Tips and Highlights for Holidays in the Algarve

Portugal is named the world’s leading destination when it comes to holidays. The warm weather and countless hours of sunshine are especially popular in the UK. If we think about a Portugal vacation, most of us immediately picture Lisbon. However, the country has much more to offer. In the southernmost part of continental Portugal lies a region called the Algarve. Together with the capital, this area is the most important source of one of Portugal’s main revenue streams: the tourism industry. What is so special about the Algarve, and which unique things can we experience there?

The Algarve – Need-to-Knows

The Algarve is the southernmost of Portugal’s seven regions. Its name stems from the country’s history of Moorish occupation. It comes from the Arabic word al-gharb, meaning: The West, in regard to the name-giver’s origins. The area covers about 5,000 km² and includes a southern and western coastline with beautiful beaches.

Climate

These beaches in combination with the climate in the Algarve are a major reason why so many tourists choose the region as a holiday destination. Here, they can benefit from the largest number of sunny days in all of Europe. That’s roughly 3,000 hours of sunshine a year.

Culture

Next to the beaches, the country offers a lot of historic and cultural background. Before it became what it is today, it was either home to or occupied by various groups, from the Celts to the Romans and the mentioned Moors. Traces of these cultures can be found all over the region, including Roman temples, forts, or mosaics.

Lodgings & Infrastructure

Thanks to its popularity among tourists, the region is wealthy and has created a save environment with a good infrastructure and amenities. Tourist attractions and several activities aimed at travelers exists in many places. Many resort towns have sprung up, especially along the coastlines. Next to the numerous hotels, you will also find a wide variety of charming rentals and lettings in the Algarve, offering you more diversity and a chance for more locally authentic lodgings.

Places and Things to See in the Algarve

There are several interesting events and oddities found in the Algarve that are worth checking out on a holiday trip:

Festivals

• Easter – Multiple Days in April – Multiple Locations | Easter is one of the most openly celebrated Christian holidays in the Algarve. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, there will be many bombastic processions throughout the area. Notably are the Triumphal Procession in Tavira on Palm Sunday, the Evening Procession in Silves on Good Friday, and the Procession of Flower Torches in São Brãs on Easter Sunday.
• Folk Faro – Second Half of August – Faro | The Algarve’s capital, Faro, hosts this event to promote and share the folklore and traditions of different international nations. These festivities are supposed to strengthen the friendship between countries while deepening their own connections to the respective culture. There are many open-air performances, parades and shows all throughout the city.
• Noites de Moura Encatada – Second half of July – Cacela Velha | The Faro district Cacela Velha hosts a medieval festival with colorful markets, music, food, and entertainment. The Moorish influence of the time is strongly represented.

Cultural & Historical Landmarks

• Silves | Silves was the first capital of the region. Anybody who visits the city can immediately recognize the strong influence of the Moorish occupation. Many buildings still hint at the Muslim Empire.
• The Roman Ruins of Estói | Estói, a civil parish of Faro, is home to remains of a Roman villa rustica, which was named a national monument. The entire structure spans multiple buildings, from the main villa to thermae, a temple, a mausoleum and more. They are dated back to a time between the 1^st and 4^th centuries AD.
• Capela dos Ossos | The Capela dos Ossos is a small accompanying building to the Nossa Senhora do Carmo church in Faro. The ossuary chapel is only 4 by 6 meters big, but still has an impressive aura, since the building is built of the bones and skulls of over 1,000 Carmelite friars. The top of the building reads, in Portuguese: “Stop here and consider, that you will reach this state too.” – adding to the ominous vibe of the ossuary.

Fun Activities

• Michelin Star Restaurants | The Golden Triangle, a famous touristic region with a focus on the more luxurious things in life, includes the small town Almancil. Here you will find three Michelin starred restaurants in total, for those who always wanted to enjoy gourmet food of this class.
• Rooftop Bars | There are several rooftop bars in Faro, and other parts of the Algarve, that will allow you to enjoy drinks and music while watching the sunset from up high. Popular spots are the Rooftop Eva in the Eva Senses Hotel or O Castelo, located on the city walls. In the latter, the foods and drinks are accompanied by traditional themes and entertainment, matching the surroundings.

There are many great things to experience in the Algarve. These examples are just a few from what would otherwise fill entire books. If you get the chance to travel to the southernmost region of Portugal, make sure to check some of these out and get informed on the many other unique experiences you can have in Portugal. The many beautiful holiday lettings and the great touristic infrastructure will help you enjoy your stay all the more.