Travel Reports

Tourism in the Algarve

In recent years, more and more tourists have discovered the numerous recreational offerings, the large variety of sports possibilities, the cultural and architectural diversity and the beauty of the landscape in the Algarve, thereby making this area increasingly their first choice destination in Europe for short-term and long-term vacations.

The growing attractiveness of the Algarve region as a holiday destination has made it the second major traveling region in Portugal after the Lisbon area, strengthening the role of tourism market as one of the most profitable economic branches in Portugal.

The Algarve region offers vacation possibilities for every taste and at any price rate, be it family holidays, group vacation, couple holidays of holidays for individuals. The welldeveloped tourist centres in the West Algarve region such as Lagos have a very long tradition as a holiday destination and a very well developed touristic infrastructure. Here the holidaymaker can practice all kinds of water sports he can imagine such as surfing, wind surfing, kite surfing, diving, boat paragliding, water skiing, sailing, canoing, kayaking. The passionate golfer can choose among various golf courses in the West Algarve region. Tennis and badminton can be practised in many of the hotel-owned tennis courts and badminton courts. The large variety of sports possibilities and recreational offerings also includes other holidays activities such as wandering, mountain biking, bike riding, horse riding, sky diving, motor gliding and soaring. The broad and mile-long beaches around Lagos such as Meia Praia beach and invite to swimming, sunbathing and relaxing in one of the numerous beach restaurants and beach cafes. The traveller might as well explore the unique landscape of the wild romantic rocky coast with its beaches and bays interrupted by protruding cliffs and rocks (hence the name „Rock algarve“ or „Barlavento“ (West)) or enjoy the crystal clear turquoise water and beautiful sunsets and sunrises.

The old town of Lagos with its historic monuments is always worth visiting to learn more about the eventful past of this harbour town. The city gained historic importance as starting point for the Portuguese voyages of discovery during the 15th century. After a sightseeing trip the tourist can relax while having a coffee or a snack in of the numerous bars and cafes. The traveller might as well visit Lagos by night and explore the innumerable bars, cafes and restaurants and taste local specialties such as moscatel wine or enjoy the nightlife in Lagos. The visitor can also start day trips to close destinations and visit Cabo de São Vicente, the southernmost point of Portugal, or visit one of the nearby wild romantic Portuguese villages, spending the day strolling through the narrow streets and contorted alleys with its white-washed houses.

In contrast to the touristically well-developed West Algarve region, the East Algarve region has stayed largely untouched by the touristic development in the southern coast of Portugal. It offers the kind of isolation seldom found in the Algarve area and is the perfect vacation place for travellers seeking calmness and privacy during holidays. The nature park „Ria Formosa“ near Faro was declared a nature park in 1987 and impresses the visitor with its undeveloped landscape and unique wildlife. This labyrinth of lagoons, lakes, rivers, islands and canals was created by the tides of the Atlantic Ocean. The Ria Formosa wetlands are home to many different migratory birds. Here ecotourism is practiced in an environmental friendly way. Tourists can explore the natural reserve by foot or by bike on narrow roads and paths and enjoy the almost untouched Mediterranean flora and fauna seldom found in the Algarve region. Besides the possibility of experiencing nature in its purest form, the long sandy beaches offer a large variety of water sports activities as well and invite the holidaymaker to sailing, wind surfing, kite surfing and swimming. In contrast to the characteristic rocky coastline of the West Algarve region the East Algarve coast fascinates the visitor with its long sandy beaches (hence the name „Sand Algarve“ or „Sotavento“ (East)).

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