Halifax Travel Guide Algarve

Algarve Introduction

Praia Barlavento, Algarve. Photo credit to Algarve Tourist Office

Moorish castles in the misty mountains, Atlantic waves on the wild west coast

Escape: To the mountains to soak in Caldas de Monchique's thermal waters, clifftop Vilalara Thalassa spa for a good salty soaking, Quinta do Lago for uncrowded, dune-backed beaches.

Discover: Faro's warren of cobbled streets and gold-hued cathedral, far-reaching coastal views from the Serra Monchique's peaks, Silves' red sandstone castle and remote beaches on the rugged west coast.

Take Home: Fill your suitcase with Algarvian marzipan, almond and fig sweets, fruity Vida Nova wine, ruby-red port and medronho firewater.

Algarve Lowdowntop

Highlights

See the Algarve's almond trees smothered in white blossom (Jan/Feb), Loulé Carnival's parades (Feb/Mar), the Portuguese Golf Open (Apr), the International Music Festival (May/Jun), Moorish Nights and Silves Beer Festival (Jul) and the Jazz Festival (Jul/Aug).

Electricity

220 volts

International Dialling Code

+351

Money (currency)

Local currency is the Euro (€)

Time

GMT: precisely, GMT plus 1 hour in summer

British Consulate

Address: Largo Francisco A Mauricio 7-1º
8500-355 Portimão
Algarve
Portugal
Tel: +351 282 490 750

Algarve Tourist Office

Address: Av. 5 de Outubro
18 8001-902 Faro
Algarve
Portugal
Tel: +351 2 89 80 04 00
Web:Visit Algarve

Halifax Travel Insurance

Tel: 0800 032 1751

Web: Halifax Travel Insurance

Halifax Travel Money

Tel: 0845 246 0006

Algarve Experiencestop

Best Attractions

Wind through Faro's narrow streets for stargazing in the Live Science Centre, Roman statues in the Museu Municipal and Baroque art in Faro Cathedral. Explore Albufeira's cobbled Old Town, pavement cafés and humming fish market, or Tavira's lofty castle towers and Roman bridge.

Best Hidden Gems

Discover lesser-known gems on your Algarve holiday. Enjoy sweeping views from Castelo de Silves' sturdy walls, taking in the Moorish castle's 11 towers and vaulted cisterns. Savour fresh sardines in the sleepy fishing village of Portimao and peer down 30-metre-deep mine shafts at Cova dos Mouros Mine Park.

Best Beaches

The untamed west coast reels in surfers with its huge swells and secluded beaches backed by towering cliffs. Stretch out on Praia do Monte Clérigo, Praia do Amado Clérigo and Praia da Bordeira. Choose Falesia Beach, Vilamoura, Praia do Alvor and Praia da Rocha for clear waters, family fun and a wide range of watersports.

Best Buys

Find glazed terracota pots, brightly painted azulejos (tiles), copper, lace and leather at the open-air markets in Albufeira, Lagos and Portimao on your Algarve holiday.

Best Scenery

Retreat to eucalyptus and cork forests in the Serra de Monchique mountains and see the sun sink into the Atlantic from Cape of St Vincent's sheer cliffs. Uncover the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve's isolated beaches, dunes and lagoons, or stand in awe of Algar Seco's bizarre rock formations and caves.

Algarve Adventuretop

Take your pick from some of the world's finest golf courses on your Algarve holiday, including the 18-hole Quinta do Lago. Hike uphill and bike downhill in the Serra de Monchique, or saddle up to canter through Silves' citrus orchards on horseback. Surfing and kite surfing are all the rage on the Algarve's windswept west coast. The biggest waves hit the beaches of Zavial and Martinhal.

Kids and big kids scream on the twisting flumes at Slide and Splash and The Big One waterparks, and come face to face wtih sharks at ZooMarine in Guia.

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