Algarve

Mainland Portugal's most southerly province is bordered by the Atlantic on two sides, by the mountains in the N and Spain in the E. It extends for over 80 miles from the Spanish border westwards to Cape St Vincent, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. Formerly reliant on agriculture and fishing, the region is now dominated by tourism which has given rise to extensive construction of hotels and self-catering properties centred on the many good beaches along the coast and also around the plentiful golf courses. These purpose-built resorts rub shoulders with working fishing ports, while inland spa resorts and historic towns can be found. Faro is the provincial capital, a traditional port with a historic old town. The airport lies 6km to the West.

A favourite for all ages, the Algarve has numerous resorts, spectacular scenery and attractions for all tastes whether it be lazy days by the pool or sunset walks on the many pristine beaches. An exciting day out to water parks and zoos or leisurely strolls around picture perfect towns full of history and tradition is another option for a day in the Algarve.

The Algarve has, for years, been one of the more popular holiday destinations in not only Portugal, but in all the world. This is with good reason; good weather all year round, very little rain and warm temperatures even during the winter months make the Algarve the place to be. The scenery is simply second to none, and with the beauty of the mountains and the history of the towns, it offers a wealth of interest.

The Algarve is well known in the world of golf and boasts over 30 golf courses of extremely high standards which makes it very popular with avid golfers. The comfortable winter sun means there’s always chance to play a round or two, even when it's not an option elsewhere. If you are a golfer, you absolutely must hit the links in the Algarve at least once!

ALBUFUERIA: Albufeira, Portugal's most popular holiday resort, has been described as a stretch of 'holiday-land suburbia', spreading from the old town both east and west along the coast, its sandy coves and golden beaches drawing an assorted crowd from retired couples to wild teens, and plenty of families with young children. Satellite resort developments provide every imaginable type and grade of accommodation. Everyone finds something to enjoy in this sprawling, low-rise holiday destination, which retains its old world charm in narrow alleyways behind the new hip and happening "Strip". The Strip, to the east of town, runs from the Montechoro Hotel down to the Praia da Oura, lined with dozens of cafés, restaurants and bars that keep pumping from breakfast time to the small hours. On the long stretch of beach below Albufeira's central square, accessed through a tunnel, craggy   fishermen mend their nets, unperturbed by the languishing topless sunbathers around them.

TAVIRA: The holiday resort destination of Tavira, to the east of Faro in the south-east corner of Portugal, is one of the most photogenic towns along the Algarve coast, sporting white-washed houses topped with decorative chimneys and pyramid shaped Roman-tiled roofs, set among orange, fig and almond trees. The charming town, on the Gilao River, dates back to around 2,000 BC, and also boasts a Moorish Castle, with some splendid views from the ramparts. Tavira flanks both banks of the river, which are linked by a Roman bridge. Along the coast and on an island opposite the town (reached by ferry) are some beautiful isolated sandy beaches, well worth visiting while on holiday in the area

ALVOR: Originally a Roman settlement, Alvor was a small fishing village before tourism discovered it in the 1970s and it has remained generally less commercialised than many other resorts in the region. The narrow streets of the old village are lined with traditional fishermen's cottages alongside a multitude of bars and restaurants. Wide appeal, including golfers and water-sports enthusiasts. Tends to attract people seeking a quieter beach or pool holiday. Accommodation is mainly self-contained, self-catering complexes, but also 4- and 5-star hotels including one golfing venue. The main Alvor Beach (sometimes known as Torralta) runs for 4½ mls; it is wide, sandy, straight, backed by dunes and has plenty of facilities. Tres Irmaos Beach, farther east, is mostly backed by cliffs with huge rocks scattered along the shoreline; it has basic facilities like sunbeds, parasols, restaurant and bar.

VILAMOURA: Vilamoura, an ambitious purpose-built holiday resort on the central Algarve coast,

is one of Europe's largest privately developed tourist havens, offering holidaymakers every form of sport, entertainment and amenity imaginable. The resort is built around a magnificent 1,000-berth marina, alongside which are preserved Roman ruins that were unearthed during construction back in the 1960s. The southern border of the Vilamoura holiday resort is host to a long, sandy beach, which is lined with quality hotels, self-catering apartments, numerous restaurants and shops, and a host of leisure facilities including a casino. Further inland, villas nestle in lush gardens between the golf courses. Vilamoura, which means 'Village of the Moors', is designed for pure pleasure for everyone, of any age or orientation. Nature has enhanced the resort with a temperate sunny climate and beautifully landscaped surroundings. Development has been environmentally friendly and tasteful

Armacao de Pera: The old part of the town still retains a little of its original charm, although the entire area has grown at a tremendous rate over the past few years. Most of the newer development (in resort centre) consists of unappealing, densely packed tower blocks, many of which are residential. On the seaside, more care has been taken, with mostly low-rise development. There is a vast difference between the town centre and Alporchinhos (1½ mls west), where there are more upmarket, spread-out low-rise properties surrounded by lush vegetation and pine woods. The main Armacao de Pera Beach is long, wide and sandy, backed by cliffs and pebbly at water level. It has dangerous currents and fairly steep access in parts; lifeguards are on duty in high season. Plentiful general facilities but few water sports. Two other public beaches, smaller and cove-like, including at Alporchinhos, with steep access and few facilities.

The old part of town has one or two historic buildings and there is a 13th-century chapel in Alporchinhos. Entertainment: Daytime - Water park 3 miles to the west. Nightlife: Plenty of nightclubs and bars. The main hotels generally have some form of entertainment open to the public. Restaurants: Extensive choice of traditional and international cuisine available; most restaurants are in the old town. Majority serve fish and shellfish but there are also Italian, Indian and Chinese options.

Praia da Rocha:  The second-largest resort in the Algarve, originally developed by wealthy Portuguese who settled here in the early 1900s. The 1-ml-long promenade runs along the top of the cliff and is lined with hotels, apartment blocks, bars and restaurants etc. The town itself lacks any real traditional charm owing to the huge amount of modern development. Adjacent is the town of Portimao with its port and harbour. To the east of Portimao is Ferragudo, a commercial fishing village. The small resort of Vau is an extension of Praia da Rocha to the West. Huge, weirdly shaped rocks punctuate the large, wide, gently shelving, sandy Praia da Rocha Beach. It is well maintained and has lifeguards. The smaller, coved beach of Tres Castelos is separated from Praia da Rocha by cliffs. The whole area of beaches along this part of the coast is backed by cliffs.

Entertainment: Daytime: a sports and health club (open to the public); horse riding at Torralta and Belmont; boat trips to neighbouring beaches; water park 6 mls distant; golf at "Alto Golf" (priority to residents), and Palmares golf (approximately 11 mls away); various clifftop walks; water sports; day trips into Portimao.
Nightlife: abundance of bars, most with some form of entertainment; casino in Hotel Algarve; nightclubs and regular entertainment in the various hotels. Restaurants: Anything from a steak to a pizza. Portimao for sardines and shellfish.

Weather

Mediterranean type climate which is tempered by the Atlantic. The coast has mild winters, the north and central

areas are much colder. Winter is the wet season throughout the country although autumn rainfall in the north

can be heavy. Snow is rare at sea level but more frequent inland and in higher areas in the north. The south is

the sunniest, driest and warmest area

Clothing : Light to mediumweights with rainwear in winter and colder seasons

Health

Reciprocal Health : Participant of the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC scheme) which allows visitors on

short-term stays to other member countries, to use the public health care sector for free, or reduced-cost

medical treatment and emergency care.

For full details on eligibility and how to apply for a card visit the www.nhs.uk

Please note: The EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance. It will not cover any private medical healthcare

or the cost of things such as mountain rescue in ski resorts, repatriation to the UK, lost or stolen property etc.

Compulsory vaccinations : Yellow fever certificate for Azores and Madeira regions only if arriving from infected

areas. However, no certificate is required from passengers in transit at Funchal, Porto Santo and Santa Maria.

Exempt infants under 1 year.

Recommended immunisations : None.

Consider: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B

Risks : None.

UK Tourist Office
ICEP Portuguese Trade & Tourism Office
Portuguese Embassy
11 Belgrave Square
London, SW1X 8PP
tel: +44 20 7201 6666
fax: +44 20 7201 6633
e-mail: info@visitportugal.com
website: www.visitportugal.com