
Silves, an extremely old town, was the
capital of the Algarve for many centuries. In
the imposing castle, with its sandstone
coloured battlements, there is a famous
cistern, known as the Moorish Damsel Well
(Poco da Moura).
Lagos has a very busy marina and is a town
of important, well preserved heritage. It is
mostly important historically for the part it
played during the period of the Portuguese
Discoveries, because it was here that the
ships were built and equipped prior to
embarking on long journeys to discover
foreign lands. In this area, the Algarve coast
features high, steep cliffs, such as the Ponta
da Piedade. The ochre of these cliffs meets
the blue-green of the sea in an
unforgettable sight.
At a distance of 33 km from Lagos, lies
Sagres, today a fishing port and an
evocative place of the bygone days of the
great Discoveries. It was during this time
that Prince Henry the Navigator planned the
journeys to discover new sea routes. An
imposing fortress was built on the headland
at Sagres overlooking the sea. Nearby, at
Cabo de Sao Vicente, the view over the
ocean is magnificent.
The architecture in Faro, capital of the
Algarve, has traces of the Arabian
occupation. In the old part of the city, you
can still see the medieval wall, with the Arco
de Vila and Arco do Repouso gateways.
Other important monuments are the
Cathedral of Romanesque-Gothic origin
and, with some Renaissance and Baroque
elements, the Nossa Senhora da Assuncao
Convent, of the Renaissance era, and the
Sao Francisco Church.
To the east runs the Ria Formosa, edged by
long, flat beaches. The views are beautiful
where the sea and the lagoon meet and the
sunset should not be missed from the
Cacela Velha Fort or in the village of Santa
Luzia, with its typical fishing boats and
tackle.
Tavira is famous for its Moorish origins and
never fails to enchant the visitor. There are
thirty-seven churches, and from the castle
there is a unique view embracing the houses
of Tavira, the Roman bridge and the river
Gilao which crosses the town.
Vila Real de Santo Antonio lies in the
extreme east of the Algarve, on the
Guadiana river. Built on the instructions of
the Marques de Pombal, it features straight
streets and a Mediterranean atmosphere.
There is a busy commercial street
overlooking the river. >
Throughout the centuries, Castro Marim
defended the Guadiana from its castle,
perched on a high hill. Today, it is
surrounded by a Natural Reserve preserving
an important flora and fauna.
The most cosmopolitan areas in the Algarve
lie between Lagos and Faro, where you will
find some of best bathing beaches and the
largest number of hotels and tourist
complexes, all giving excellent service. Here
also are the majority of the sporting
complexes, such as the golf courses and
marinas of Vilamoura and Lagos.
Two pousadas complete the de luxe hotel
supply in the Algarve. The Pousada do
Infante plays an important part in the
heritage of Sagres, taking its name from
Prince Henry, mentor of the Portuguese
Discoveries. Nearby, stands the Fortaleza
de Beliche, constructed in the 16th century
for the defence of the coast. The Pousada
de Sao Bras(temporalily closed until
(April 1997) is situated in the most
Mediterranean area of the Algarve, in the
calm setting of the hills. Most hotel and
tourist villages in the area are suitable for
holding meetings and incentives.