The beautiful beach of Praia da Dona Ana is blessed with crystal clear waters and during the summertime you can take a beach bus here from Lagos every hour. A walk to Praia da Dona Ana will take about half-an-hour from Lagos’ centre. The beach is 200 m long and accessible via a stairway. Outside the tourist season, Praia Dona Ana is a real gem among the beaches of Algarve – the summer months and influx of tourists does not allow this beautiful beach to be witnessed at its best.

In Tavira Praia da Ilha de Tavira (often locally referred to as Praia das Cascas) is a magnet for watersports enthusiasts. A short boat trip (taking 10 minutes) from Tavira, departing from the jetty at Quatro Aguas -just by the old market in the centre of Tavira, this elongated sandbar beach is a popular attraction and has a reserved section for naturists.

In Albufeira, Praia dos Barcos is a very popular beach renowned for the array of fishermen’s colourful boats that line the one end of this rock-protected beach. The beach is reached through a tunnel next to the tourist information office.

Carrapateira is home to Praia do Armado beach – one of Portugal’s premier surfing venues and its surf school enjoys international patronage. This west coast beach is also popular with families whose children are attracted to the many rock pools that become visible at low tide.

Travel to Portimao to experience Praia da Rocha (Rock Beach). Known internationally as one of the most impressive beaches in the Algarve, the sweeping bay of golden sand can get extremely busy in the summer months due to its excellent conditions for water sports and boat-rides. A tunnel at the western end gives access to narrower stretches of sand.

Back in Albufeira you can find the family-friendly shallow waters and soft white sand on Praia da Sao Rafael. With beautiful sandy beaches and clear blue seas, this pretty bay is ideal for snorkelling or investigating the surrounding caves.

One of the Algarve’s best kept secrets, Praia de Odeceixe is a crescent-shaped beach is just a short distance from the quaint village of Odeceixe. This excellent beach is sheltered by high cliffs and in a perfect location in northern Algarve. It tends to be one of the less crowded beaches and for that reason alone, it is well worth a visit.

Surrounded by honey coloured cliffs and accessed by steep steps down the sides of the cliff, the golden sands of Praia da Marinha in Benagil has two wonderfully secluded beaches. The turquoise sea is a favourite with snorkellers, and the secluded beaches are popular with families and those seeking the privacy to relax in beautiful surroundings.

Popular with youngsters and windsurfers, Praia de Figueria, Salema is one of the Algarve’s less well known beaches, and as such there are no facilities of any kind here. Lying right in front of the village of Salema, you will need to arrive early to find parking space.

And last, but by no means least the list of top ten beaches in the Algarve would not be complete without mentioning the Meia Praia in Lagos. A 4km curve of sand stretching two miles in length, it is the longest beach in the Algarve. Popular with watersports enthusiasts, jet-skiiers and surfers the contrasting side offers peace and tranquility for those wishing to unwind and watch the world go by. In the Autumn, a walk along this stretch of beach is a recommended experience.

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The Algarve meaning ‘the west’ is the sunny, warm coastal region along the south of Portugal. In the years since the 1960’s tourism has overtaken agriculture and fishing as the main industry and a lot of the Algarve’s charm has gone with the bleak apartment blocks and sprawling villa complexes. Even so, with a little knowledge there are certain areas that remain wild, untouched and oozing with culture and history.

Although most tourists head to the central Algarve to destinations like Albufeira it is in fact the east and the west of the Algarve where you will find the most beautiful and untouched beaches. In the back country only miles from the tourist destinations many villages and towns remain untouched with little known rural walks in the spring flowers and shady woods.

Most notable in the eastern Algarve is the historic city of Tavira with it’s multitude of churches and a central castle. This area is close to the Ria Formosa natural park offering miles of lagoons and barrier islands where flamingos and numerous aquatic birds live and bread. The island of Tavira is easily reached by boat from the centre of town or after a 15 minute walk by the side of the salt pans. This stretch of sand is very popular with the Portuguese but continues for miles allowing for solitude even in the busy summer season.

In the west the city of Lagos is a popular destination and with good reason. The city has an important history as it is was from here that the Portuguese began their expeditions along the coast of Africa in the age of discovery. Lagos now has a completely pedestrianised centre within the old town that is surrounded by the castle walls. There are many shops, excellent restaurants serving fish and in the night Lagos is notorious for its bar scene. On Saturday mornings a trip to the vegetable market is highly recommended to purchase local produce for the kitchen. Walk along the cliffs out to the Ponta da Piedade (Mercy Point) with it’s lighthouse or go swimming on the little known nudist beach at Praia do Carnavial.

The mountains of Monchique are easily reached by car from anywhere in the western Algarve. The Caldes de Monchique are therapeutic thermal baths and the area is ideal for a stroll in the wooded hills or down by the bubbleing stream. Drive out to the village of Marmallate or climb to the top of the mountain where you can take in views of the whole of the Algarve coastline and enjoy the refreshing cool mountain air. Many local shops offer locally produced hams and varieties of ‘Medronho’ (a brandy made from the Arbutus fruit that symbolises frienship) as well as hand made craft items. Restaurants either side of the main road offer up freshly grilled chicken, Piri Piri style.

After Lagos the Algarve coastline continues west towards Sages and the region once called “the end of the world” as little was known of what lay beyond the waves. Resort towns such as Praia da Luz with it’s arced bay and black rock headland give way to the natural park of Costa Vincentina where many more secret beaches can be discovered especially along dirt tracks west of Vila do Bispo. Atlantic rollers meet a wild landscape of immense natural beauty. Popular with surfers the beaches at low tide have waves that collapse on themselves again and again and sitting on the beach on a sunny afternoon undisturbed by the modern world listening to the roar in the background while looking out into the abyss one can see how sailors were captivated to venture forth to discover what lay beyond.

Eastern Algarve, Portugal – the still undiscovered part of the Algarve

The Eastern Algarve is bordered by the Atlantic to the south, the N2 Faro-Sao Bras road to the west, the Vascao stream which forms the border with the Alentejo to the north, and the Guadiana river which forms the border between Portugal and Spain to the east. It is a small area, a parallelogram about 45km south to north and west to east. Anywhere can be visited in a day trip from Tavira in the centre of the coast.

The Eastern Algarve has four distinct geophysical zones:

The Guadiana river system marking its eastern flank and the border with Spain

The coastal strip of long sand beaches and the Ria Formosa wetlands

The coastal plain of good agricultural land characterised by citrus orchards – the barrocal

The hills, sparsely populated, which account for most of the land area – the serra

Why go to the Eastern Algarve?

Miles of golden sand beaches – the best in Portugal with the warmest water.

Still un-spoilt by mass tourism.

One of the sunniest places in Europe – over 3000 hours sunshine per year.

Kind, helpful people, no hassle.

Safe – no health or security risks

Pleinty of Sports

When to visit the Eastern Algarve?

The Algarve has one of the mildest and sunniest climates in Europe. That means it makes a welcome break from most of the European countrie at any time of year: winter, spring, summer or autumn.

Winter

The Eastern Algarve doesn’t really have a winter, it just goes from a hot dry summer to an extended spring. However, temperatures are lowest and rainfall highest between November and February. But within these months, there are many days of blue skies when daytime temperatures in the sun reach mid to high 20’s centigrade and you can quiet easily sunbath. These warm ‘winter’ days are some of the nicest of the year. However, when the skies are clear, the evenings and the early mornings can be chilly, though it is very rare for temperatures to drop to zero overnight.

Advantages

Cheapest time of the year (excluding Christmas and New year weeks)

Less tourists

A welcome break from northern winter blues

Disadvantages

If you are unlucky, it could rain for a whole week (though temperatures will be mild)

Less entertainment and festivals

Too cold to swim – unless you are brave

What to do

Besttime of year for doing the cultural things

Great for walking, bird watching, golf etc

When the sun is shining, sit in it

Spring

Temperatures rise and rainfall lessens throughout March, April and May. This is the time that the plants go crazy before the summer heat – the wild flowers becoming ever more spectacular throughout these months. In the hills, the streams and rivers are flowing. You can have your first swims of the year in the sea, rivers or pool during these months.

Advantages

Good value-for-money sunshine

Countryside at its most beautiful

Like summer but without the tourists

Disadvantages

Could get a good soaking

What to do

Get into the hills

Enjoy the wild flowers

Do the cultural things (or play golf)

Summer

For four months, between the middle of May and the middle of September, it is very hot and completely dry. All ground cover has burnt away, leaving fields brown. However, many trees – especially alfaroba (carob) and olives – and other drought resistant plants are green all year round, so that even in the middle of summer there is a lot of greenery and some flowers. The citrus and other fruit orchards of the coastal plains are irrigated, ensuring green foliage and ripe fruit throughout the summer. For plants, the summer is like the winter in most of the European Countries – it is the time they die off, drop their leaves, and stop growing.

Advantages

Guaranteed sunshine

Warmest water

Most evening entertainment and festivals

Warm nights

Disadvantages

Can be very hot

Most expensive time of year

Transport, restaurants, beaches, shops – all at their busiest

What to do

Sit on the beach or by the pool

Swim

Stay in the shade

Ddrink plenty of water

What to book

Houses with pools, sea breezes, fans, air-conditioning, sun umbrellas and shaded terraces.

Cars with air-conditioning

‘Autumn’

Sometime after the middle of September, the summer will ‘break’ and a thunderstorm will usher in the first rains. The extreme heat of summer will be gone and the climate enter one of the most pleasant times of the year. For plants, this is like the start of spring in most of the European countries, the time when they all begin to come to life again. The first rains – which can begin any time from late September to November – turn the hills and fields from brown to green almost over night.

Advantages

Warmest water of the year

Lovely walking weather

Best value-for-money sunshine of the year

Still summer but without the tourists

Disadvantages

Could get a soaking

What to do

Swim in the sea or the rivers

Play golf

Walk in the hills and on the beaches

Go bird watching in the Ria Formosa

Overseas buyers considering Portugal as the place to buy a dream home in the sun, will have thought of the Algarve in Portugal. The most recognised area in Portugal it is known mostly for its popular beaches, golf courses and nightlife.

Central Algarve is without doubt the most heavily visited of all the parts of this region. It is sandwiched between the two largest cities in the region, Faro on the eastern edge and Portimao on the western edge, and has kilometers of beaches and lots of activities to keep visitors and residents alike busy.

The climate is gorgeous in the Central Algarve for just about the whole year. Summer is hot, spring and autumn are moderate and the area is great for doing outdoor activities for at any time of the year. The winter is cool and wet, but even that time of the year is a nice change from much of northern Europe.

The Central Algarve stretches from just west of Faro to just east of Portimao, near Lagoa. The area is about 50 kilometers wide, so everything is within an easy drive no matter where you are, and the rest of the Algarve is easy to reach as well. This section of the Algarve is known for its resorts, and the towns of Albufeira, Sesmarias, Valamoura and Quarteira are a few of the more popular seaside resorts. This area also has plenty of golf destinations. Loule and Lagoa are popular towns with plenty of places to stay.

Albufeira is the major resort and tourist destination in the whole Algarve. The year round population of 35,000 increases exponentially in the summer. There are a number of golf courses and resorts around the town and the resort of Vilamoura, just to the east of Albufeira, is known as the golf capital of the Algarve. Albufeira makes a superb central Algarve base for family golf and recreation holidays. The diverse choice of golf courses near Albufeira coincides with a number of great family holiday attractions, particularly beaches. Quinta do Lago near Quarteira, just to the east of Vilamoura, is recognized as one of Europe’s best golf holiday resorts. There are four luxurious 18 hole golf courses are in the area, and two of these are listed in Europe’s top 25 golf courses.

For nightlife, Albufeira is the best place to have some fun. The Strip near the Montechoro section of town is very popular, particularly with younger crowds. There are lots of great bars and clubs along this stretch. Vilamoura also has a casino and some popular nightclubs as well.

Loule is one of the larger urban areas in the whole Algarve and is a good place to find housing. Whether to buy, rent or just a quick visit, this town has lots to offer for reasonable prices on up to luxury accommodations. There are also some new golf resorts around the town that have become popular. Lagoa, on the western end of Central Algarve, is a historic old town with lots to see and plenty of places to buy or rent.

Property in the Central Algarve, as in most of the entire region, is focused along the coastal areas. There are any number of new developments and resorts, and you can find a wide variety of housing and property for sale. Golf is most popular in this part of the Algarve, so if you want to find a golf resort or development this is a great place to look. Property around Lagoa in the western end of this area is quite popular, and you can find some of the nicest and most exclusive places around this town.Be sure to compare like for like when buying property in Portugal.

Albufeira is a popular seaside town with lots of local properties and several resorts as well. Several other seaside areas include Quarteira, Sesmarieas and Carvoeiro. Inland just a bit are the towns of Loule and Almancil, both of which are near Faro and very convenient to get to from the airport. Prices for housing in this region can be reasonable for smaller apartments, and can reach in the millions of euros for large villas with great views.

To get to the Central Algarve, the fastest and least expensive route is to fly into Faro Airport (FAO). This airport is located 7 kilometers west of the city of Faro in the southeast part of the Algarve, right on the border with the Central Algarve. It is one of the most popular airports for discount carriers, offering quick and reasonably priced service to most major European and UK cities.

Just a few of the airlines that fly to Faro include Aer Lingus, British Airways, Atlantic Airways, easyJet, Flybe, Jet2.com, Ryanair and Thomsonfly. It is possible to fly from almost any major airport in the UK direct to Faro. There are many more flights during the warmer parts of the year, but this airport is becoming popular for business travelers so it has a good number of flights that operate year round.

My children and I are planning a trip to Portugal this week. I am flying into the Faro airport. I would like to stay around the ocean/sea and I would like to know if there are any recommended hotels/apartments in the area and places and or area’s that I should shy away from. Please advise. Thank you.