Portuguese wine is among the world’s famous wines like French wine, with this comprehensive guide you will be able to discover some of the hidden gems of traditional Portuguese wine.

Download the Algarve Wine Guide.

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Wines of the Algarve

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Algarve is a perfect holiday or vacation destination, an year-round sunny weather boasting temperatures between 20ºC and 30ºC on average, makes the Algarve an ideal spot for sports enthusiasts like golf, tennis and swimming. The immense coastline with fantastic sandy beaches offers a perfect scenario for all kinds of water sports. So here is a nice list of enough strong reasons for visiting the Algarve region.

1. Tavira is one of the most beautiful towns in the Algarve, also one of the few towns that preserves its architectural origins. Tavira is located around 30 Km East of Faro, the picturesque town is known for its historical culture and unspoilt white sand beaches, typical roofs and chimneys, beautiful views over the Gilão river and its Roman bridge. Tavira is the city with most churches in the Algarve, it has around 28 magnificent churches and chapels, a very high number for such a small town. Check our Tavira Guide for more about this amazing town.
2. Parque Natural de Ria Formosa it’s one of the major tourist attractions of Algarve, located between Manta Rota and Vale do Lobo in south of Portugal. The Park is a National protected area of unspoilt marshlands, freshwater lakes and lagoons filled with a unique range of local wildlife. A place where you can admire the fauna & flora characteristic of the Algarve region.
3. Albufeira a peaceful traditional fishing village, is now also a leading tourist resort of Algarve. It is famous for its beaches, golf courses, restaurants, bars, discos, and vibrant nightlife. Notable beaches are – Gale, Coelha, São Rafael and Vigia, Baleeira, Albufeira, Oura, Balaia, Maria Luísa and Olhos de Água, and Falésia. Notable golf courses are – Salgados, Pine Cliffs, and Balaia Golf Village.
4. Carvoeiro is a lovely coastal village and a great tourist center, located in the area of Lagoa, in the Central Algarve. The lively and friendly fishing village has a nice sheltered beach that is good for snorkelling. The coastal village is famous for its wide range of restaurants and bars. It is a popular venue for free live entertainment shows.
5. Castro Marim is a charming town and municipality in the southern region of Algarve. Featuring dusty gold of soft sand, the turquoise blue of warm waters, the town has three main beaches – Alagoa, Verde/Cabeço, and Retur. It also offers vast ranges of hills full of wild flowers, and serene countryside along the banks of the Guardania, lush with orchards and vegetable gardens.
6. Faro is your sunny destination all year round. It is a popular place for sun-seekers. The white-washed town is known for its colonial and Moorish-influenced architectures and museums, such as Cathedral, Nossa Senhora da Assuncão Convent, São Francisco Church, Infante Dom Henrique, and Regional Ethnographic museum.
7. Monchique is an attractive mountain-top village in southern Portugal, in the district of Faro. It is a fantastic health-resort, finely situated among the wooded heights of the Serra de Monchique. The lovely village is famous for hot sulfur springs, with baths; it has a delightful natural thermal spa famed since Roman times.
8. Praia de Odeceixe is a lovely sheltered, crescent-shaped beach in South Portugal. The place is a virtual paradise for surfing. It is a reliable surfing destination where you can enjoy surfing at any time of the year. The beach rarely gets packed, even in the height of the summer.
9. Algarve Cuisine offering an immense range of delicious regional dishes, is also one of major reasons for visiting the region. You can check out the regional specialties, such as seafood soups oregano snails, pork meat and “cataplana” clams, roasted dried octopus on the grill (Lagos style), and grilled squid and cuttlefish. And, don’t forget to taste the fig pastries, marzipan pastries, “D. Rodrigo” and “Morgado” from Tavira, puff pastries from Olhão, and almond paste and caramel pastries from Tavira.
10. Algarve Golf facilities are one of the finest in the world. Algarve really is a perfect destination for golf vacation. You can really find a large number of top class golf courses in the city. Some of the notable golf courses include Parque da Floresta, Boavista, Palmares, Álamos, Alto Golf, Gramacho, Morgado, Penina Academy, Silves Golf, and many more.

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10 reasons for you to visit the Algarve

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Usually people booking holidays in the Algarve are attracted by the region’s famous climate, beautiful beaches and the welcoming and courteous Portuguese hospitality. Many also come to enjoy sports activities including a whole range of exciting water sports, deep sea fishing and golf. The region is home to some of the world’s most physically challenging and visually exciting golf courses.

Photo by ASB@Photo

If you are planning to book holidays in the Algarve it’s recommended that you do it early in the year (e.g. around February/March) and don’t leave it for the last minute, by doing so you will not only be avoiding disappointments, but you will also manage to get the best deals and nice affordable packages. A good place to start checking for low price accommodation is in booking.com.

With over 100 pure white sand beaches spread over the coastline, Algarve holidays offer a varied choice of resorts that suits everyone who visits. Most of the resorts in the Algarve were originally small fishing villages which are now filled with beachfront hotels and apartments, and plenty of restaurants and bars, with some still retaining a charming, traditional feel with their narrow cobbled streets, and white-washed houses.

The main Algarve holiday resorts are centred around the lively town of Albufeira. West of Albufeira, Portimão is a cosmopolitan town with a rich, cultural heritage and is backed by pine covered hills and fields of wild flowers. The white sandy beaches and warm waters of Praia da Rocha lie close by. Vilamoura is a purpose built Algarve town that has its own attractive marina lined with shops, bars and cafes and has excellent sports facilities, particularly for golfers.

Photo by Roo Reynolds

For those in search of a lively holiday with plenty of nightlife, head for the main resort of Albufeira, with its’ vibrant strip full of bars, clubs and English-style restaurants, or if you’re looking for the best beaches in the Algarve, then try Praira da Oura, Açoteias or Praia de Falésia. The quieter resorts of Altura and Alvor offer a sleepy pace, and the inland towns and villages such as Estoi and Tavira show visitors a side of the Algarve that is rich in history and culture. Holidays in the Algarve cater for everyone, with resorts such as Vilamoura and Quinto de Lago offering top-of-the-range sporting facilities, with the emphasis on the excellent golf courses.

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Algarve holidays, when, where and how

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Among the traditional music and gastronomy available trough all the Tavira city parishes, Tavira will once again be the stage for the so awaited city parades. Don’t lose it if you are around, and take a look at the Guide for Tavira in June.

As usual you can download here the useful Algarve Guide for June '09.

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Algarve Guide: Things to do in June

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Download here the Guide Flavours of the Algarve '09.

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1st Gastronomic week: Flavours of the Algarve

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1. Wines of the Algarve Because of its exceptional climate, its soil and its south-facing location, the Algarve has what is known in specialist wine [...]...

Some stuff worth of mention happening this month: The Algarve International Music Festival; Vodafone Rally of Portugal; Festival of the Sovereign Mother.

As usual you can get the full panorama of activities for this month in the PDF Agenda available for download — and print if you wish (don’t forget to remember you should save trees).

Download the useful Algarve Guide for April '09.

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Algarve Guide: Things to do in April

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Together with the beautiful view of the almond trees in blossom, you can go to events like the Festival of Gastronomy of the Serra in Tavira or the 16th Traditional Sausage Fair of ther Serra de Monchique.

Download the useful Algarve Guide for March '09.

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Algarve Guide: Events in March 2009

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Download the useful Algarve Guide for February '09.

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Algarve Guide: What to do in February

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On the Western edge of Europe where the land meets the sea and winds carry the warm scents of Africa, there is a country of friendly and hospitable people. A country of contrasts whose diversity is one of it’s greatest treasures, of lands where Nature has remained untouched and time appears to have stopped. A realm of endless plains and beaches washed by the Atlantic and caressed by the Sun.

Portugal, a country that needs to be deeply experienced to be understood. A country of artists whose works have made Portugal world renowned. Its long History can be seen in its imposing castles where we can spend the night within walls that have protected kings, califs, and the march of time itself. In Fairy tale palaces surrounded by enchanted forests abundant with romantic works and secluded areas, where even those already in love develop new passions.

But Portugal has also another facade where the grandeur of the past and excitement of the future live side-by-side. A young and welcoming nation that lives intensely twenty four hours a day. A vibrant country full of color where the Sun shines all year round. In mountains that can take the breath away from even the most experienced traveller, in places where the grandeur of the landscape is rivaled only by the majesty of the form. And even when you think you have seen everything, Portugal has something more to offer: the possibility of doing nothing.

Relax, and enjoy the endless beaches of a country with 850Km of coastline. And after a busy day, start your evening with a great meal, because in a country with centuries of History, and some of the best wines in the world, cooking has become an highly appreciated art.

Portugal is all this, and much more. A marvelous and captivating country, from the very first moment you arrive. A unique country that offers a thousand and one things to do. Embark on an exciting journey, and loose your heart to a country where there is a surprise around every corner. Take a deep breath and dive into an unforgettable experience.

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Algarve Tourism Video

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Check the useful Algarve Guide for download in PDF. Algarve Guide for January '09

You will be able to select from a wide range of activities like “Querença Sausage Festival”

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Algarve Guide: What to do in January

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