Holidays to Algarve

The perfect Algarve holiday

Did someone say 'perfect holiday location'? Yes! They did indeed because the Algarve in Portugal is truly one of the world's hotspots... in every respect. Warm sunshine all year round, warm waters waiting to caress your wearied bod and hot nightclubs, hot restaurants and scenery to make a historian weep.

You fly into Faro Algarve and this is your starting point for holidays in the Algarve. The jumping, pumping Lagos has the nightlife scene well covered while those desiring seclusion and languid martinis by a pool are catered for by beautiful Sagres. A villa in Vilamoura is many people's idea of a luxury holiday in the sun, and it's certainly one of the best resorts in Portugal. Silves has it all covered for the history and scenery buffs and Tavira is also an ideal choice. The beaches! Well, delightful doesn't even begin to cover it - from sparkling Praia da Luz to expansive Armacao de Pera and all the lime stone cliffs and caves ideal for exploratory trips that stretch up and down the coast.

The southern-most region of Portugal has long been a muse for seekers of the sun; long attracted hedonists for the nightlife scene and the languid beauty of the scenery has drawn travellers, particularly from the UK, since the 60s. The Algarve is now sophisticated in many spots, the restaurants and nightlife as good as anywhere and yet it's large enough to still offer stunning and peaceful scenery and beaches to those who want to search it out.

People love holidays to Algarve because of the Mediterranean climate, the deals to Portugal, the gorgeous beaches and the generally very safe atmosphere. You'll not be haggled with or hassled here. The accommodation ranges from high rise resorts to pensiones in the surrounding towns and villages. Holiday Supermarket can arrange all-inclusive packages to suit any budget and they'll also help you find the best resort in the town or beach area that suits your need for the high life, the relaxed life or anything in-between.

Hints and tips for your Algarve holiday

Eating

Eating out in the Algarve -– cheap, expensive and everything in between

The rolling hills and valleys of the Algarve supports a diverse agricultural economy whilst the coastal area is dotted with endless fishing villages and ports so it should come as no surprise to find the cuisine in the Algarve is a combination of game, fresh vegetables and plenty of seafood and shellfish. The flavours are a proud mix of the Moorish spices and Spanish cuisine that Portugal has assimilated for its own over the years. Perhaps most striking is the influence of the Goth Invaders who left behind their preference for stews and the difference a thousand years has made to the recipes

Restaurants

The budget options – if you're in the Praia da Rocha area your must do dining choice is Adri's, which you'll find close to the Casino. It's no fancy restaurant but it does specialise in home style Portuguese cooking. Expect dishes like Peri Peri Chicken and steak, plus lots of seafood in hearty stews and with plenty of spice.

Mid price options – the town of Burgau sports a great little place called Esquina, on the corner of Rua da Praia close to the middle of the town. It's a small family-run place with the kind of seaside cooking that has made Portugal famous. Try the fish soup - delicate and excellent. They buy fresh from the markets daily and cook what they buy until it all runs out - no frozen stuff here.

Splurge – the delightful village of Luz has an impressive restaurant called Dolphin run by some ex-pat South Africans. They've brought the more delicate spices of Africa to the table but the Portuguese steak is still excellent. They also venture to the markets and to the surrounding countryside for their daily wares and the effort shows in the end result.

Things not to miss

The Algarve - nightlife, beaches and history

The sunshine will draw you here, the strength of poolside Margaritas and delicious fresh seafood will keep you here, but what will draw you back next year and the year after that is the unforgettable local scenery. Moorish history, monuments and natural wonders are a dime a dozen in the Algarve and you'll have a wonderful time tracking them all down.

Natural wonders - close to the town of Lagos (in itself a fascinating place to visit), is Ponta da Piedade. It's a stunning geographic landmark jutting out into the azure sea. You can park a car at the top and walk down the cliff side, appreciating the view all the way, or you can take a boat tour and see the grotto from the sea. There are organised boats, or a local fisherman will happily take you for a small fee.

Man-made wonders - the Albufeira Adventure Park is just outside the town of Santa Eualia and offers paintball plus electrifying obstacle courses you and the kids can compete on. There are high wire ziplines and much more.

Best Beach – just outside Lago lies stunning Camilo Beach in a fabulous setting. You make your way down the steep wooden steps onto the beach and enjoy the surrounding rock formations, the golden sands and the warm waters. Ideal for swimming and snorkelling and just lazing the day away..

Weather in Algarve

What to wear, when to go

You're looking at a very typical Mediterranean climate in the Algarve with winters averaging about 25C and temps in the 40s during summer. The heat is tempered by the coastal breezes, but you'll welcome the sweet coolness of the pool or beach! The weather in Algarve is even more impressive when you consider its 3000 sunshine hours per year - sunnier than California! Spring is a great time to visit because the nights are cooler yet the days are long and hot - typical weather in the Algarve! Ideal months are June and September, and any rain is generally very brief.

ALGARVE WEATHER

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