The Algarve. Think of the Algarve and you think of sunshine breaks and relaxing holidays. You imagine golden beaches on the coast of calm sea waters, sun-kissed tourists relaxing and sampling the delights that this wonderful region of Portugal has to offer.

Everywhere you go, you are surrounded by bright colours, from the golden sands, to the crystal clear waters, the clear blue skies, the vivid green grass, and the white-washed walls of the buildings in the Algarve's old towns.

There is no one best way to explore this region of Portugal. The seemingly endless coastline includes some of the world's most beutiful beaches, but by venturing just a few miles inland, you can lose yourself in the heritage and history of the Algarve.

Albufeira. The tourist capital of the Algarve. If you're looking to make the most of your trip to the Algarve, then Albufeira has to be visited. Albufeira boasts golden beaches, luxury holiday resorts, golf courses, great restaurants and a lively nightlife. Albufeira is the town of the Algarve.

The Algarve really is a European paradise, and for that reason you want to make sure you get to know it properly. Let us show you around.



The Algarve is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Every year tourists in their thousands flock to the south of Portugal to soak up the sun and relax in this European paradise.

The Algarve is full of history and heritage. Still standing today are buildings and walls dating back to the Roman times.
You are never far from a musuem or guided tour to allow you gain a more indepth insight into the evolution of this beautiful region.

The Algarve has the best all-year round climate in the whole of Europe, and can boast more sunshine hours than California!
You can often see temperatures hit the mid 30's.

With over 100 miles of dramatic cliff faces and extensive golden beaches, the Algarve offers one of the most dramatic coastlines in the world.
There is something for everyone, whether you're after a relaxing day at an intimate cove, or watersports and tourist attractions on busy golden beaches.

The Algarve is full of holiday resorts and hotels to make your stay as good as possible. Whether you're after a busy beach-front resort, or the more peaceful surroundings of a quiet hotel, you'll be able to find the resort for you.

Eating out in the Algarve holds a prominent position in Portuguese life and is the only way to truly discover the extent of the region's culinary range.
Food in the Algarve can be seen to reflect the heritage of this fantastic region, always full of flavour and richly prepared, and with roots dating back to a world long since gone.

Things to Do



There's no doubt that the Algarve is perfect for long lazy days in the sun and relaxing strolls into town and along the coast. But what if you prefer to break up your days with a bit more action? Well the Algarve can offer you that too...

Probably the most popular pursuit in the Algarve is golf. The Algarve is home to many of the world's top courses and has played host to many international tournaments and competitons.
Whether you are a skilled-amateur looking for new challenges, or just a beginner looking for a relaxing break from the stresses of everyday life, the golf courses of the Algarve are the place for you.

There can be few things more relaxing on holiday than a spot of outdoor bowls... and there are few more relaxing settings for the sport than the algarve.
The beautiful climate, glorious sunshine, calm sea views and cooling sea breezes make the Algarve the ideal surroundings for your game.

If you were to pick the perfect conditions for playing the perfect game of tennis, what would you pick? Sun shining? Hot? Clear blue skies?
Now if all of the above together would be your idea of a tennis paradise, then the Algarve is the place for you.

With the beautiful coastline and beaches that the Algarve has to offer tourists... it's no wonder that some of the most popular and enjoyable pursuits are water sports.

The Weather



The Algarve enjoys the best all year round climate in Europe.

Todays Weather Forecast: Click here to find out what the weather in the Algarve is like right now.

Clube Praia da Oura is the definitive family resort, with it's large outdoor pool and separate children's pool, shops, several bars and a poolside restaurant, plus a great programme of entertainment and activities for all age-groups, CPO has everything you could need or want. Because of clever design, most of the apartments have sea views and all have terraces or balconies, and from the decked walkway at the front of the resort, there are steps leading to what is essentially a 'private' sandy cove.

The Oura-View Beach Club is truly stunning. The immaculate white buildings face the sea, which means that most apartments have panoramic coastal views from their windows and balconies. All the apartments are air-conditioned. From the main apartment building, where you will find the reception and adjoining bar, the resort graduates gently down to the sea. The superb outdoor pool seems to hang above the beach so that the lighter blue of it's water merges with the deeper blue of the ocean.

Small, intimate and thoroughly pleasant, the Oura Praia Hotel offers you great entertainment in a family atmosphere. Situated just a little back from the golden beach, the Hotel has a lovely outdoor swimming pool with a poolside bar and restaurant, plus a gym, sauna and tennis court. The resort is built around a big atrium which rises to the top of the impressive building featuring a tropical garden behind glass walls and a water feature.

Places to Visit

The Algarve is full of fantastic towns and villages to visit, whether it be for sight-seeing, shopping or just general exploring.

With a cliff-lined coast of 23 golden beaches, and lively nightlife, Albufeira is the tourist capital of the Algarve, attracting holiday-makers in their thousands every year.

Cape St Vincent is Europe's most South Westerly point and is still an important shipping landmark, with it's very own lighthouse that is visible from 50 miles away.

The history of Faro is there for all to see if you visit this lively town. Some of the old town is still surrounded by the old Roman walls that date back to the 9th Century.

Now essentially a tourist town, Lagos is a major port and was the home of Prince Henry the Navigator. There are still many architectural signs of its ancient past and even a building dating back to around 1445.

Loule is a historical town. The walls of it's 12th Century castle still stand, and now surround the town's museum, displaying yet more treasures of this beuatiful town's past.

Situated high up in between the hills of Foia and Picota, Monchique is a quiet town, happily untouched by the invasion of tourism brought about during the 20th Century.



The commercially-orientated town of Portimao has been, and still is today, the main shopping town in the whole of the Algarve.

At Sagres stands Ponta de Sagres, the fortress of Henry the Navigator. It is here that he once collected the the greatest minds of his day to aid him with his voyages.

Dominated by it's Roman castle, Silves is situated above the River Arade and is a town saturated in history.

Visit Tavira to escape the more 'modern' resorts of the Algarve and surround yourself in the history and architecture of probably the Algarve's most elegant town.

A golfer's paradise, Vilamoura is home to some of the world's best and most famous golf courses.

So you can see, there is a little something for everyone in the Algarve, which is why it is seen as such a perfect holiday destination for so many year after year.

Driving



In Portugal, the cars drive on the right hand side of the road, with vehicles entering from the right having priority.

All EU driving licences are valid in the Algarve, but they should preferably be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. You will also need to carry with you your identity card or passport, your insurance certificate, and vehicle log book and proof of ownership.

To hire a car in Portugal, you will need a valid driving license with you.
You can also hire a car before you arrive... contact us to find out more.

Safety belts are compulsory for all passengers, whilst motorcylists must always wear a helmet.
There are laws against the use of mobile phones while driving, unless you are using hands-free equipment.

Drinking and Driving is against the law!
The blood-alcohol limit is 0.5gm/l, which is lower than in the UK.

It is easy enough to fill up with petrol if you are on the main roads with 24-hour service stations in the main urban areas, as well as on motorways and other main roads.
Petrol stations are less frequent in other inland regions and they have variable opening times.

The speed limit for passenger vehicles without trailers and motorcycles is 50kmh/31mph in built up areas, 90kmh/55mph on main roads, 100kmh/62mph on clearways, and 120kmh/75mph on motorways.
Traffic signs comply with international conventions and standards.