Already a well known destination for family beach holidays and for golfers, the Algarve has much, much more to offer.
Whether you’re a first time visitor or you’ve been here before, just let us show you a fantastic region, with a lot to offer.
Once here you can call on our local knowledge and experience to help you enjoy all those aspects of the Algarve which have made it such a popular and well loved resort.
The best places to Visit in the Algarve Region are:
Monchique
The old village which gives the name to the highest mountain in the Algarve region. A place where you can have views of cork tree fields, visit a medronho distillery (typical drink from the region), live museums, and much more.
Alvor
The origins of the picturesque Alvor fishing village date back to the times of the Moors when it was an important port. Although there is no built heritage from those times, the town’s historic centre is well worth a visit if only for the opportunity to admire the striking beauty of the Manueline style Matrix Church entranceway. Nature lovers should be sure to ensure their stay includes a visit to the Alvor Estuary with its series of lagoons considered of international ecological importance given their role as a stopover point for migratory birds on their north-south journeys.
Sagres
The most southwestern point of Europe, Where nature and sea meet history. This Region is marked by its mystical atmosphere and its unspoilt, dramatic landscape, where the sea and the hills come together creating a unique heritage. This is where you unspoilt natural beauty at his best with rugged beaches, peaceful bays, unique, untouchable landscapes, complemented by a profoundly rich Historical Heritage of international significance, with the Lighthouse, fortress and the beautiful small harbor of Baleeira.
Lagos
In its churches, museums and bustling squares, Lagos reveals its ties with the sea. The first slave market of Europe, the beautiful church of Saint António, is the Marina, a meeting point with all the people and bars for a lively late afternoon drink, the D.Henrique square, now the place to be for the best in local handicrafts, are just some of the highlights from the 14th Century town.
Burgau
Located 10 minutes drive west of Lagos in the Algarve Portugal, a unique village, peaceful, unspoilt (almost) and friendly. Its unique charm is the villages ability to appeal to everyone, regardless of age or interests. What you will take away if you visit Burgau (along with a suitcase full of local spirits and pottery) is a memory to treasure and more than likely one you will keep returning to mentally or physically.
Silves
Visit the medieval town of Silves, located inland, close to the mountains, between endless orange fields. A place where you can admire the beautiful 13 th century church, the Moorish castle, the fantastic historic centre, with his narrow streets. Silves played a role in the first phase of the discoveries, the daring voyages of exploration inspired and orchestrated by Prince Henry the Navigator (1394-1460), who established the Algarve as a centre of maritime know-how.
Faro
The capital of the Algarve, with its lively and bustling centre packed with stores, terraces and restaurants and with the best in seafood, will surprise you every step of the way. Besides the shopping area of Street Sto. António, is worth visiting the Castle walls, the narrow streets with archways and alleys lead onto the Afonso III square where the statue of the king recalls the city’s conquest in 1249.
Vilamoura
This the name given to an area rather than to any actual town. It is outstanding in that it is one of the largest single tourist complex in Europe and covers some 2.000 hectares of land. A paradise for golf, with his 6 golf courses, a safe harbor with his huge marina. Vilamoura is a special place, a unique leisure and recreation resort community where the pace of life is so easy it feels like summer all year round.
Alte
Some consider this village, which has existed since the period of the Roman occupation, to be the village most typical of the Algarve. With their whitewashed houses, windows and façades with colorful borders, and decorated chimneys, the streets of the historical centre retain its original charm and tranquility. The area around the church is a delightful snapshot of the real Algarve.
Querença
This small village has kept a good deal of its original design, presenting a very typical square, along with a church that has an interesting interior décor. In one of its far ends lays a traditional restored waterwheel. In its surroundings, you will find one of the jewels of the Algarve landscape, Fonte Benémola, preserving one of the best examples of the primitive vegetation of Barrocal, situated in the border between Algarve coastline and the mountain.
Portimão
Arriving by the bridge over the river, we can see how Nature was generous to this city. First of all, the river estuary made it possible to develop a riverside front that was used for decades as merely a quay for fishing boats. Its privileged location in the surroundings of exceptional beaches makes all the difference, and this is, in fact, Portimão’s greatest added value. The best of these beaches is Praia da Rocha beach, a spectacular sand area, not only because of its extension, but also of its width. The sand seems to have grown between the rocks, emerging here and there as islands in an ocean. Born place of the last President of the 1st Portuguese Republic, writer Manuel Teixeira Gomes, Portimão has all the entertainment and infrastructures that modern tourism is supposed to provide, being a superb place for shopping and eating.
Ferragudo
It is one of the few remaining unspoilt working Algarve fishing villages. Situated at the mouth of the River Arade it has beautiful views across the river to Portimão and Praia de Rocha. There are pretty cobbled streets with old fishermen’s cottages, a church high up with great views along the river to the suspension bridge, and several good fish restaurants on the quay. There is also Praia Grande, dominated by the castle which was once a look out fortress but is now an impressive residence in private ownership.
Albufeira
It is as if there were two different Albufeiras. On the one hand, the small fishermen’s village that enchanted the British artist Cliff Richards, as well as other famous visitors. On the other hand, the city that was built for tourism, developing around an old coastal village of white houses, Moorish arches, hotels located by the sea and, above all, an impressive profusion of tourism villas, discos, restaurants and so on. Some of the most famous and sought-after beaches of the Algarve are located in this council, such as Olhos de Água, Oura, Balaia or the magnificent Barranco das Belharucas beach.
Carvoeiro
A former fishermen’s village by the sea, now converted in a picturesque seaside resort with pleasant resorts and summer houses in the middle of fig trees and almond trees. Even though it has a narrow sand area, it hides in its cliffs breathtakingly beautiful spots, such as the famous Algar Seco cave and the gouts of distant Benagil beach.
Loulé
A city situated in a hill a dozen of kilometers away from the sea, is the headquarters of a council with pretty diversified characteristics. In terms of heritage, it is worth visiting São Lourenço Church in Almancil, as well as the historical centre of council’s headquarters with many vestiges of the medieval wall and other interesting curiosities, as for instance an old market. This city also organizes one of the most popular carnival celebrations in the country, bringing back tourists in low season.
Tavira
The city was conquered by the Christians, to the Moors in 1242, but the Islamic populations have remained here, in the first quarter to be built outside the city walls. Tavira’s golden era lasted from the 15th to the following century, stimulated by intense trade relations with North Africa and Flemish commercial centers. The river mouth lies here and this river flows through the city. It has a Medieval bridge, which is now a pedestrian area. But there are more bridges both upstream and downstream. Some call it the city of bridges. To others this is the city of churches. Tavira is proud to have had over 60 churches. Nowadays it has less than half that number.