Beautiful beaches and the wild Atlantic Ocean attract guests from all over the world to the south of Portugal. The climate is mild and sunny all year round. When are you going on an Algarve vacation?
Rough and impetuous, the waves of the Atlantic thunder against the rocky coasts. The spray is meters high. The Algarve shows its wild side at Sangres, the most south-westerly point in Europe. It is windy on the way to Cape Saint Vincent. Not a tree grows on the 70-metre-high cliffs, the impressive landscape is magical, and I understand why this place was sacred to the first settlers on Portugal's southern coast. We drive back to Sangres in our rental car - which you need to discover the sparsely populated Algarve and get to the most beautiful hidden beaches - and take a quick dip in the 18-degree sea before heading to the "Last Chance" above the beach to enjoy Portuguese red wine, tapas and the sunset. Yes, an Algarve vacation like this goes straight to the heart!
European champion in hours of sunshine
An Algarve vacation means a vacation with a dream weather guarantee: Portugal's southernmost province has the most hours of sunshine in Europe. The cool Atlantic wind ensures that it doesn't get too hot even at midday. The sheltered beaches in the region around Albufeira and near Vila do Bispo in the western Algarve are perfect for beach vacationers and families with children. Narrow steps usually lead down to bays framed by picturesque cliffs. The most beautiful time on the beach is late afternoon, when the sun is low and the beaches glow in shades of gold, beige and orange. Sooo romantic!
Algarve: sights in historic towns
The historic towns of Lagos, Tavira and Faro are among the Algarve's greatest sights. We especially love the port city of Lagos: the colorful houses with wrought-iron balconies, dreamy backyards and the beautiful church "Igreja de santo António" with its typical azulejos (blue and white tiles) and gilded woodwork are absolutely worth seeing. Another tip: you can hire boats at the harbor.
Even though we can never get enough of the fine sandy golden beaches on our Algarve vacation, we also have to make a detour to lively Albufeira. We stroll through the stores for hours. We leave the city center in the late afternoon with an ice cream in one hand and a bag of shopping loot in the other. I'm really proud of myself: I was even able to negotiate the price of a gold necklace down a little. Back at the hotel, we freshen up before diving into Albufeira's famous nightlife.
Algarve: Holidays away from the tourist centers
In the well-frequented coastal towns, you don't even notice that the Algarve is actually very sparsely populated. Even the capital Faro has less than 45,000 inhabitants. In the summer months, the number of tourists is three times as high as the number of locals. Despite this, the region has retained its original side, especially in the hinterland, where Algarve vacationers can find peace and relaxation. Festivals and traditional markets take place in the enchanting towns of Loulé, Silves and Alcoutim. Those who enjoy hiking can follow the long-distance hiking trail "Via Algarviana" from east to west through the mountainous and sometimes lonely hinterland or ask the tourist office to recommend one of the coastal routes.
Speaking of active Algarve vacations: the south coast is a Mecca for surfers. In the early morning, the bay of Carrapateira is their stomping ground. Paddle, get on the board and then catch the perfect wave: We watch the sporting activity for a while until the beach holidaymakers reclaim the coastal strip around midday...