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Golden beaches, pretty fishing towns and awesome water parks promise an exciting getaway for all ages.
The Algarve is Portugal's
southernmost province and offers some of the finest beaches and recreational
facilities in Europe.
The white-sand beaches are clean, and
the fishing, water sports and golfing are good. For those who like to
experience the true essence of their holiday destination a drive along the
coast will take you through picturesque villages with their distinctive
Algarvian chimneys.
Of course, the other main draw to the
area is the weather. Normally it is comfortably warm and the people are
friendly so it is easy to see why the Algarve is very popular among European
travellers.
The Algarve region is separated from
the rest of the country by a series of low-lying mountains. Its capital, Faro,
is built around a charming harbour beside a wide lagoon.
Most of the Algarve's modern holiday
resorts were once small fishing villages. Therefore they still feature central
areas with narrow streets, whitewashed houses and ancient churches. However it
is the long sandy beaches which have ensured its place as a holiday Mecca.
The coastline stretches 100 miles
(161km) from Cape St. Vincent to Vila Real de Santo Antonio on the border with
Spain. Much of this area is now home to high-rise hotels and holiday apartment
blocks, especially to the west of Faro.
Algarve is synonymous with the almond
trees that are found throughout the region. There are also groves of lemons,
oranges, carobs, pomegranates and figs that are grown inland in what is known
as the 'garden of Portugal'.
And of course, no holiday destination
would be complete without numerous golf courses which have become associated
with the real estate developments and major resorts.
The Algarve has the best
all year round climate in Europe. With long hours of sunshine and short periods
of rainfall (generally between November and March), it is a European paradise
for all sun worshipers.
The average monthly
temperatures are:
°C |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Day |
16 |
16 |
18 |
19 |
21 |
24 |
27 |
27 |
26 |
22 |
19 |
16 |
Night |
9 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
13 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
17 |
15 |
12 |
10 |
The main souvenirs people
bring home from the Algarve are hand painted ceramic tiles (azulejos), gold
filigree work, embroidered goods and other handcraft items.
There is a wealth of
shopping opportunities in the various resorts. Below is a sample of what is on
offer:
o The main shopping is along
Rua Santo Antonio & Rua Francisco Gomes
o There is a market on the
Largo de Mercado
o Specialities are
handcrafts: baskets, embroidery, local wines, clothing and ceramic tiles
o A purpose built resort
with plenty of shopping
o Designer outlets, shoe
stores, sports outlets, perfumeries, tobacconists, jewellers etc.
o For some local colour head
for the Saturday market at nearby Loule
o Flea market
o Lots of shops in the
pedestrianised Old City
o Main produce are local
wares – wickerwork, filigree jewellery, copperware, leather goods and wine
o Everything from seafront
kiosks to large shopping malls
o Main mall is Modelo Centre
in Rua de Municipio
o The lively Algarve
shopping centre complex in Guia is nearby (includes high street shops, cinema
and bowling)
o A self catering area
providing supermarkets and souvenir shops (selling cork, lace, embroidery and
shell art)
o ‘Old Market’ is the
upmarket handcraft shopping centre
Casa Grande Restaurant
A Máscara Restaurant
Minar Restaurant
Museo do Lagar Restaurant
Beira Rio Cafetaria
La Ruina Restaurant
Os Azeiteros Restaurant
Casa de Forno Restaurant
Rosas Cantina Restaurant
The Algarve may not be as
buzzing as Ibiza but it has plenty on offer to keep you entertained when the
sun goes down. The number of bars and clubs will depend on where you are
staying, but if you like to spend the night partying then head for Albufeira.
Here are a few of the
venues you might like to try out:
Wherever you are in the
Algarve there will always be plenty to do. Listed below are some of the places
you might like to visit. Of course, you can always take a day trip to Lisbon to
experience the Portuguese city life too.
o Old Town (Cidade Velha)
o Igreja do Carmo (chapel
decorated with bones)
o Ria Formosa Natural Park
o Estoi with its Roccoco
Palace and Roman ruins
o Archaeological Municipal
Museum
o Maritime Museum
o Visit nearby Loule with
its Moorish Castle and 13th century church
o Customs House
o Church of Igreja de Santo
Antonio
o Municipal Museum
o Virtual Archaeological
Museum
o Municipal Art Gallery
o Zoo Marine Park (in Guia)
o Xorino Cave
o Moorish Castle
o Various churches
The water is generally safe to drink throughout Portugal. At
times the temperatures can be high in the Algarve so it’s wise to always carry
water with you in the daytime.
Should you require any
medication whilst in Portugal, the pharmacies
are recognisable by a green cross on a white background displayed outside or
within the store window.