Ten Top Algarve Holiday Destinations from West Algarve to East Algarve

Everyone has their own personal favourite Algarve holiday destination. Some like the busy bars and happening nightlife of Carvoeiro and Albufeira. Some prefer the peace and quiet of the Algarve coast’s secluded coves, some like nothing better than lying in the sun, relaxing with a good book and others, particularly those with young children, like the organised excursions and adventure playgrounds. People love Algarve holidays for a host of different reasons. Here are just a few ideas to help you decide on the ideal location for your next family holiday in the Algarve.

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Sagres

Sagres, in western Algarve, is the most southwesterly resort destination in the Algarve. It is relatively untouched by tourism compared to the likes of Luz and Carvoeiro further east along the coast, but it does attract its own particular breed of tourist.

The tourist here is less likely to be concerned about getting a tan and much more likely to worry about when the next big wave is coming in. Here the “tourists” prefer wet suits to linen ones and spend more time applying wax to their boards than their chests. This, if you like, is the business end of the Algarve. Cocktails give way to energy drinks and steaks, to pasta and jacket spuds. They might have fun lying around in the sun further east but here, it’s all about catching the wave and having the energy to do it properly.

Luz

Families with small children may like the safe, clean beaches of Luz. Praia da Luz is the beach at Luz in western Algarve. Not the western Algarve of the surfer and adrenaline junkie, but the western Algarve of the pedalo and banana boat. Add this to the miles and miles of soft sandy beach that are available here and you have the perfect recipe for a fun filled beach family holiday. You can lie around on the beach to your heart’s content, knowing the kids are under the constant supervision of the beach lifeguard and that if/when they get peckish, you are never to far from a restaurant, bar, café or ice cream vendor. Praia da Luz is the ideal resort location for young family holidays. Everything is close at hand including supermarkets, shops and banks.

Lagos

Lagos in western Algarve is full of history. The older part of the town is still encircled by city walls that were built during the 16th century when it was the residence of the governors of the Algarve and there is evidence of more of Lagos’ history all over town. That said, Lagos has very definitely moved with the times and today’s Lagos is as vibrant and lively a place as you could wish for.

Restaurants and cafes abound in the tiny streets off Praça de Gil Eanes, which is the main town square and there are loads of bars that stay open until the early hours. In the summer, the town and its modern marina really come to life and people of all ages mill about, enjoying themselves and enjoying the party atmosphere. Lagos has a large marina which can berth more than 450 vessels. It has been awarded both the Euromarina Anchor Award and the Blue Flag award and with its variety of shops, bars and restaurants, it has an atmosphere all its own, together with great views of the boats.

Alvor

The 1960’s was the time when Alvor, like most of the Algarve began to witness tourism. Since then it has undergone a steady flow of development but this has been carefully monitored by the authorities so as not to lessen the area’s appeal. Alvor can still boast a charming old town with narrow cobbled streets which wend their way down to the harbour.

The riverfront in Alvor has had a face-lift in recent times and is now fully paved and lined with palm trees. Several bars exist offering plenty of outside seating for those endless summer days and balmy evenings. The riverfront is lovely and watching the fishing boats as they offload their daily catch, mostly to the local restaurants, is a delight, especially as you know that one of those barbecued beauties will land on your plate very soon.

Portimao
The largest town in western Algarve, Portimao is a busy town and perfect for the family who just don’t want to run out of anything. There are a myriad of shops here, selling everything from a bucket and spade to a jar of olives. There are gift shops and clothes shops aplenty, some of which you’ll recognise from British shopping malls and there are even hardware and garden furniture stores.

Portimão’s architecture is a mix of late 19th, early 20th century in the older part of town but the ice cream coloured high rise apartment blocks which are dotted about the place are obviously a little more modern. Bars, restaurants and café’s are in no short supply either. You can sit outside at the pavement tables enjoying a bite to eat or a drink as you watch the world go by. A modern marina now joins Praia da Rocha which is the main beach of Portimao and has become a tourist resort in its own right. The marina sees many boats at anchor and its development has given rise to yet more bars and restaurants, many of which are of a very high quality.

Carvoeiro

Originally a traditional fishing village, like many others on the Algarve coast, Carvoeiro has become very popular with tourists and has grown accordingly. The old part of town, the original village has been expanded upon and built around, to accommodate the increasing demand for residential property in the area and the reason for this, quite simply, is the small beach, Praia do Carvoeiro and its surrounding rocky inclines are beautiful.

With plenty of shops, you can source whatever you need in terms of groceries and household items in the town centre or just outside at one of the larger supermarkets and as far as nightlife is concerned; Carvoeiro is well served with bars and restaurants but it is not the place for nightclubs.

Albufeira

One for the young adults this; Albufeira is a party town. Benefiting from more than 3000 hours of sunshine every year, it seems that the summer is never really over here and that the party season lasts all year. The atmosphere that pervades the town is one of fun and excitement and small wonder really, as the town is jam packed with bars, nightclubs, restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets.

Unlike Luz, Albufeira does not have just one beach by which it is known, there are several, all within easy reach of the town centre. There’s the Praia do Peneco with its wide promenade lined with restaurants that look out onto the beach. There are look out posts which are great for sightseeing and row upon row of sunbeds, ideal for catching some rays. Then there is Fisherman’s Beach or Praia dos Pescadores. Here, unlike at the majority of Albufeira beaches, there area no rocks, the water is clear and the place is quiet and relaxing. Then there's Praia do Inatel, a beach that is named after the Inatel tourist complex, which overlooks the sea at the beach’s eastern end. The Praia dos Alamães, Praia das Areias de São João, Praia dos Aveiros and the Praia da Oura all go to round off the list of Albufeira beaches and as many as there are, they are responsible for just five of the Algarve’s 155km coastline.

Vilamoura

There isn’t much about Vilamoura, aside from the weather that is typically Portuguese but if you want to see how the Portuguese do luxury accommodation in the Algarve, this is the place to come. It is arguably the most impressive resort of its kind in Europe and one of the best in all of Portugal. There are luxurious villas and apartments and townhouses with picture perfect views of the coast or of manicured golf courses.

There is a gorgeous marina, which is lined with high-end designer shops, quality restaurants and trendy bars, and as you’d expect of this location, the marina itself is full to bursting with expensive yachts and gin palaces. Vilamoura offers something for everyone, boat trips can be arranged for those that don’t own one of their own and if you’re feeling fit and fancy a trek, you can embark on one of the specially designed walking or biking tours of the area, safe in the knowledge that a cocktail awaits your return.

Olhao

Olhão is the largest fishing port in the Algarve and you can look at the town in two ways; you can see it as a busy, industrial port town or as a very pleasing water front facing village type environ with a delightful promenade which is lined with trees offering cool respite from the heat of the sun. At once, Olhao is both these things, it just depends which way you look.

The town of Olhao is well known for its large fish markets. The produce, which comes fresh off the boat in the port, is lined up alongside colourful locally grown vegetables and fruit, creating an array of sights and smells and all around the markets are little pavement café’s, great to sit out and enjoy the sights and sounds of this bustling arena.

Tavira

Tavira tries hard to avoid the march of progress and tourism, preferring instead to cling to its traditions and live life at a more genteel pace. That said, the market hall on the river has been re-vamped and is now home to several shops, cafes and restaurants, which have been arranged around a central space, regularly used for exhibitions and special events.

This very attractive town boasts some grand old buildings which reflect its
wealthy past and these can be found around the Praça da República. Off of the square you’ll find rows of typical Portuguese 'town' houses along narrow cobbled streets a good number of shops to browse around and some very pretty little squares to sit and relax in.

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Ten reasons to take an Algarve villa holiday this summer.

Great weather

The weather in the Algarve can always be relied upon to deliver and this is especially true of the summer months. Summer can be said to last from late May to early September in the Algarve. In early summer, the average temperature in the Algarve rises during the day to around 27°C that’s about 80°F and even when it drops, it only drops to around 17°C or 63°C. This daily dose of sunshine increases in intensity right through to August, the hottest month of the year, when it reaches approximately 31°C or 86°F

Beautiful beaches

The summer months are a wonderful time to experience and enjoy the great Algarve beaches and with around 200km of coastline, there are too many beaches and coves to count. Many of them have been awarded the blue flag marker for cleanliness and with life guards posted at all but the smallest beaches during this time of year, they are among the safest beaches in the world too.

Wonderful scenery

Another aspect of the Algarve that is extremely popular among its visitors is its scenery. The Algarve has some of the most stunning and breathtaking scenery in Europe and it is in the summertime, between late May and early September that the flora and fauna of this beautiful region, really comes to life. The Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the Algarve’s greatest must sees. Located in central Algarve and slightly to the East, it is on the periphery of some of the finest, prettiest and most challenging golf courses, in the world.

Luxurious accommodation

With all the area’s beautiful natural attributes, it should come as no great surprise that the accommodation on offer here is of the highest quality too. From the Algarve’s apartments to its town houses and Algarve villas, all have been created and are offered to a standard that befits their location and surroundings. Quality is standard here as holidaymakers have come to expect nothing but the best from the Algarve’s very popular resorts.

Great choice of villas, apartments and townhouses

Here at villa in Algarve, we pride ourselves on offering the highest standards of accommodation at very reasonable rents. We have villas for rent in the Algarve countryside and also on the outskirts of town. We have villas and townhouses with coastal views and with views over golf courses and we also have seaside apartments and apartments and townhouses close to so of the very popular seaside towns with views of the coastline and the beaches

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Friendly People

Despite their proximity to Spain, the Portuguese are not Spanish. They have and are very proud of, their own identity. There are similarities of course, but it is important to respect their cultural differences. The Portuguese do not like being referred to as Spanish any more than the Welsh, the Scots or the Irish, like to be called English. They are very friendly and hospitable people who believe strongly in the importance of family and tradition. They are also a very religious people as can be seen through the importance they attach to ceremonies and festivals

Wonderful food

The traditional Portuguese meal is a healthy combination of just about anything they can find in the larder but its fair to say that if you love fish, you’ll love Portuguese cooking. You’ll find everything from anchovies to swordfish, sole to sea bream and bass to salmon mixed with chicken and pork or beef with rice and spices. It is not unusual to find fish and meat served together as part of the same dish. These ingredients together with fresh vegetables, spices and nuts are often thrown together to create a hearty warming stew. From a culinary perspective, Portugal’s position, south of Europe and north of Africa, places it perfectly for the eclectic mix of food flavours, tastefully represented in its restaurants and cafes.

Great nightlife

When thinking of the nightlife in the Algarve, the bright lights and loud music of the clubs and bars in Carvoeiro and Albufeira come to mind but it doesn’t end there. The Algarve has a nightlife to suit every taste. Jazz is very popular here; from February right through the summer, to mid August there are Jazz festivals all over Portugal, starting at Seia in February and ending in Lisbon in August. Lisbon in fact has a live music event of one kind or another, occurring throughout the year, as do many of the larger towns and cities.

Great range of sports available

The most popular of the sports in the Algarve of course, has to be golf. The Algarve is world famous for its golf courses, many of which have played host to the Portuguese open. The course at Estoril and the old course at Villamoura have a dedicated following amongst the golfing fraternity as do the courses at Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Tavira in the East Algarve. The Algarve is not all about golf though, further west out toward Sagres and Vila do Bispo, you’ll find some of the greatest watersports in Europe and then there’s football. Portuguese football is considered among the best in the world and you may well get the chance to witness some of Portugal’s star players either on a training ground or perhaps in a live match.

Great kids entertainment

A great family holiday destination, the Algarve has plenty to offer kids of all ages. The little ones can amuse themselves creating sandcastles on the beach, those slightly older migtht fancy a trip to aqualand. As the name suggests, this is a waterpark with several aquatic attractions, chief among which are the Banzai Boggan, the kamikaze and the Anaconda. For those who would prefer to stay out of the water, there is Blokarting (wind assisted go-karting) available near Sagres and across the other side, a little east of Faro, you’ll find Braveland which features Slides, Bouncy Castles, Archery, Mountain Biking, Trekking, Paintballing, Climbing, Rappel, Low and High Ropes, Adventure Bridges and loads more.

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Relaxed Algarve Holidays – Your guide to unwinding in the Algarve

Choice of location is all important when it comes to finding your ideal place to relax and unwind. The Algarve in Portugal is just such a place. It can be all things to all people; it can be riotous and fun in parts, it can be very business like in others and it can also be your perfect place to relax and unwind.

Looking across the warm North Atlantic Ocean toward North Africa, this really could be paradise on Earth. It never gets too hot here, or too cold, in fact the climate remains temperate all year round, delivering some 3000+ hours of sunshine annually. The beaches and scenery are lovely and the rock formations, breathtaking.

Under the stewardship of a concerned government; the natural beauty of the Algarve has not been allowed to be undermined by the irresponsible over-development that has affected so many other holiday resorts and second home locations.

It is true that there are a lot of golfing developments here and many of them are world class, but their presence does not harm the landscape. They have been designed to sympathetically merge with and beautify the countryside rather than destroy it. The natural habitats like those found in the Ria Formosa Natural Park have been encouraged and allowed to develop naturally and where the game of Golf does encroach upon the Park, it does so with empathy and respect.

When looking for your perfect relaxing holiday hideaway, consider this; the Algarve can be roughly split into 3 separate and distinct sections. They are Western Algarve, Central Algarve and Eastern Algarve. Western Algarve takes you to areas such as Lagos and Luz, the Central Algarve area takes in such places as Carvoeiro, Albufeira and Vilamoura and Eastern Algarve brings you areas like Olhão, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo Antonio all of which are very different and very beautiful locations, in their own right and offer different forms of relaxation.

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Relaxing Western Algarve

In Lagos for example you’ll find luxurious private holiday villas with wonderful Algarve sea views, you may even find one with its own private heated infinity pool allowing you to bathe quietly as you look out toward the calming azure sea. Many Lagos villas come with spacious terraces, balconies and roof terraces, barbecues and most are offered with air conditioning throughout.

The same is true of Luz. in Luz you’ll find villas of exceptional quality located just 10 minutes or so from Praia da Luz which boast the loveliest views. You’ll find villas with pools and barbecue terraces, some even with their own, private tennis courts. Many of these homes will have been decorated to the highest standards and, like all our villas, their condition is constantly appraised to ensure that your holiday experience is as comfortable, relaxing and as luxurious as possible.

Relaxing Central Algarve
Most of the villas in Carvoeiro in Central Algarve come with private pools, terraces and barbecue facilities. They are offered in exceptional condition and many will be within easy walking distance of local shops and amenities. Golf courses and tennis courts are a short distance from here so if you fancy getting active you’ll never be short of something to do, alternatively you could take the time to relax with a long cool drink by the pool playing Sudoku or a friendly game of Backgammon.

The foodies among you will love a relaxing holiday in Guia. Guia is located about 30 minutes from Faro airport; it is quite close to the town of Albufeira, on the central Algarve coast. The village is famous for its delicious chicken piri-piri restaurant dishes and is the perfect place to stay if your idea of a relaxing holiday is not to have to cook. There are 20 or so great restaurants in the area so even if you’re staying for two weeks you won’t have to pick up a pan or even a dishcloth once.

If you like the thought of teeing off at 7am and find that going for a long walk following a little white ball around on some grass relaxes you, then you’ll love the Central Algarve area. It is chock full of Golf courses, of varying degrees of difficulty. Many of the Greens have been graced by the presence of some of the world’s top Golfers including; Thomas Bjørn, Michael Hoey, Grégory Bourdy , Ronan Rafferty, Colin Montgomerie and Sam Torrance so you’re in for a real treat if that is your bag.

Relaxing Eastern Algarve

The Eastern Algarve is arguably the most relaxing side of the Algarve, mile upon mile of beautiful golden sanded beach stretch out along the coastline and, like parts of Western Algarve, much of it is unspoiled by tourism. Picture yourself here, sitting out on the terrace, a long cool drink in one hand and a good book in the other. Picture those around you busying themselves with the barbecue as you relax, sit back and wait to be served.

Most of the villas on offer here in Eastern Algarve come with pools, terraces and bbq facilities as well as air conditioning. Some will have breathtaking sea vistas whilst others will have lovely views of open countryside and others still, will look out onto manicured golf courses. Whatever view you are graced with, you can be sure of a truly relaxing Eastern Algarve holiday.

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Spring in the Algarve – What’s going on?

Early Spring in the Algarve is marked by increasingly warmer temperatures and there is a sense of anticipation and excitement in the air as the locals, who have enjoyed a fairly peaceful first few months of the year, ready themselves for the start of the festival and tourist seasons proper. That said, anyone who knows anything about the Algarve knows that the festival and tourist seasons operate pretty much all year round here anyway so what respite there was, was always going to be short-lived.

Marked as much by the emerging flora as by the improving weather conditions, you’ll begin to see vast numbers of Pyramidal Orchids and swathes of similarly coloured Field Gladious, both a deep radiant or shocking pink. You won’t fail to notice the red and pink of the Bougainvillea, the white of the Orange blossom and the rich ripe orange of the prickly pear with its full succulent leaves and of course, the Bird of Paradise plant which whilst not indigenous, can be found everywhere in the Algarve.

With the Easter holidays just gone and festival time beginning in earnest once more, the Algarvean countryside is flourishing and the region looks beautiful in its spring colours. May sees the return of bright sunny days and with them, a calendar of events ranging from festivals to concerts and sports to food and wine fairs. It is the ideal time for long walks in the Algarve countryside, for outdoor activities like golf and boules and for family fun on the gorgeous Algarve beaches.

The spring months are probably the best times to be holidaying in the Algarve. The weather is beautiful, not too hot and certainly not cold, reaching the mid 20’s with no sign of rain and there are festivals aplenty. These festivals are held to celebrate all that is great about the Algarve. There are festivals celebrating the weather, festivals celebrating food and wine, there are music and dance festivals and arts and crafts festivals. It seems that in the Algarve, at this time of year, even if there is nothing in particular to celebrate, they’ll have a festival anyway.

The warming temperatures not only bring on the flowers, they are an attraction for the Portuguese people themselves. Many city dwellers like to come out to the beaches at this time of year because they are not crowded with tourists and the heat levels are pleasant and comfortable. This lends an air of authenticity to the Algarve as many of the accents you’ll here around the place carry with them the warmth of Algarvean and Spanish tones.

As the long, lazy evenings stretch out before you, with the nights getting longer day by day, outside socialising in the balmy night air, is where you’ll want to be and there can be no substitute for sharing a relaxing drink at your villa or a romantic meal at an Algarve beachside restaurant, a world away from your busy working lives.

Book an Algarve Villa Holiday now for late spring / early summer and enjoy a week or two of warm sunshine, beautiful beaches, barbecues, bars and a wide range of activities – including golf, horse riding, watersports, shopping, tennis, boat trips and swimming. Holidays in the Algarve – there really is something for everyone here!

Algarve Villas – Truly Algarve offer a wide range of villas and apartments to rent throughout the Algarve including the areas of Vilamoura, Carvoeiro, Luz, Lagos, Albufeira, Quinta do Lago and Tavira.

Holidays in the Algarve - Algarve's Nightlife – Part 2

If you are planning a holiday to the Algarve this summer, you can rest assured that there is plenty to do in the evenings, for all ages and tastes! Whether you want to dance till the early hours at one of the Algarve's many bars and clubs or prefer a romantic drink with fabulous sea views, you will not be disappointed.

Here is part two of our Algarve holidays nightlife guide – covering Monte Gordo, Portimão, Praia da Rocha, Quarteira, Silves, Tavira and Vilamoura.

Monte Gordo Nightlife

Monte Gordo is not the place to go if you are looking for a lively nightlife. It is however, just perfect for families with young children and for those of the older generation whose partying days are over. Mostly flat it is ideal for those whose mobility is restricted and its lovely beach makes family visits very enjoyable. There are plenty of fine walks in the area and of course, if you want to ruin one, you are never far away from a decent golf course.

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Portimão Nightlife

Portimão is a dormitory town for those looking to enjoy the nightlife in nearby Praia da Rocha. As such, it has little in the way of nightlife of its own. There are a number of restaurants and bars in the centre of town but these aside it is a quiet almost retiring place, until summer that is, when Portimao holds its annual shrimp and sardine festival. This is when Portimão puts on its party hat and comes out to play, with live music and firework displays.

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Praia da Rocha Nightlife

For its nightlife Praia da Rocha is right up there with the best of them. If your idea of a great night out is thumping loud drum and base, house music and trance, bright lights and lots of drinking in bars then you’ll be in your element. If that’s not your cup of tea, then the area is probably best avoided.

There are so many bars and live acts to choose from it would take forever to list them so we won’t, but come the end of the night you’ll want to be safely ensconced in one of the many clubs. They, like any good club, don’t get going till well after midnight but then, many of them stay open til 6 am so you won’t have missed anything by going out later.

Themed and fun pubs are everywhere as are the ubiquitous Irish bars, most of which serve “real” Guinness (read into that what you will), and in general, everyone is out to have a good time. But, like everywhere, there are always some out to try to spoil things. Be aware that in Praia da Rocha there are pick pockets, drink spikers and beggars with hard luck stories, sometimes very plausible ones, that are out to part you from your hard earned.

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Quarteira Nightlife

Quarteira tends to defer to neighbouring Vilamoura for its nightlife but you will find a small selection of wine bars and taverns within the town centre, catering to the locals. Restaurants are where it’s at for Quarteira; there are plenty of relatively cheap fish restaurants, serving up the fresh catch of the day, together with eateries of French and Italian persuasion.

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Silves Nightlife

Silves, like Quarteira has very little in the way of nightlife, although you will find a number of bars that are open late into the evening. Silves prides itself on its restaurants and has a number of very good ones. Specialising in fish as you might expect from somewhere on the coast, there are also restaurants serving up a variety of different foods including pizzas and pastas.

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Tavira Nightlife

There are some lively bars in Tavira, though it really isn’t the place for parties through the night. Many a pleasant evening however, can be spent meandering through the narrow streets of the town or along the river side, enjoying a drink or a good meal in the many friendly bars and restaurants.

It is a quiet town but it still manages to support 2 nightclubs and a number of bars that stay open well into the night. There is a mix among them of Irish and local themed bars as well as an Australian and a typically English pub. Live music can be heard at many of these venues and there is even karaoke if you fancy yourself as a bit of a Sinatra, a Presley or Mercury.

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Vilamoura Nightlife

Vilamoura is busy year round. Favoured by golfers for its world famous courses, many of the bars, clubs and restaurants are aimed at this target market. As a result, the standards are very high. The Marina area is where you’ll find them, all the bars and restaurants are located here, and why not, the views are tremendous. Okay, you can’t see a golf course but if you’ve been looking at one all day then well, a change is as good as a rest as they say.

Checkout the choice of chilled lounge bars in Vilamoura, such as Vilamoura's popular Jazz Club situated on Prava do Cinema. You’ll find live, quality jazz here and a very chilled out vibe. There are some excellent clubs in Vilamoura, making it a great holiday resort choice for stag and hen parties and young groups with plenty to do during daylight hours too.

Vilamoura also boasts the largest club on the Algarve, namely “Kadoc”; it’s huge, with room for 7000 partygoers on 5 large dance floors. Open til 7 am this is a real all nighter. If you don’t have the energy for that but still fancy a good night out, try the Blackjack Club at the Vilamoura Casino. It attracts an older crowd and is a little more expensive but the standards are excellent throughout.

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Holidays on the Algarve Coast

Renting holiday villas and apartments in the Algarve, Portugal opens up a world of opportunity for high octane holiday sports and new and exciting experiences. Whether you choose to go as far west from Faro as you can along the A22, to rent a holiday villa in Sagres or stop short and rent an apartment in Lagos, Portimao or Ferragudo, your choice of adrenaline fuelled fun is limitless.

Even if you don’t fancy travelling that far and would rather stop off at Carvoeiro, Vale de Parra or Albufeira or the splendid golf resorts of Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo or Quinta do Lago, there is still plenty to do to get your heart racing and if you turn instead, to go east from Faro, you’ll come across the quiet and beautiful, if broken coastline of Tavira, with its many natural “ilhas” or islands. Here too you’ll find there’s plenty to keep the adventurous of mind, body and spirit happy.

There are also plenty of quieter, more couple and family orientated holiday destinations on the Algarve coast, with safe bathing and glorious sunbathing. In the Algarve you are truly spoiled for choice!

Algarve Villas – click here to browse our holiday villas and apartments in all of the major resorts including Carvoeiro, Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, Tavira, Sagres and Portimao!

Starting in Sagres in the west, the vehicle of choice is anything chunky and colourful, with a roof rack. Here you’ll not be held up by slow moving holidaymakers caravanning their way to the beach, rather you’ll be competing for road space with 4 wheel drives and powder blue or lemon yellow VW campervans. This is the land of surf boards and sex wax. Here they rise with the tides and sleep on the beaches, well, not quite but you get the idea.

If you have stopped a little earlier en route along the motorway, you may have chosen to stay in an Algarve villa or apartment, at one of the many resort locations around Lagos, Portimao or Ferragudo. Here the sporting activities available offer a slightly different but still exhilarating feel. In these popular Algarve holiday destinations, swap the surf board for a pair of water skis or perhaps the chance to ride on a jet ski. The waters, although calmer here, are still tidal and can be quite challenging at speed.

Those, for whom pumping adrenaline does not play a part when on holiday, will love it in the waters and along the coast around Carvoeiro, Algar Seco, Benagil and Marinha. Carvoeiro is very popular among couples, families and young adults. Its 4 golden sanded beaches are sheltered by sandstone cliffs with rocky outcrops at either end. The spectacular rock formations at Algar Seco, just 750 metres from the main square in Carvoeiro are a photo opportunity not to be missed. Benagil is home to a number of fishing boats and although the beach is not very large, it is very popular. This small bay of fine sand sees locals regularly putting on musical performances and inviting you to join them as they dance the night away. The beach cove at Marinha is not the easiest of beaches to access, but well worth the trip if you can. A lick of sand nestles below orange limestone cliffs and the calm, aquamarine waters are perfect for snorkelling

If you prefer to seek your thrills on land rather than in water, you should head for the stunning golfing resorts of Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Faro. The courses here are very impressive and quite demanding. Many of them have been designed with the help of famous golfers, among them; Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

Turning to the east out of the airport will send you in the direction of Tavira with its quieter coastal islands and sand bars. The emphasis here is more on rest and relaxation than on riotous revelry and krazy golf. Here you’ll find quiet, couple-centric beaches with unspoilt landscapes and towns and villages that pride themselves on the quality and quantity of their food as well as on their quality of life.

Algarve Villas – click here to browse our holiday villas and apartments in all of the major resorts including Carvoeiro, Vilamoura, Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago, Tavira, Sagres and Portimao!