The Algarve has been a fail-safe holiday choice since the dawn of the package deal in the 60’s, and has more than enough to offer to give Spain and her islands a run for their euros. Portugal’s southernmost strip of seemingly endless sandy coastline knows how to keep holidaymakers happy, without giving in to endless high-rise hotels and sprawling beach resorts. Traditional fishing villages, crumbling castles and sleepy coves sit happily alongside the waterparks and watersports, meaning that you don’t have to compromise on that unspoilt ‘away from it all’ feeling to have a fun and exciting holiday.
The Algarve is the proud owner of over 150 beaches, so it’s nailed on that there’ll be a sandy spot to suit you. Even in the Algarve’s most popular holiday spot of albufeira you won’t have to fight for sand space — it has a 30km golden coastline divided up into 25 brilliant beaches, from the lively ones with watersports to the quiet sheltered coves. Praia da falesia, backed by ochre cliffs, is one of albufeira’s prettiest, while praia de cacela velha, near manta rota, is separated from the mainland by an estuary for real seclusion.
There’s literally a resort for everyone in the Algarve — even lively albufeira mixes all the trappings of a lively, fun holiday with culture and history in its cobbled old town. Those who like a more relaxed pace could look at the local fishing villages of olhos d’agua and praia da gale, both offering quieter bases within striking distance of all the attractions of albufeira. If it’s a more grown up holiday that you want, where nightlife goes hand in hand with honey-coloured sands, sao joao is a cool classy customer on the coast that knows how to party. For active holidays, alvor has a great lagoon for canoeing, if you fancy a more relaxed change from the jet skis and pedalos, plus plenty of adventures to be had on dry land, while sophisticated silves boasts cobbles, cathedrals and a castle for culture vultures to discover.
One of the Algarve’s most special qualities is that even the biggest resorts still manage to cling on to their traditional roots, despite drawing in the tourist crowds for decades. Step off the beach in albufeira and you can wander the whitewashed old town with its tranquil churches and lively town squares. In lagos you can step back in time to discover portugal’s maritime past at the old harbour, with forts, castles, museums and even the site of europe’s first slave market all representing this popular resort’s chequered history.
The Algarve has so much to offer families, making it a brilliant holiday spot for those with kids to keep occupied with lots of fun in the sun. Zoo marine— a mix of dolphin shows, aquarium, waterpark, fun fair and other animals — is the Algarve’s number one family attraction, with the waterparks splashing down in second place. Dolphin and whale watching cruises are popular and safe out-at-sea excursions, while kids are kept occupied after dark with family-friendly fun pubs in the main resorts.
Golf is a big deal on the Algarve, so you’ll be in a perfect position if your holiday has to include a round or two on the green. There are plenty of seaside courses to choose from, including the famous henry cotton championship course at penina. Our top picks include the monte rei course for its mountain views, san lorenzo which is nestled within a bird sanctuary, and sir nick faldo’s oceanico in amendoeira.
If all this has left you bursting to book your next holiday to the Algarve, you’re in luck — we’ve got fantastic deals and exclusive to suite every budget. Whenever you want to go, we’ll have a best-buy deal for you, so bag your Algarve holiday bargain today!