Popular Tourist Destinations in the Algarve Portugal

AlbufeiraTavira and Monte Gordo
Albufeira is considered by many to be a youngTavira has been developed significantly in recent
persons destination, but there is plenty for older peopleyears, but retains much of its original charm. A visit to
and families to do, and the resort is much quieter awaythe Old Town is recommended with its historic church
from the main summer season. The beaches areand beautiful medieval houses with Gothic windows
fantastic, and in the evening head for the Old Townand doorways. There are plenty of shops, bars and
and The Strip (the sea front area). There are plenty ofrestaurants to idle away the time. The best beaches
restaurants and bars along the strip, but the pricesrequire a short ferry ride out to Tavira Island, but there
here are generally higher than away from the seaare smaller beaches around the town which are great
front.for kids.
The town is effectively 2 parts - the strip and the oldMonte Gordo was formerly a fishing village, and was
town with its cobbled streets, shops, bars, restaurantsone of the first tourist destinations on the Algarve with
all based around a town square. Albufeira is also athe first hotels in the area built in the sixties. One of the
good winter destination, with plenty of winter activitiesmost beautiful areas of the Algarve is Monte Gordo
such as golf, fishing, boat trips and walking.beach which has fantastic scenery. In the town there
Alvorare a great number of bars and restaurants, where
Alvor is a traditional Portuguese fishing village locatedyou can taste the best of the traditional Algarve
on a sheltered natural lagoon which opens out into thecuisine. The Restaurant Marisqueira Monte Gordo is a
sea. The town is a maze of narrow cobbled streets,favourite destination for tourists.
with an old parish church at the centre. There areLagos
plenty of restaurants in Alvor serving a variety ofThe well known rock formations and golden beaches
cuisine, catering for most tastes. The quaysidehave made Lagos one of the most popular Algarve
restaurants provide fresh sea produce at veryresorts. As you head West from Faro, the scenery
reasonable prices. Fish stews and grilled sardines aregradually becomes more rugged, with many of the
local specialities. Deep sea fishing and boating trips arebeaches becoming a little less accessible. The water
available at the harbour. Although this ancient coastalcan be choppy, and may not be ideal for young
village is now a very popular holiday location thechildren.
enclosed narrow streets have restricted the advancesSagres
of developers, and much of the towns original charm isIf you are interested natural beauty rather than the
preserved. Many of these cobbled streets have barsmore developed resorts, or you are an experienced
with live music and different types of restaurantssurfer then head for the far south western tip of the
PortimaoAlgarve. Sagres is around a 2 hour drive from Faro,
Portimao is one of the most densely populated cities inand resembles Wales. The beaches here can be
the Algarve. Portimao is the largest town on thedangerous due to the huge waves, and a number of
Barlavento/Western area of Algarve. The city has aunsuspecting people have been swept away in recent
harbour and a small airfield. The coastline aroundyears. Sagres Castle is set on cliff tops above the sea
Portimao consists of sandy beaches and stunningand is a great place to view the fantastic landscape.
colored rock formations. The Caves of Estombar areIf you are visiting the Algarve and require a rental car,
well worth a visit, as is the mosaic floor of the RomanBlue Valley Car Hire provide car hire direct from Faro
villa at Figueira. Inland from Portimao the scenery andAirport.
traditional villages are also not to be missed.