Beaches of the Algarve

Portugal’s Algarve has a quite stunning selection of beaches. Catering for everyone from the couple just wanting to relax and enjoy each other’s company, to groups of friends looking for beach bars, water sports adventure and adrenalin to families who need quiet, clean safe beaches – they are all here a plenty. This is the appeal of the Algarve, with its vast coastline and varying conditions; it can accommodate and satisfy every kind of holidaymaker.

The waters are warm and generally very calm. There are one or two places where the currents pick up but these are well marked with flags. All of the main beaches, are manned by lifeguards throughout the summer months keeping them as safe as possible. Many of the Algarvian beaches hold the blue flag award. This means they have been recognised for their cleanliness, their safety, and their facilities. The Gold award for good water quality is also much in evidence in this part of the world.

Great Family Beaches

Praia Verde

Eastern Algarve is home to Praia Verde. Literally translated as Green Beach, it is named after the Pine tree forest that skirts the sand dunes. A number of beach bars and restaurants make this beach a firm favourite among family holidaymakers looking for a relaxing day out.

Praia da Arrifana

Situated to the north of Lagos along the EN 124, just before you get to Aljezur, this lovely little beach, with incredible views, can be reached via a very steep narrow road leading down from the coast road. With not much parking available, this delightful area is rarely busy and makes the ideal picnic hideaway.

Praia da Luz

A firm family favourite, with slide and splash pool and a zoo nearby the area has attracted many British expat families. The beach itself is lovely with many restaurants, bars and cafes making it ideal for families of all ages. Well served by a bank and shops, it is little wonder that once here, people rarely venture too far.

Meia Praia

Literally translated as 'half beach', this long ribbon of sand skirts one of the biggest bays in Europe offering protection from the rough seas and making it particularly popular with families. Dotted with snack bars and restaurants, it attracts windsurfers and kite surfers. Other sports on offer here are paragliding, sailing, volleyball and tennis.

Praia da Galé

An escape from the busy town of Albufeira, its nearest neighbour, this beach takes you away from all that and transplants you to an area of comparative serenity. There are a few bars restaurants and shops to cater for the necessities but generally this is a much more peaceful location. With no cliffs or steep inclines to negotiate, the beach is easy to reach and the perfect setting for a relaxing family holiday.

Praia do Vau

Praia do Vau is one of the western Algarve’s most popular beaches. Calm good quality waters and direct, easy access to the beach, where there are sun loungers and umbrellas for hire, make it ideal for families with young children. The beach is served by a number of all day restaurants but be aware, it can get pretty busy in high season. It is a beautiful place though, so don’t let that put you off.

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Quiet Secluded / Romantic Beaches

Praia da Ingrina

Voted the tenth most romantic beach in the world, this Algarve beach is a mix of sand and stone amid awe inspiring natural beauty. A wonderfully quiet location offering complete privacy this beach is ideal for couples in love. Restaurants and bars are dotted around but not so many as to be intrusive and they serve up some great locally caught seafood as well as the more popular international dishes.

Praia de São Rafael

A stunningly beautiful natural beach environment consisting of rocks and cliff faces, the soft white sand contrasts beautifully with the light blue of the sea and the waters are very clean. There is little in the way of entertainment here or food and drink facilities so it’s very much a “bring your own” beach. Easily reached on foot with good parking nearby, it’s ideal for picnics and because it’s so clean, you’ll want to keep it that way.

Praia do Barranco

This beach offers calm waters and basic facilities for visitors. Accessed via a 5 km stretch of dirt track, only the most determined sun worshippers will make it to this beach and that’s the way the divers like it. Its abundance of marine life attracts underwater explorers from all over and these guys will walk miles to swim with the fishes.

Praia Figueiras

Another beach that delights in its privacy, this one offers very limited facilities but absolutely hits the mark if you’re after peace and quiet. You’ll need to be quite determined again though; the car park is a good 15 minutes walk away.

Lagos Algarve – A Good All Round Holiday Destination

Truly® Algarve invite you to holiday on some of the most outstanding coastline to be found anywhere on the Algarve. The historic marina town of Lagos has some of the finest beaches in Portugal, which can be accessed easily from any of our holiday homes in the region.

Whatever type of accommodation you are looking for, whether it be a centrally located apartment or a town house within easy access of this lively and cosmopolitan resort, Lagos, and Truly® Algarve have something for you.

We offer spacious apartments and townhouses at the ‘Jardim da Meia Praia’ Resort in Lagos, close to one of the longest sandy beaches in the Algarve. This stunning resort is quietly located, just a few minutes from the centre of Lagos and the beautiful Meia Beach, it is family-friendly with lovely landscaped gardens. You can relax and sunbathe beside the pool with sun loungers and umbrellas or, if you’re feeling a little more energetic, there is a well kept tennis court for you to run around on. Younger guests are well catered for too, with a play area and kiddies pool.

As well as the beautifully appointed accommodation available at ‘Jardim da Meia Praia’ we offer a number of privately owned villas within close proximity of Lagos and the surrounding countryside.

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The wide range of facilities in Lagos, amply cater for a self-catering holiday and the facilities and amenities on hand, mean you won’t have to travel too far for sporting pursuits either. There are a number of world-class golf courses close by, as well as horse riding, tennis, diving, deep-sea fishing, and sailing. All this is close to the stunning Meia Praia beach, which is filled with leisure activities for young and old alike. The town boasts great shopping and there’s even a cinema complex ready for you, if you ever tire of the sun.

Lagos, its marina, the old and new towns combine to present a picturesque resort that features some magnificent beaches, stunning coastal scenery with rugged cliff faces and fascinating old villages. As an area, it is fairly steeped in history and it doesn’t take much to uncover some of this areas fascinating stories. Statues in the town commemorate brave sailors and Kings who sailed from here to victory or famous defeat in years gone by.

There is a peaceful, relaxed ambience to Lagos now, an atmosphere and a quiet charm that is rarely found in an area as popular as this. Locals and visitors like nothing better than to sit at open-air café tables and watch the world go by. And with the great choice of restaurants, bars and cafes in the area, there is plenty of opportunity for you to do exactly that.

Vilamoura – A Truly ® Great Algarve Holiday Destination

A short 15 to 20 minute drive from Faro International Airport and you will have arrived in Vilamoura, the ideal Algarve holiday destination in which you and your family or group of friends can relax, kick back and start to fully enjoy your break.
Vilamoura is one of the most stylish and cosmopolitan resorts in Europe and the list of entertainments on offer here is staggering. Designer shops and boutiques, cool cafes and bars and trendy restaurants are strung out over the fashionable marina, which is flanked by two beautiful golden sanded, blue flagged beaches.

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Synonymous with the sport of golf and world famous for its challenging courses with breathtaking coastal views, Vilamoura in the Algarve has six high quality rounds to offer, all of which are within fairly easy reach of the centre.

If golf is not your thing and you prefer splashing about in the water, you are spoiled for choice here too. Almost every conceivable water sport is on offer, from windsurfing to water skiing and jet skiing to paragliding, to the more gentile, less energetic, pedalos and canoeing. There is little or no tide in this part of the Algarve, so there are no real breakers, making it ideal for lazing about on lilos and splashing around with the kids.

If you’ve played enough golf and had your fill of water sports you can choose from a wide range of other activities that will add to your Algarve holiday experience. These include playing tennis, riding horses, picnicking in the countryside, placing bets at the local casino, watching a movie at the multiplex or keeping your eye in, at the local green lawn bowling club or shooting gallery.

The day done and your mind turns to what there is to do of an evening. Again you are quite literally, spoiled for choice for nightlife in Vilamoura. World-class restaurants vie for your attention alongside glitzy bars and nightclubs. You can party here till the early hours if you want, safe in the knowledge that you don’t have to be up bright and early the next morning, unless you’re teeing off at 07.00 that is.

Whatever you are looking for in a summer holiday destination, whether you are holidaying as a couple, a family with children or as a group, whether you want to get active or simply laze around, Vilamoura has something for everyone. It’s hot sunny weather, great beaches, wide variety of activities and varied evening entertainment guarantee a holiday to remember.

Food and wine in Portugal’s Algarve

Portugal’s Algarve, famed for its sun, sea, sporting activities and nightlife, is perhaps less well known for its gastronomy. But scratch beneath the surface, venture beyond the familiarity of the international chain restaurant with its many different takes on steak and chips and you’ll discover a world of traditional Portuguese fare that will live long in the memory.

By European standards, the traditional Portuguese/Algarvian restaurant tends to be comparatively cheap but this is in no way, a reflection on the quality of the food being served. The Portuguese love their food and are delighted to share their passion with any visitor that shows more than a passing interest.

Take a trip inland, away from the tourist spots and you will find lovely bistro style restaurants, frequented by locals. The food will be excellent and extremely good value and the atmosphere, authentic. If you happen on a local eatery around lunchtime, order the “dish of the day”. This is likely to be served with a glass of good local beer or wine thrown in, adding to the warmth and enjoyment of the meal.

Breakfasts in this part of the world are generally speaking, fairly non-descript affairs of breads, sweet spreads and strong coffee to help kick start the day. Lunch on the other hand, is taken far more seriously. Starting around noon, this relaxed grazing can sometimes go on for two hours or more. Not surprising then, that dinner is served that bit later, generally around eight in the evening.

Algarve cooking – simple, honest, fresh food with spiced flavours

Portuguese/Algarvian cookery, has assimilated, the tastes, flavours and cooking styles introduced to the area by travellers, explorers and invaders throughout its history. Garlic, onion, fig, almond and cinnamon, paprika, curry spice and piri-piri have all been welcomed and ably incorporated into a style of cookery that is distinctly Portuguese/Algarve.

Their love of all things meat and fish is reflected in a typical menu. Three course meals will normally consist of soup to start, a warming caldo verde or cold gaspacho, followed by fresh grilled sea bass or sole along with sardines, particularly in the summer months. For the carnivores among you, chicken, lamb and suckling pig are firm favourites. These tend to be arranged on skewers along with the many varieties of spiced sausage available. You can look forward to sampling some lovely dishes during your Algarve holiday, many of them, with meat, fish and shellfish all served together. And if you have a sweet tooth, local delights include the traditional Algarve almond cake and custard tarts – both wonderful treats to finish your meal.

Wine in Portugal’s Algarve

Portugal’s Algarve has only recently come into it’s own and been recognised as a true wine producing region. 1980 saw the area split into four DOC (Controlled Denomination of Origin) regions; Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão and Tavira. These regions were designated as growing areas and subject to the rules and regulations imposed by government and local authorities, encouraging the production of good quality wines. As with the wines of Portugal, Algarvian wines come in four varieties:

Red wine - VinhoTinto
White wine - Vinho Branco
Verde wine - Vinho Green
Rosé wine - Vinho Rosé

The reds and whites tend to be rather full bodied with a fairly high alcoholic content and low acidity, whilst the greens and sparkling rosé’s are that bit lighter, making them the ideal accompaniment to your relaxing holiday feast.

Self-Catering Holidays in the Algarve - Family Holiday Destinations Don’t Come Much Better Than This!!

A self-catering holiday allows you and your family the flexibility, freedom and privacy to do exactly what you want, when you want to do it. There are no itineraries, aside from those you set for yourselves. You can eat what you like, when you like and sunbathe from dawn till dusk if that’s your thing. Or you might decide to take yourselves off on a fishing trip or spend the day cycling together, it’s entirely up to you.

The Algarve is the perfect setting for a truly relaxing yet fulfilling family holiday. Its beaches are among the safest and cleanest in the world, and there is a wide range of water sports and activities available, which make it ideal for older children. The fine selection of restaurants and bars make for a great nightlife too and there is a wide range of sporting activities here including horse riding, tennis, golf, fishing and diving.

If you decide to take a look around the place, you’ll uncover a wealth of quite fascinating little villages, interesting towns and stunning verdant countryside. The inland mountain range is a must see as are the breathtaking coastal views. Sixty plus miles of coastline and beaches stretch from Sagres, famed amongst surfers for its wild and windy conditions, to the warming, calming seas off Tavira in the East. And nestled in the middle is the Ria Formosa National Park, a beautiful and protected nature reserve, home to an array of bird and plant life.

Add to all of this, the great, year round weather with up to 330 days of glorious sunshine and it is easy to see why Portugal’s Algarve, with its long sunny days and warm balmy evenings, rates as one of the finest family holiday destinations in Europe.

At Truly® Algarve we are delighted to be able to offer you your choice of quality family holiday accommodation. We have a wide range of very comfortable, family sized villas, most with their own private swimming pools, situated throughout the Algarve and can be certain of finding the ideal location for you, whatever your holidaying requirements. Algarve Villas - click here to search

Holidays in the Algarve

For many years now the Algarve has been attracting visitors from all over the globe. Some come for the golf, some for the peace and quiet and some for the nightlife but the majority choose a holiday in the Algarve for the beaches and beautiful sunny weather. For nearly 330 days of the year, there is sunshine here. Not the unbearably stifling heat of the Mediterranean but a far more pleasant and comfortable warmth, delivered courtesy of the Algarve’s Atlantic coastal position.

The geography of the Algarve makes it quite easy to split the region into three distinct, if not separate parts. Western, Central and Eastern Algarve each have their own special flavour and attract visitors for very different reasons.

Western Algarve

To the west of the Algarve, where the waters of the Med mix with those of the North Atlantic, the sea and winds combine to create the perfect surf. Sailing, wind surfing, water skiing, scuba and of course surfing are hugely popular here as people flock to take advantage of the rolling waves.

Onland are superb beachside restaurants, which set the scene for some fine seafood dining. Daily catches mean your fish dish is as fresh as it can be and the views from your table are a delight. The verdant rolling hills and beautiful countyside lend to long and picturesque walks with quaint old towns and villages providing photo opportunities aplenty. And for golf enthusiasts there are an abundance of world-class courses to play on.

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Central Algarve

More developed than the West, Central Algarve is synonymous with family holiday fun. Virtually every holidaying, sporty, fun thing to do, is available right here. Peddaloes and sun worshippers line the beaches and swimmers delight in the warmer, calmer, Mediterranean waters.

This is not the place for surfing or getting radical. This is the place simply to relax, soak up the sun, have a drink or two at a beachside bar, enjoy great seafood dining and have fun, safe in the knowledge that the kids will never complain of being bored. If on the other hand, you tire of them, there are plenty of good golf courses here too.

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Eastern Algarve

Less family orientated than Central Algarve and less adrenalin fuelled than the West, Eastern Algarve is the perfect destination for couples. Romantic trips away for some quality one-to-one time are the order of the day here. Lazy days and balmy evenings are the perfect antidote to today’s hectic modern lifestyles and Eastern Algarve gives you the opportunity to relax and get away from it all.
Nightlife, leisure and sporting activities can still all be found in the East but they don’t scream at you to get involved. If you are looking for an authentic Algarve experience, this is the place to go; with its historic towns to explore, unspoilt beaches and superb restaurants – you will find here everything you need for a peaceful, tranquil holiday.

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Holidays in Carvoeiro – An Increasingly Popular Holiday Resort

Thanks to the recent extension of the A22 motorway, the already popular resort destination of Carvoeiro is now even easier to access and becoming increasingly popular, as an Algarve holiday destination. Now within 1 hour of Faro International Airport, this once charming old fishing village has moved with the times and meets the demands of its increased patronage, whilst maintaining some of the rustic appeal from its bygone past.

In common with much of the rest of the Algarve, Carvoeiro has seized upon the popularity of Golf in the region, providing three good quality courses at Vale de Milho, Quinta do Gramacho and Vale de Pinta. Also within a half hour drive, are the world famous Golden Triangle courses, making it is easy to see why this location is such a Mecca for golf fanatics.

The good news is that ‘golf widows’ have not been forgotten here either. There is plenty to do for all ages including boat trips, horse riding, tennis, swimming and walking. Two water parks lend to the appeal for the youngsters and some of the safest Algarvian beaches cater for the sun worshippers. There are also a varied selection of bars, restaurants and nightclubs providing food and entertainment into the early hours.

Where to stay?

If you are looking for a family holiday in Carvoeiro, the Rocha Brava resort is an excellent place to stay. With a great beach, shops, swimming pools, dining and bars all within walking distance, there is everything you need here for a truly relaxing holiday. In fact there is no need to drive, unless you want to explore some of the other picturesque towns in central Algarve.

Those looking for a quiet base, still within walking distance of all Carvoeiro’s facilities will like the peace and tranquillity of Areias dos Moinhos. There are some great beaches within fifteen minutes walk, where you can relax, sunbathe or take a boat trip. Also available is scuba diving, deep sea fishing, sailing and windsurfing.

Colina Branca is a livelier base within walking distance of the village centre and central beach. Water-sports, tennis, bars, restaurants and beautiful scenery are all on your doorstep here and this is a great location for families, couples and groups of friends – as it caters for all interests.

If you want some help choosing your 2010 Algarve Holiday – get in touch. We can advise on the best location for you and your group to ensure you have a break to remember!