Algarve is one of the most picturesque Portuguese provinces. This region is located in the south of the country. The area of its territory is about five thousand square kilometers, the population is more than four hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants.
In the 60s of the XX century, this region became a popular tourist area. It is especially famous for its golf courses: there are more than thirty of them, all of them are simply magnificent. The region has become a favorite destination for golfers. This area is one of the best golf resorts in the world.
But not only connoisseurs of this noble game love to spend time in the resorts of the famous Portuguese region. Even if you have nothing to do with golf, the rest here will give you great pleasure. Three hundred cloudless days a year, one hundred and fifty kilometers of amazing beaches - you must admit that it all sounds very, very tempting! Many beach lovers from around the world visit the resorts of this picturesque area every year.
If you decide to spend your vacation in this famous Portuguese province, then you need to decide where to stay. Let's take a look at the options.
Resorts of the region
A strip of wonderful sandy beaches stretches almost continuously through the region's twelve resorts. Here are the names of these settlements:
- Armasan de Pera;
- Lagos;
- Vilamoura;
- Alvor;
- Vale do Lobo;
- Monte Gordo;
- Quarteira;
- Quinta do Lago;
- Albufeira;
- Carvoeiro;
- Faro;
- Portimão.
These resorts are among the most popular tourist destinations in the province. Many travelers choose these settlements to stay. In the following sections of the article, we will talk about each of them in detail.
Faro
There is a seaport in this city. Faro resort is located in the central part of the province. Among the main local attractions are the 13th century temple and the 18th century episcopal palace. It is also necessary to mention the archaeological museum, located in the building of the 16th century monastery. One of the most unusual sights of the resort is the chapel built from the bones of one thousand two hundred monks. There are a number of other tourist places and attractions in the city.
But historical monuments are not all that the city can offer to tourists. The resort has water parks, health centers, night discos … In a word, everyone will find here something that will be interesting to him.
The city is home to the annual student festival. There are also motorcyclists' competitions.
Albufeira
Albufeira is one of the most popular Portuguese resorts. As you can easily guess, it is almost always crowded here. The resort is considered the most bustling city in the region. Thus, if you dream of peace and tranquility, you better opt for some other resort in the province. If you want life around you to be in full swing, if you want to continuously feel yourself in the center of events, then this resort is simply created for you.
What attracts such a large number of tourists here? First of all, these are wonderful beaches. There are several of them here. The beaches are separated by high cliffs.
The resort is replete with entertainment venues and nightlife, making it a great destination for young people. Shopaholics will also like it here: there are many good shops in the resort.
Portimão
Portimão is a relatively small port city. Its population is thirty-six thousand people, but in the summer the number of people living here increases many times (due to the influx of tourists).
This ancient city will appeal to lovers of historical monuments: there are a lot of these sights here. Many of these ancient buildings were significantly damaged during a strong earthquake that struck here in the mid-1850s. For example, the temple of the 15th century suffered so much that later it had to actually be rebuilt. But small fragments of the ancient building have survived.
At the resort, you can do more than just sightseeing. It will appeal to shoppers and water sports lovers. The resort's waterfront is full of bars and restaurants.
Carvoeiro
Carvoeiro is one of the most picturesque resorts in the region. Someone comes here for a beach holiday, and someone - for the bullfight, which you can watch here.
The choice of hotels here is great, there is also a huge number of restaurants. Golf fans love to come here: the choice of golf clubs here is also quite large.
Armação de Pera
Armação de Pera is one of the oldest settlements in the region. Here, in a strange way, the tranquility of a fishing village and the liveliness of a popular tourist center are combined. If this combination attracts you, then this resort is the perfect vacation spot for you.
Here you can see an old fort built by the locals in the past centuries to protect them from pirates. There are other attractions on the territory of the resort.
But the most visited place in this settlement is the beach. Warm sea waves here run into the clean, soft sand, which is a pleasure to sunbathe.
Vilamoura
This is a luxury resort, and one of the largest in Europe. The city of Vilamoura was built relatively recently. There are no ancient temples or narrow old streets. This settlement was originally built as a resort, and the builders were counting on vacationers with a solid income. If you want to relax in the Portuguese province as economically as possible, you should opt for some other local resort.
However, there is still one historical attraction here - these are the ancient Roman baths (or rather, their ruins). There is also a museum in the city, the exposition of which is completely devoted to history.
Quarteira
The airport is located fifteen kilometers from this small town, so getting here is not at all difficult. If you decide to stay here, then in fact, in a couple of minutes after landing, you will find yourself in your hotel.
There is everything that usually attracts tourists to the resorts of the famous Portuguese region: wonderful beaches, nightclubs, magnificent golf courses, shops … Once a week, a fair is held in Quarteira. One of the most popular places in the city is the fish market. It is located right by the ocean.
Vale do Lobo
Vale do Lobo is one of the most popular resorts in the southern part of the country. Its history began only in the 60s of the XX century. It is actually located in the middle of a coniferous forest, so the air here is simply magnificent: the aromas of pine needles and the sea are mixed in it …
There are many expensive hotels on the territory of the resort. Celebrities like to relax here. The resort is perfect for families with children: a special children's town has been built here. But the main thing that attracts tourists here is the amazing beach.
Quinta do Lago
This settlement is one of the most prestigious resorts in the region. Some even believe that Quinta do Lago tops the list of the local elite resorts. Exquisite villas, expensive hotels, wonderful parks where lakes sparkle among the greenery, a pine forest … The territory of the resort is a nature reserve: it is forbidden to build tall buildings here. Here in the crowns of trees rare birds build their nests.
In addition, the resort is one of the best golf centers not only in the region, but throughout Europe. Every golf fan knows the name of this town very well.
Monte Gordo
In Monte Gordo you will find almost everything that the resorts of this region are famous for: excellent beaches, natural beauty, great restaurants, casinos … And, of course, golf: fans of this game will be able to spend time here with their favorite pastime.
Alvor
Alvor is a fishing village located in an extremely picturesque area. The territory of this resort can be roughly divided into two parts - old and new. The new part consists of shops and entertainment centers, the old one consists of cozy white-painted houses and a temple of the 16th century. This temple is the only building that survived the earthquake in the mid-50s of the 18th century. A natural disaster virtually destroyed the village and had to rebuild it.
Not far from the resort there is a nature reserve where you can watch birds (including rare ones). Also, the resort village is famous for its beaches.
Where to stay: Aguahotels Alvor Jardim, Pestana Alvor Praia Premium Beach & Golf Resort, Alvor Ar de Mar.
Lagos
This old town is located on the river bank. Its two thousand year history is rich in vivid events. He remembers the rule of the Romans, Moors, Byzantines … There are many historical monuments on the territory of the Lagos resort. Many tourists come here just to see these sights.
But one should not think that there is nothing here except the monuments of antiquity. The resort has many stunning beaches.
