Portugal The Algarve Area Guide

The Algarve has been on the tourist map since the ‘60s yet this beautiful and diverse region is not all heavily developed. Away from the high-rise resorts is a natural, unspoiled coastline that’s well worth writing home about – a network of wide sandy stretches and rocky coves, edged on one side by clear-as-glass water and on the other by a sweep of distinctive red-hued cliffs. Venture inland and you’ll find verdant woodland, punctuated by pretty white-walled market towns and fascinating Roman ruins. Coupled with fantastic rustic Mediterranean food and excellent local wines, the Algarve is undeniably alluring.

Let’s start with a statistic: the Algarve has over 300 days of sunshine a year. That sunshine can be felt even in February when temperatures sometimes allow for alfresco lunches. Dinners outside are less likely as nights can get cold at this time of year. Early spring is pretty with warm temperatures, fields of wild flowers, fragrant blossoms and fewer crowds. Come May, the sea starts warming up too.

The sun is at its strongest over the summer months of July and August, which coincides with peak tourist season. September and October tend to be much quieter, but still have some of the last straggling remnants of the summer’s heat. Most of the Algarve’s little rainfall occurs in winter.

The Algarve, Portugal’s southernmost region, is known for its Atlantic beaches and golf resorts. It is a region blessed with stunning beaches, picturesque fishing towns and a glorious climate, all of which combine to create the perfect holiday destination.

The Algarve is wonderfully varied, able to appeal to a wide cross-section of tourists; there are pristine beaches for families, waterparks and theme parks for thrill-seekers, buzzing nightlife for partying and historic towns for cultural visitors.