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The Algarve
Golden beaches fanned by cooling Atlantic breezes
Stretching for nearly 100 miles along the southern coast of Portugal, the Algarve offers a series of endless, perfect sandy beaches and coves. Whether you prefer company, or total isolation, its always easy to find the stretch of beach to suit yourself! The beaches themselves are separated and backed by dramatic golden cliffs, which intersperse the longer beaches with tiny coves. Inland, the mountain scenery is just as dramatic, with forested hills, cork plantations and dramatic views. And however high the thermometer rises, there is always a breeze from the Atlantic to cool you down.
What to do
With such a huge choice of activities and attractions, the Algarve asks what not to do? Sports enthusiasts can indulge their passion, with golf available on over 40 top courses, many bookable in advance and tennis played almost everywhere, with many courts and clubs available close to our accommodation. Other sports widely available include horse riding, scuba diving and most other watersports and children will enjoy the many waterparks along the coast. Even the less energetic can indulge in the sport of shopping, at local colourful markets and the modern retail parks, all of which offer excellent prices compared to the UK.
Towns and Villages
While the Algarve is now largely taken up with bustling resorts, some interesting and traditional towns and villages can still be found, tucked away in the foothills behind the coast, or interspersed with the resorts along the coastline itself. At the original fishing port of Portimao, daily catches of sardines are still landed and grilled virtually on the spot. The modern regional capital of Faro offers an interesting old walled quarter and many of the inland towns offer interesting and colourful markets. The old Moorish capital of the Algarve is Silves, with its impressive citadel and interesting museums and definitely worth a visit!
How to get there
There is a now a wide choice of low-cost, charter and scheduled flights operating daily into Faro Airport. With an improved road network, all accommodation is within 1 hour of Faro. Car hire can be arranged at Faro.
The Algarve
What to eat
Fish, fish and more fish! A plate of freshly caught sardines, grilled on the barbecue, is almost symbolic of Algarve cuisine, while a day trip to the mountains should include a traditional chicken piri-piri lunch (hot or not so hot!) The Algarve boasts a wide selection of home-grown produce from olives to figs, oranges and almonds and, more recently, the area has produced innumerable international restaurants, all of very high standard.
Average temperatures
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Average days of sunshine
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