The Algarve has long been a popular part of Portugal to spend a summer or get some last minute soon. Lisbon might attract the city slickers, but it’s the Algarve that visitors turn to for pure relaxation. Here are 10 reasons to visit the Algarve.
1.Food
Now that we’re on the subject of food, let’s start with that one! Portugal is the place to visit par excellence if you enjoy a nice salty cod. The Portuguese will eat this as many as three times in a week and this eaten together with potatoes and/or eggs. For dessert, try some of those trusty pasteis de Belem. These cheeky little custard-filled tarts won’t let you down!
2. Albufeira
Albufeira was once just a humble fishing village, but fast-forward to the present day and you have one of the most popular tourist spots in Portugal. Falesia Beach, in Olhos de Agua, and Praia de Coelha are just two examples of this part of the Algarve’s wonderful beaches. They’ll charm you in seconds!
3.Faro
Faro is the capital of the Algarve and many people tend to stay overnight here, soaking up the authentic Portuguese feel of the place. One of the main attractions is the Se, which is a cathedral but looks a bit like a castle.
4. Parque Natural de Ria Formosa
The Parque Natural de Ria Formosa runs along 60 kilometres of coastline. This network of lagoons and islands is simply beautiful, providing nesting places for a number of birds, such as terns. The marshes of the park are particularly important for migrating birds.
5. Silves
Silves is a quiet little town with a whole lot of beauty. That’s largely thanks to the orange and lemon trees that are dotted around the town, infusing the air with a light fruity fragrance. The town’s main monuments are the cathedral and the Castelo de Silves. The latter is one of the best preserved castles in the Algarve and is a reminder of the town’s Moorish past.
6. Praia de Odeceixe
A crescent-shaped beach in the south of Portugal, Praia de Odeceixe is the place to come if you want to catch a few waves. The beach is quiet, even in the summer. The surf is generally good the whole year round. Radical!
7. Tavira
The town of Tavira charms with its historical attractions. You have the ruins of a hilltop castle, an old Roman bridge and a range of churches from the Gothic and Renaissance eras to see. If the heat gets too much during all this exploring, you can take some respite in some of the shaded plazas.
8. Snorkeling opportunities
The Algarve is packed with opportunities to snorkel and see marine life. One of the best is a visit to the coastal fishing village of Carvoeira. The beach is small and sheltered and provides a great location for snorkeling.
9. The villas
The Algarve is famous for the quality of its accommodation in the form of villas. Before you set out on the day’s excursions you can take a dip in the swimming pool. When you come back, the chances are you’ll want to get the barbecue going. If that sounds good, you can search for Algarve villa holidays at Villa Plus and see the kinds of options that are open to you.
10. Wine
The Algarve has produced some beautiful wines. Some of its more prominent wine-producing wine towns are Lagoa, Portimão, Tavira and Lagos. They lend their name to the Algarve’s highest denomination of wine classification — Denominação de origem controlada.
Take a holiday in the Algarve. You can’t lose!
Images by MrHicks46, rodrigomezs, _gee_ and cornerhouse, used under Creative Commons license
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