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The Algarve is Portugal’s southernmost region, known for its superb Atlantic beaches and many golf courses. The central coast between Faro and Lagos is lined with villas, hotels, bars and restaurants, but the western Atlantic coast and the rugged interior are much less developed.

With clear turquoise waters, and soft sandy beaches with picturesque rocky coves, laid-back holidays to the Algarve in Portugal offer summer sunshine, warm hospitality and mouth-watering Portuguese cuisine. Eating out is a joy, with fish and seafood often dominating the menu. Chicken piri-piri is another local speciality. Away from the busy resorts, you will find the country restaurants offer better value.

With world-class golf courses and over 3,000 hours of sunshine each year, the Algarve is one of Europe’s prime golfing destinations with over 40 different courses. A few of the best are Oceanico in Vilamoura, Palmares near Lagos, Quinta da Ria and the pair of innovatively designed courses at Quinta do Lago.

Many other activities are on offer including water sports, deep sea fishing, tennis and horse riding. Dolphin watching boat rides are especially popular, with a good chance of spotting common and bottle nose dolphins.

Car hire is recommended if you want to explore a little further afield. The motorway extends most of the way along the south coast, but the quieter country roads are a more relaxing way to explore.

Most holidays to the Algarve begin by flying in to Faro, which is the capital of the Algarve and worth a day to explore. Its Neoclassical Arco da Vila archway is located on the site of an old gate that was part of the original Moorish wall. It has a belfry (crowned with a ubiquitous stork’s nest), clock, balustrade and in an alcove above the portal is a statue of Thomas Aquinas hewn from marble. As you walk through the portal you’ll still be able to see traces of the original Moorish stonework. This monumental archway leads to the Old Town, with its delightful cobbled streets. Faro Cathedral was built in the 13th century and the Municipal Museum is located in a 16th century convent, with displays of prehistoric and medieval artifacts, as well as religious art.

Near Vilamoura, the 7 km golden beach at Praia da Falésia is traced by cliffs streaked with shades of ochre and is one of the longest in Portugal. There is a cliff-top path through pine groves that offers panoramic views, especially at sunset when the light is phenomenal.

The Nossa Senhora da Rocha fortress, which caps a promontory near Porches, is a fortified enclosure that dates back to before the arrival of the Moors in the 8th century. There isn’t much evidence of the fortress as it was pulled down in the 19th century, but you will find an old hermitage with a terracotta tile roof. The whitewashed walls and cliff-top position create an almost ethereal scene. You can enjoy majestic ocean vistas and look down at neighbouring Praia Nova and Praia da Senhora da Rocha beaches.

The Algarve’s gnarled red rock formations can also be admired at Algar Seco in Carvoeiro. There is a boardwalk at the top of the cliff, from where you can see them being eroded by the ocean to form little hollows, caves and small rocky outcrops. More intrepid visitors can negotiate the steps etched into the rocks, to get better views of the caves below.

Praia da Rocha near Portimão is another awesome beach, combining craggy coastal scenery with strange rock formations, with pristine sands and rolling surf. If you don’t mind the climb, you can follow the coast around to discover secret beaches framed by these hulking sculptured rocks. Nearby is the 17th century Santa Catarina fort, designed by the Neapolitan military mastermind Alexandre Massai.

Between the 16th and 18th centuries, Lagos was the capital of the Algarve and has an Old Town, encircled by large chunks of its original walls that are sitting on top of much older Moorish defences. The historic centre is a joy to roam through with its narrow cobbled streets, 15th century slave market and the Baroque Church of Saint Anthony, which is festooned with blue ‘azulejos’ (traditional tin-glazed ceramic tiles). The museum has hundreds of artefacts, including coins dating to the 4th century. Steep wooden steps lead to the sandy cove of Praia do Camilo. You can also visit the ornate 18th century Church of Saint Anthony, which sits across from the Governor’s Castle with its Baroque facade and watchtowers. The nearby headland of Ponta da Piedade with its lighthouse offers sweeping views of reddish limestone stacks, and cliffs that are honeycombed with natural arches and caves.

Sagres has the remains of a fortress built by Henry the Navigator, dating back to the 15th century when this coast was the target of raids by Barbary pirates from North Africa. It is located on a narrow headland that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby Cape St Vincent is the most south-westerly point in Europe, with 75m cliffs that offer cinematic views of the rocky seascapes, both to the north and east. Many naval battles have been fought off this cape, which has a museum and lighthouse built on the foundations of a derelict convent.

Moving inland from Faro, in Loulé you can visit the Baroque 18th century Church of Saint Lawrence, which has an unassuming whitewashed exterior but an astonishing interior, with walls and ceiling completely clad with fabulous blue ‘azulejos’ dating back to the 1730s, depicting scenes from the life of the saint.

Even further inland from Portimão, picturesque Monchique is sheltered by mountains that act as a buffer between the Algarve and Alentejo region further north. This includes the Pico da Foia, which at just over 900m is the tallest mountain in southern Portugal. Outside the summer months, Monchique is a great place for walking in the cool hills, covered with strawberry trees. One hillside above the town has the remnants of a 17th century convent, while the centre of town has cobblestone streets and whitewashed houses, with colourful window and doorframes.

Historic Seville in Spain is only 2 hours from Faro by road, so is easily combined with a holiday to the Algarve.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis. Local airport transfers & flights from London Gatwick are included, with other regional departures on request. Car hire can also be arranged.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance, and an appropriate driving licence if you intend to hire a car. The FCO should also be consulted.