Algarve Holidays: Where to go in the Algarve

The Algarve can be all things to all people; a romantic getaway, a youngster’s delight, a sun worshipper’s joy, a late night/early morning party or an adrenaline junkies dream vacation. Whatever type of holiday you are looking for, you will find it here in Portugal’s Algarve and the best part of it is, whatever time of year you choose to visit, the weather will not disappoint.

Many people have different ideas about what makes their perfect Algarve holiday. For some it is finding that perfect secluded spot on a beautiful beach with breathtaking views and a warm sea breeze. For others it’s a safe haven in which the kids can enjoy themselves making sand castles and eating ice cream. Others still, will prefer lazing on a beach catching the sun’s rays between liberal applications of Tropicana sun tan lotion. Some will prefer to sleep for large parts of the day, waiting for the lights to come on and the DJ’s to start working their decks whilst others, will want nothing more than to down some red bull and catch the next big wave.

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Where to go for romantic Algarve holidays

Coastal Algarve is full of romantic spots; secluded beaches that are not so easily accessed, making them ideal for couples who are unencumbered by the paraphernalia associated with children and who are intent only, on whiling away a few uninterrupted hours in glorious solitude.

If you are looking for the perfect spot to share precious romantic moments with your partner, then you should check out some of the beaches in the eastern region of the Algarve, around the town of Tavira. The beach at Tavira is known as Ilha de Tavira, or Tavira Island. It is 14 kilometres of offshore sand spit which, whilst it is easily accessed via ferry from the mainland, has a good number of isolated, romantic spots for you and your partner to share.

Also in the east you’ll find romantic beaches in the Vila Real de Santo António region, look out for the beaches of Cabeço, Gancho, Monte Gordo, Santa Luzia, Verde and Barril. Praia Verde, so called due to the forest of Pines that forms its backdrop, is simply stunning. If you can imagine it, a painter would need just three colours to conjure this setting; crystal blue, golden yellow and deep, dark green. It is beautiful and relatively uncrowded too.

Where to go for family holidays in Algarve with younger children

Having decided to bring your young family away with you to the Algarve, you will want to know, where’s best to take them. East central Algarve is our tip. Here you’ll find beaches of soft golden sand which is ideal for building sand castles and digging large trenches or holes for Dad to sit in while the kids try to bury him.

East central Algarve, between Albufeira and Vilamoura is home to the rubber ring, the water wing, the lilo and the peddaloe but most importantly, it is also home to the life guard, leaving you able to relax and sunbathe or lose yourself in a good book, at least until someone wants an ice cream or to play with the bigger bucket and spade.

Where to go for an Algarve beach holiday

If your idea of an Algarve beach holiday is doing nothing more that finding a relatively quiet spot on a beach, laying out your towel and sunbathing from dawn till dusk, then you’ll be wanting to head for the beaches between Carvoeiro and Albufeira. The centres of these resort locations tend to get a little crowded, especially in high season, but head between them and you’ll find just what you’re looking for.

Check out Praia de São Rafael, here you’ll find two beaches both with bar/restaurant facilities which serve excellent food. Even in high summer, these beaches are relatively quiet. There are stunning panoramic views of the steep cliff lined coast and the more determined among you will stumble across the beach nirvana that is, a secret area totally screened from view from the sea with a small but natural lagoon. Also look for the Praia do Castelo. This sandy beach nestles between cliff walls and is full of hidden nooks and crannies and small creeks. The beach is reached by wooden steps or a wooden ramp.

Of course the Algarve beach experience would not be complete without the peddaloe, the inner tube, the banana boat the jet ski and water skiing and all of these can be found in central Algarve. Here the water is not too choppy, it is in fact quite calm though not as flat as in the east. This makes the conditions are ideal for messing about on the water and with full time life guards in peak season, it’s really quite safe too.

Where to go for nightlife in Algarve

Mention nightlife in the Algarve and those in the know will tell you, Praia da Rocha is the place to go. Lagos, Portimao, Vilamoura, Albufeira and even Vale do lobo, all have their musical highlights but Praia da Rocha is the daddy. There’s a long esplanade crammed with glitzy bars and trendy nightclubs in which you can party the night away. Lagos comes alive at night to the tune of smooth soul and sexy jazz funk and the live music on offer in the town often comes with a Latin twist. Vilamoura marina features a multitude of bars and eateries and the long hot summers evenings are often finished off in style with a spectacular fireworks display. Albufeira is famed for its “strip” with loads of clubs and bars to choose from. Among them, Lineker’s and Cafe del Mar stand out alongside some of the smaller bars like Alberto’s and Devlins, the Mustang bar, Paradise and Liberto's to name but a few. Even the Vale do Lobo gets in on the party act, with beach parties often going on well into the night.

Where to go for Algarve activity holidays

For high octane, no nonsense water sports and great diving, head for western Algarve to the waters off Sagres and Vila do Bispo, here you’ll find conditions ideal for body boarding, surfing and wind surfing as well as water skiing and parascending. For water-skiing and jet-skiing head for the beaches a little further east like those of Albufeira, Vilamoura and Quinta do Lago. For the sailors among you, the marinas of Lagos, Portimao, Vilamoura and Albufeira are the places to be.

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