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Sites to See…Digital Guide to the Algarve (Portugal)

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In a recent post we highlighted the many things there are to see and do in the Algarve. Whether you are interested in soaking up the sun on a sandy beach, playing 18 holes of golf on a championship course, or taking a step back in history by visiting the remains of a Moorish castle in Silves, there is something for everyone to do in this region of Portugal.

The Tourist Office of Portugal has put together a digital guide to the Algarve that will help you plan out the perfect itinerary. The guide includes everything from recipes for traditional dishes from the region, a list of wines and vineyards, to info on walking trails, and so much more.

Below is a list of the information contained in the guide:

  • Algarve Regional Cooking Guide
  • Guide to Wines of the Algarve
  • Guide to the Algarve’s beaches
  • Guide to the Cultural Heritage of the Algarve
  • Routes and Tours of the Algarve
  • Guide to Walking Trails in the Algarve

To access the Visit Algarve Guide, click here.

Photo credit: Turismo de Portugal Algarve

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Next Stop…The Algarve in Portugal

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The Algarve is one of Portugal’s most popular destinations for visitors.  Located on the southern coast of the country, the Algarve has 100 miles of coastline that spans from the border with Spain to the town of Sagres, which is the most south-westerly tip of Europe.

Many come to the Algarve to enjoy the 300 days of sunshine per year and the beautiful sandy beaches. But there is much more to the Algarve than just a beach.  For sports enthusiasts and people who enjoy the outdoors there are numerous activities to choose from, including golf, cycling, tennis, surfing, horseback riding, kayaking, rock climbing, kite surfing, and wake boarding, to name a few. Golf lovers can choose from the 70 courses found throughout the region and the many resorts that cater to all of their needs. Families will enjoy taking boat trips that include visits to caves and seeing dolphins off the coastline, or visiting water parks, theme parks and zoos. For beach information, click here, and for golf information, click here.

Visitors interested in culture and history can immerse themselves in towns like Faro, the capital of the region. Its origins date back to Roman times and the 13th C. Cathedral is a National Monument. In Silves you can visit the well preserved exterior of the Moorish castle that dates back to the 8th C., and in Sagres you can see the lighthouse located on the cape that was considered the end of the world in ancient times. For the Algarve Cultural Heritage Guide (in PDF format) – published by the Algarve Tourism Board, click here

For information and reservations for hotels located in the Algarve area, click here.

Photo Credit: Freebird / Photo of Praia dos Tres Irmaos beach

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.

Next Stop…Faro, Portugal

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Faro is the provincial capital of the Algarve, and is located in the center of the 100 km. sandy stretch of Portugal’s southern coastline. It is the gateway city for many people who arrive in the Algarve through the international airport that is located on the outskirts of town.

Faro’s history dates back to Roman times, when the city was known as Ossonoba. Visitors can explore the old part of the city, or Cidade Velha, to learn more about the town’s historic past. You enter the old town through the Arco da Vila, built by order of Bishop Francisco Gomes, who oversaw the reconstruction of Faro after the earthquake in 1755. In the middle of the square you will find the Sé (Cathedral), which dates back to the end of the 13th C. While its exterior may seem simple, inside you will find decorated azulejos (tiles), intricate gilded carving, and other works of art. Housed in the 16th C. Nossa Senhora da Assunção convent is the Museu Municipal, which contains Portuguese, Spanish and Italian paintings, and other artifacts from the region.

If you are looking for some down time and want to relax on a sandy beach, then head to the Porta Nova pier located on the waterfront, located outside of the old town. There you can hop on a ferry that will take you to one of the ilhas (sandspits) beaches that can be found surrounding Faro to enjoy a day in the sun.

If you decide to spend the night you can stay at the Pousada de Faro – Palácio de Estoi, an elegant 19th C. palace located just outside of town. For more information and reservations, click here.

Photo credit: Dronepicr

For assistance with your travel plans, including hotel and private tour reservations, click here.