Book a hotel in the Algarve/Faro

With its limestone caves and grottos, long golden sandy family-friendly beaches and beautiful bays with coastal waters, the Algarve is like the perfect holiday postcard. Inhale the smell of the salty sea and try fresh seafood in one of the local restaurants. Play golf all year round in the glorious sunshine on one of the 30 golf courses that challenge both professionals and amateurs. More than12 million people visit the Portuguese Algarve every year, making it the most popular tourist destination in Portugal.

The Algarve is the most southerly province of Portugal, separated from Spanish Seville by the river Guadiana. Situated within the Faro District and subdivided into fifteen communes and sixty-two parishes, the Algarve has approximately 450.000 permanent inhabitants. Main economical sources are tourism, fish, seafood and fruit, with regional delicacies, such as figs, almonds, carobs and brandy.

It was in the 1960s that the Algarve became an important destination, mainly for British tourists, who later created a small settlement in the (more...) area. Other international tourists found the charming area and it didn’t take long before it became famous for its scenic nature. Today, the Algarve is well known for its lovely beaches filled with traditional guesthouses but also luxury hotel resorts and exclusive Spa hotels.

The incredible surrounding makes the Algarve into the perfect place for any outdoor sport. Sail out to sea on the pirate boat, feel the adrenalin on a jet ski and glimpse the caves and secret beaches. Diving and windsurfing is fantastic in the clear Atlantic waters. Cross the Algarve terrains as you experience a thrilling quad biking ride through muddy pools, rivers and untouched villages, or take a more tranquil bike excursion over the lush green hills.

Ria Formosa lagoon provides a great choice for ecotourism in this over 170 square kilometer nature reserve , with well-known beaches like Vale do Lobo, Faro Island, Culatra, and Tavira Island. The Barril Beach, also situated in this area, is popular among naturists and gays.

The Algarve is both relaxing and active at the same time; it’s you who decides what rhythm you want on your vacation. The large spectrum of classy restaurants, crowded bars, desirable casinos and energetic dance clubs guarantees entertainment options suitable for all choices.

The modern museum Museu Arqueológico in Albufeira holds a modest but fascinating collection of Stone Age, Roman and Moorish artifacts. Scale models of caravels, galleons and steamboats are found in the Museu Marítimo in Faro. The Aquarium Museum in the Zoo Marine Algarve has more than twenty marine ecosystems and habitats, and a 3D movie will introduce you to how animals live in their natural habitats.

From gypsy markets to designer outlets, shopping in the Algarve is fun, regardless of your budget. One cannot visit the Algarve without taking home some of the typical hand-painted pottery and ceramics.

The Algarve climate provides hot and dry summers and mild winters with hardly any rain. With over 3,000 hours of sun a year, it seems like the sun always shines over the Algarve, making it one of the favorite tourist destinations in Portugal.

Popular hotels in Algarve, Faro