Portugal Guide
The Algarve
With its spectacular sandy beaches and picturesque rocky coves, it is not surprising that the Algarve is Portugal's most popular region for holidaymakers. This has inevitably led to some heavy development. Large segments of the coast from Faro west to Albufeira have suffered most, with endless villa complexes creating a rather depressing Mediterranean-style suburbia. But at least the facilities are first rate, as are the beaches. Elsewhere in the Algarve, especially around Sagres and Tavira, the surroundings are far more attractive, with relaxed, small-scale resorts located near superb beaches or island sandbanks.
The coastline in fact has two quite distinct characters. To the west of Faro you'll find the classic postcard images – namely a series of tiny bays and coves, broken up by weird rocky outcrops and fantastic grottoes. East of Faro, there's a complete change as you encounter the first of a series of sandy offshore islets, the ilhas, which front the coastline virtually all the way to the Spanish border.
Highlights
1 Ilha de Tavira Sandspit island with an enormous stretch of dune-backed beach – the best in the eastern Algarve.
2 Silves The historic Moorishcapital of the Algarve is overlooked by the grandest of castles.
3 Serra de Monchique The woods around Monchique's mountains offer superb walking terrain.
4 Boat trip, Lagos Explore the extraordinary rock formations and grottoes on a boat trip from Lagos.
5 Sagres Iberia's most southwesterly point, complete with fortress, lighthouse and great surfing beaches.
6 West coast beaches A stunning variety of wave-battered sandy swathes between Sagres and Odeceixe.