Portugal: Algarve

[bjorn]

Forget about quaint, deserted whitewashed villages and old men mending fishing nets. Beaches and bars are the reason people come to the Algarve. The area is a major European vacation spot, right up there with Santorini, the Riviera and Costa del Sol. Like any resort area, the place is filled with hotels, discos, and bars. The Algarve has amazing, clean, sandy beaches, and a fun, holiday atmosphere.

If you follow the coast from Faro, the capital of the Algarve, you reach Albufeira, the biggest holiday resort on the coast. Called the St. Tropez of Portugal, the beach is Albufeira's main draw, but there is always something going on at any hour of the day or night.

Lagos, on the south coast of the Algarve, is also a big party town and a major backpackers enclave. So much so, that after enough sangria you might not even realize you are in Portugal. Meia Praia, a vast strip of sand near the center of town, and the more secluded Praia do Pinhão and Ponta de Piedade to the south are some of the most popular beaches. There are plenty of places to rent bikes, mopeds and horses. Boat cruises and diving trips are popular. Apart from the sun and sand, the resort's other highlight is the municipal museum, which has a few interesting exhibits if you happen to get bored on a rainy day.

From Lagos, you can take the local bus to Sagres and Cabo Sao Vincente, once called "o fim do mundo,"- the end of the world. Sagre's claim to fame is it's link to Henry the Navigator. The Fortaleza de Sagres has a spectacular sea view and ramparts to climb around. The fort itself is neat, but just as interesting are the street vendors hawking. silver jewelry hand-knit sweaters, crafts and other souvenirs along the road to the village.

When to go:
Portugal's climate is Mediterranean. Boasting 3000 hours of sunshine a year, the Algarve is a terrific vacation spot. Tourist season runs April to October. The region can get very hot and crowded by midsummer.

What to Do:
History/Ruins:
From stalwart castles that preside over the countryside to ancient forts that guard the rivers from seafaring invaders, sightseers will find plenty of palaces to please their palates. At Sagres, stop by the Fortaleza.

Museums:
The Algarve lacks Eiffel tower-style cultural sites that draw people from all over the world, but it has many interesting attractions. Lagos has a Municipal Museum that features an eight-legged calf and other oddities.

Shopping:
Handicrafts, sweaters and tiles are available in most areas.

Food/Culinary Info:
Wineries are located in Lagos, Portimão, Tavira, and Lagoa districts. Lagoa's wine co-operative is the most well known, but not as famous as Potugal's port, white Vinho Verde, or red Dao wines.

Beach:
The raison d'etre for the Algarve coast is the beach. There are plenty to choose from. Topless bathing is common. At some more out-of-the-way beaches, such as Praia do Castelejo on the west coast, total nudity is tolerated. During July and particularly August, when all of Portugal seems to come on holiday to the Algarve, it can be hard to find a spare patch of sand on major beaches like Praia da Rocha and Fisherman's Beach at Albufeira.

Adventure:
The region is bordered by the Monchique and Caldeirao mountain ranges, which provide great spots for hiking. Local tourist boards can direct you to trails.

Natural Wonders:
Tavira has some nice gardens in the grounds of its castle and church, Praia da Rocha has windy footpaths that lead down to the beach amid arid plants and scenic views.

Nightlife/Bars:
From disco to top forty, techno to Brazilian, there is a club for every taste out there. Anywhere you may go, beer is near, be it from a pub, club, bar, snack shack or high priced restaurant.

Cafe Quotient:
Beach side snack shacks are more common than cafes, but you can still find plenty of places to grab a coffee and people watch. With a cafe or pastelaria (pastry shop) on every corner, the Algarve is an ideal destination for those who love to while away hours sipping coffee. The pedestrian streets of Lagos or Faro or at Casa Inglesa on the Manuel Teixeira Gomes Square at Portimao are the best for people watching and hanging out.

Cost:
The Algarve is a resort area and prices here are a bit higher than in the rest of Portugal.

Getting Around:
Towns along the coast are accessible by train and bus. The connections are not that great though. Flights arrive in Faro, where you can connect with transport to towns on the coast.

Safety:
Like most highly-touristed areas, it's smart to watch your belongings.

Language:
Portuguese is the native language in Portugal. Spanish, French or Italian speakers will find it easy to learn some basic phrases. Most tourist-oriented sports have someone on hand who speaks English, but it is good to pick up some basic phrases in Portuguese.

Party/Social Scene:
The Algarve is rocking.

Other Info:
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