Many of us are already counting the days till the end of winter and planning a spring break with milder temperatures and with more daylight hours.
One of the top destinations at this time of the year is the Algarve in Portugal, where small fishing villages, beautiful sandy beaches, impressive cliffs and tranquillity awaits on the Algarve coast.
If you drive from the south of Spain, you’ll probably pass through the Andalusian province of Huelva before reaching the picturesque town of Tavira, which is home to some 40 churches, huge mansions with filigree balconies and a castle cum vantage point to admire the traditional hipped roof houses in the town.
Spending the night in Tavira is an attractive option before continuing along the coastal strip to Faro, an area with a rich ecosystem where you can enjoy beautiful landscapes with islets, marshes and dunes. When you arrive in Faro, you’ll discover a city with a beautiful old town, narrow streets and many restaurants serving excellent food. The historic centre is encircled by the ancient city walls, and the city itself is filled with pedestrianised streets and plazas that are teeming with tourists throughout the year.
Next up after Faro is Portimão, historically, a fishing and shipbuilding hub that has now developed into a strong tourist centre. The bustling marina stands in contrast with the laid-back historic quarter. If you’re after something more than sun and beach, the monumental megalithic tombs of Monte Canelas and Alcalar are worth a visit to catch a glimpse back in time to the Neolithic period.
Continuing along the coast, you’ll find the Albufeira, possibly the most touristic area in the Algarve, which also boasts the region’s best beaches. Swimming with dolphins is just one of the many attractions on offer in this area.
The Algarve has many impressive beaches, but there are a few that truly stand out for their beauty. One is Praia da Marinha, one of Portugal’s most impressive beaches which is found near the city of Lagoa. Thanks to the water quality and golden sandy beach, Praia da Marinha has been used in several advertising campaigns and film shootings.
Another of our favourites is the Algar Beach in Benagil which boasts some impressive cliffs and sea caves that can only be accessed by sea.
Once in Lagos, you should really make a point of visiting the Ponta da Piedade (Piety’s Point), a group of rock formations and grottos that can be visited by boat, and from there to Sagres is a mecca for surf lovers. A visit to the fortress in Sagres is also highly recommended as you’ll get to enjoy the impressive views of Cape St. Vincent, which was once considered to mark the “edge of the world”.
Table set
If there’s another reason to visit the Algarve, it’s the great cuisine that perfectly complements its pleasant, sunny weather. Here are some of the more traditional dishes:
- Cataplana – a fish or seafood stew served with bread for dipping. The dish takes its name from the copper container in which it’s cooked.
- Roasted sardines
- Lemon horse mackerel (JUREL)
- Octopus – stewed in wine, roasted, fried, breaded or with rice.
- Caldeirada – a fish stew with potatoes, white wine, tomatoes and herbs.
