The Algarve

The Algarve holidays

The Algarve is home to some of Europe’s best beaches. This is the place to head to for golden sand, year-round sunshine and perfectly manicured golf courses. Lying along the sparkling southern coastline of Portugal, you can even explore the open waters of the Atlantic here.

Villa Laguna Golf

Vilamoura, The Algarve

Bedrooms

4
Bathrooms

4
Sleeps

8

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Language

Portuguese

Currency

Euro

Time difference

GMT

Cost of a beer

from €1 a bottle

3 course meal

usually a set menu from around €11

Flight times

3-4hrs

A sun-seeker’s paradise

For more than four decades, visitors from all over the world have flocked to the Algarve in search of sun, fun and adventure. Golf courses, marinas, lush sandy beaches and coves are all dotted around the shore, while historic towns offer you chances to immerse yourself in local culture.

In the swing of things

Towards the coast, water sports are a big deal, particularly around Lagos, where kite surfing and water-skiing are popular with everyone. In Vilamoura, you’ll find some tours offering lessons in sailing and surfing, so you might have conquered the waves of the Algarve by tea time.

Grand architecture

The biggest city in the Algarve is Faro, which has a charming Old Town district. The city’s cathedral and museums are among its highlights, while it’s a good place to shop. History buffs will also like to visit all kinds of exhibits around this visually pleasing Portuguese part.

Almancil

Whitewashed houses, pastel-coloured architecture and green spaces combine in Almancil.

Estoi

Pops of colourful flowers dot around the quaint cobbled streets.

Albufeira

One of the Algarve’s most popular resorts, Albufeira has a big choice of beaches as well as great golf courses.

Beaches

You’ll be spoilt for choice with the Algarve’s beaches. The coastlines are rugged, the sand is silky soft and the water’s a shimmering shade of turquoise. You’ll find the tourist hotspots with their café-lined promenades, and the quieter spots that are great for a bit of shade in the warm climate.

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Sights

If you want to see dolphins in their natural environment, head to Mar Ilimitado at Sagres. You might also get to see porpoises and sea turtles, as well as lots of interesting birdlife. Castle ruins and forts scatter the region with majestic historical remnants, so prepare for a blast from the past.

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Activities

The Algarve has more than its share of waterparks. Zoomarine, just outside Albufeira, is the region’s answer to SeaWorld. Near here you’ve also got Aqualand, one of Portugal’s biggest waterparks. It’s got everything from kamikaze thrill rides to toddler-friendly slides. Parks and museums offer a bit of culture, on the flipside.

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Christmas and New Year in the Algarve

The Algarve

The Algarve is a haven of laid-back beaches and championship golf courses, but it’s all primed for festive celebrations come Christmas and New Year. There’s a long list of entertaining events going...

Christmas in Vila Real de Santo Antonio

The Algarve

Want to experience the Algarve at its most authentic? Well, say feliz Natal – or merry Christmas – as you celebrate the festive season Portuguese-style in this quaint old town. Most of the action talks place...

Eating and drinking

Top drawer for its delicious fresh seafood, The Algarve’s got cuisine covered. Dishes generally include caldeirada, a fish stew, and conquilhas – clams, Algarve-style. Wash them down with a glass of spirit made from locally grown fruit, and you’ve got yourself something tasty. Eateries nestled within coves offer one awesome view!

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A Sabores da Ria

Tavira, The Algarve

A Sabores da Ria, a Portuguese seafood restaurant overlooking the Ria Formosa estuary, is famous for its fish, chips and mushy peas. The menu is simple and good value and offers meat and vegetarian dishes....

Arte Nautica Beach Restaurant

Armacao De Pera, The Algarve

Arte Náutica is a stylish beach restaurant with stunning views of the sunset. Its menu of local seafood fits well with its stripy nautical décor. Fresh fish, oven-baked in salt, is one of the restaurant’s...

Shopping

The Algarve is a great place to pick up traditional linens, pottery and leather goods. You’ll find small boutiques selling these in all the major resorts, so you’ll have plenty of options for a spree. For big-name brands, head to malls like Algarve Shopping in Albufeira, or Forum Algarve in Faro.

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Aqua Portimao Shopping Centre

Praia Da Rocha , The Algarve

Aqua Portimão is a shopping centre with all your favourite home-from-home brands, including Primark and H&M. It’s set over two floors and there are 117 stores to pick from. Once you've shopped till you've...

AlgarveShopping

Albufeira, The Algarve

If you’ve some extra space in your suitcase, AlgarveShopping will soon solve that. This open-air shopping centre has over 100 stores, and many of them are tax-free, so get set to find great bargains! If...

Nightlife

Swish bars, lounges, and night-long clubs make The Algarve a great pick for an after-dark scene. Albufeira’s a known hotspot for nightlife, with a big choice of late-hours watering holes and restaurants lining the famous Strip. And Alvor’s cobbled streets offer plenty of bars within easy walking distance.

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Cliff-top esplanade

Praia Da Rocha , The Algarve

There are lots of pubs and disco bars on the clifftop esplanade overlooking Praia da Rocha’s beach. On The Rocks is open from lunchtime and shows all the major sporting events and soaps on large-screen TVs. The...

Club Kiss

Albufeira, The Algarve

Just a few minutes walk from The Strip, is Kiss Club, three floors of all-night music and dancing. Kiss host international DJs and have live music and their variety of nights include R'n'B nights, electro and...