Algarve Holidays

Algarve: Introduction

The Algarve stretches along Portugal’s beautifully scenic southern coast and is the country’s premier tourist destination. Holiday-makers return year after year to the Algarve’s whitewashed houses, gorgeous golden beaches, crystalline Atlantic waters and clear blue skies. From vibrant coastal resorts, to picturesque fishing villages and an ancient Moorish city, Algarve holidays have something to suit visitors of all tastes.

Albufeira is one of the region’s biggest tourist resorts and is a white-sanded paradise for those looking for a cheap package holiday to the Algarve. The resort boasts a staggering 21 beaches to choose from, all with soft sand and sparkling turquoise sea. Packed with affordable accommodation, bars and restaurants, Albufeira ensures a fun-filled and sun-soaked escape from everyday life.

Another option for a beach holiday to the Algarve is the charming Carvoeiro resort, with fantastic rock formations for snorkellers and divers to explore. Ferragudo beach is well known for its extensive range of watersports, including windsurfing, water skiing and sailing. Families with will find plenty of attractions to enjoy, with a sports park, aquatic zoo and mini-golf courses lying close to the resort. The deliciously fresh fish dishes must be sampled on a trip to Carvoeiro, and the evening can be completed with a glass of wine in the lively square, where folk singing and dancing displays are often staged.

The best nightlife in the Algarve can be found in Praia da Rocha, with rousing bars and clubs within easy walking distance of the resort’s extensive range of accommodation. Below the towering rocky cliffs lies a stunning beach of golden sand, lapped with clear blue water. Enjoy hours of relaxation soaking up the sun, or explore the beach’s superb caves, tunnels and arches, sculpted from red and yellow sandstone.

Culture vultures looking for a cheap Algarve holiday will be delighted by the understated charm of Faro, the region’s capital. Visitors marvel at the Carmo Church in Largo do Carmel, with its twin bell towers, yellow-painted balustrade, ornate gilded woodwork and collected of 1,245 skulls and bones. The shops in Faro are filled with local delights, such as embroidered tablecloths, local antiques and Portuguese wines, ports and pastries. The city’s nightlife is fuelled by its healthy student population, and the Rua Conselheiro Bivar and Rua Infante teem with lively bars and nightclubs.

Just a short journey inland will reveal another side to the Algarve, with a host of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. The Moorish city of Silves is home to a breathtaking ancient castle, which provides stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape and the River Arade. Each August Silves is transformed by a medieval festival, where locals and visitors can enjoy re-enactments of the past and traditional food and Algarvian wine, all bought with the archaic currency xelb.

Delve further inland by jeep safari to discover the ëgreen lung’ of the Algarve, home to long stretches of cork trees, natural thermal spas and the bright red berries of the Arbutus bush.

Check our Hot Offer holidays section for cheap holidays to the Algarve now to start planning an escape to this sun-soaked region, or browse our range of Algarve accommodation and cheap Algarve flights to tailor your own perfect getaway.