Think of a holiday paradise that has it all, from pristine sandy beaches, and an idyllic year round climate, through to a rich spread of tempting towns and villages, with boat fresh seafood to top it off. Think then of the Algarve, the region of southern Portugal that boasts of all this and much, much more.
This year round holiday escape is everything you want it to be with a bespoke break there with the Voyageurs Collection an ideal way of enjoying the Algarve to the full. As a travel writer I head to the Algarve every year. Here are 10 reasons I reckon the Algarve stacks up for the ideal holiday for you too…
The Weather – Portugal’s southern Algarve region offers one of the most appealing climates anywhere in Europe. Winters tend to be mild and sunny, while in the sultry summer there are often Atlantic breezes to take the edge off the heat. Spring and autumn are great times to visit too when the summer crowds ease and hiking is more comfortable. In short there really is no bad time to visit one of Europe’s most tempting holiday playgrounds.
Beaches – The superb beaches are what really first brought tourism to the Algarve in the 1960s. The region quite simply boasts some of the finest beaches in Europe. In general the beaches east of Faro tend to be wide, flat stretches of sand backed up by dunes, the best of which lie on their own islands like the Ilha de Tavira. To the west of Faro the beaches are often fringed by steep cliffs and many are broken up into pretty little coves – if you don’t like one you can just swim to the next!
Seafood – Boat fresh seafood is one of the Algarve’s star attractions. The local clams from the Rio Formosa are delicious, with Atlantic tuna superb and excellent value. A local favourite are sardines, simply grilled and served whole. Throughout the Algarve you’ll smell the aroma of freshly cooked seafood. The most authentic seafood restaurants are dotted around Faro and Olhao.
Rio Formosa National Park – This epic nature reserve swirls around the Algarve, sweeping all the way east from Faro towards the Spanish border. It is made up of wildlife rich wetlands, brackish waterways and dazzlingly white sand islands, which keep out the rougher Atlantic surf. Taking a boat tour through the channels, canals and islands is the best way to appreciate its breathtaking beauty.
Carvoeiro – This former fishing village is a great introduction to the Algarve. You are straight into the land of sweeping sandy beaches, big blue skies and tempting ocean. It’s a great base too for exploring the region. Unlike some of the bigger resorts it has retained a bit of its old fishing village atmosphere too, further enhancing a stay here.
Olhao – The seafood capital of the Algarve is home to an atmospheric waterfront fish market where the best of the treasures of the deep are haggled over in a colourful scene every morning. This is the place for those local striking Instagram photos. With the Voyageurs Collection you will have your own chef to shepherd you around, explain what all the myriad fish and shellfish are, then source ingredients so that you can cook lunch together afterwards.
Tavira – Arguably the prettiest little town in the Algarve lies just under 20 miles east of Faro. This picturesque oasis is blessed with a rich collage of whitewashed buildings and sometimes feels like it has more churches than inhabitants. It reclines on both banks of the sleepy Gilao River. During the Golden Age of the Portuguese Empire goods and exotic spices poured into Tavira from all over the world, but today its old merchant houses and warehouses are enjoying a stately retirement. A highlight is crossing the old Roman bridge that stands proudly in the town centre. The Voyageurs Collection offer private a la carte trips to Tavira.
Faro – The only city in the Algarve is a bit of a secret as most tourists just bypass it going to and from its airport. With the Voyageurs Collection you have a hire car so park up in the large free car parks on the edge of the centre and explore. The cobbled old town is a historic gem with a hulking cathedral its highlight. The working harbour is ideal for a little stroll around and there are plenty of shops, cafes, bars and restaurants in hand too.
Cape St Vincent – This dramatic otherworldly escape sits right on the southwestern extremity of Europe. The continent literally drops off the sheer cliffs here into the tumultuous open Atlantic. A lighthouse stands proud against the raging elements and it’s a great place to enjoy a lingering sunset, which sees the sun disappear into the ocean in an explosion of fiery reds and deep oranges. Standing here on the very edge of Europe as the ghosts of the Phoenicians and the Romans swirl around is an experience that will linger with you for a long time. This optional hiking excursion here with the Voyageurs Collection is highly recommended.
Wine – Great wine can make a trip. Traditionally the wine drunk in the Algarve has come from Portugal’s Douro Valley or tended to be the light slightly fizzy Vinho Verde young white wines from further north too. Many wine connoisseurs reckoned the Algarve’s heat and soils were not ideal for wine cultivation, but in recent years a new breed of Algarve wines have emerged, both red and whites. The reds in particular are increasingly impressive, so make sure to try some when you are here. Take a bottle home for a dinner party – you can impress your friends with a wine from one of Europe’s unsung wine regions.
This post comes in association with the Voyageurs Collection, who have a wide range of Portugal itineraries.
