The Moors called their al-Gharb the Sunset Land, and visitors have been waxing lyrical ever since. Blessed with a mild winter climate and a sunny disposition, Portugal’s playground province remains one of the most popular year-round holiday destinations in southern Europe. Lively coastal resorts spill over ribbons of golden sand in sharp contrast to the quiet villages of the hinterland, where history and tradition go hand in hand.
Folk dancers
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The biggest city in southern Portugal, Faro is the capital of the Algarve and an important centre of tourism, trade and commerce. Its historic quarter overlooks a pretty marina and the Ria Formosa. See Faro.
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The Serra da Monchique rises 458 m (1,500 ft), enveloping the hillside town of Monchique and its neighbouring spa centre. See Monchique.
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Loulé hosts a colourful weekly market and is a thriving centre for local handicrafts. It is also the gateway to the central hinterland and the Caldeirão mountain range. See Loulé.
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One of the most important wetland zones in Europe, the park’s expansive lagoon, sand dunes and marshland are a sanctuary for a wealth of wildlife. See Parque Natural da Ria Formosa.
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This top holiday spot is the Algarve’s largest resort, boasting some of the most effervescent nightlife in Portugal. Generous beaches flank bustling esplanades brimming with cafés and trendy clubs. See Albufeira.
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Algarve International Film FestivalThe annual Algarve Film Festival, (FICA - Festival Internacional de Cine do Algarve), in the town of Portimão, is Portugal's oldest cinema event, dating back to 1972. It centres on a short film... Read more
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Festival do MariscoAmongst the most important gastronomic events in the Algarve, the Festival do Marisco (seafood festival) at the Jardim do Pescador Olhanese has rows of stalls selling fresh fish dishes. Concerts,... Read more
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Ria Formosa Nature ReserveDesignated as a protected nature reserve, Ria Formosa Nature Reserve covers 60km of coastline from Tavira in the east to Ancao in the west, encompassing almost the entire Formosa Estuary. Read more
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Parque da Floresta Golf CourseParque da Floresta Golf Course in the Algarve is one of the finest in Europe. Designed by Spanish golf architect Pepe Gancedo in 1995, it is an undulating course with views of the sea and challenges... Read more
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