Welcome to the Algarve

We're sure you've heard of him. Maybe a friend told you about one of its magnificent beaches. Perhaps you've seen a story dedicated to your Mediterranean-like gastronomy. Or he has stumbled upon a text like this, which highlights the history, culture and friendliness of those who are accustomed to welcome those who visit him.

United and diverse; This is the Algarve. A tourist destination composed of 16 municipalities, each with its own identity, enchanting landscapes and special stories to share. Learn more about the region's municipalities, explore what they have to offer, choose the places you definitely want to visit and work your vacation iti

Throughout the region, you will find the chance to discover some of the charms and secrets of Portugal's history, which time has not yet been able to erase.

Spending your holiday in the Algarve also offers an opportunity to travel back in time, finding countless testimonies for the different peoples and cultures that have come together throughout the history of this region.

From traces of Roman presence to evidence of the long legacy of Muslim times, from christian reconquest to the epic period of Portuguese discoveries, you'll find all sorts of reasons to rediscover the signs of a rather distinct historical past.

The evidence of the human settlement of the Algarve dates back to the immemorial time. Examples of this presence are found in the Neolithic remains of many thousands of years ago and the most recent, but no less interesting, Roman archaeological sites, now open to visitors.

Any trip to the region's past and its valuable history should also include a visit to the various archaeological museums, displaying a vast heritage that is waiting to be discovered. As home to a number of ancient civilizations, the Algarve was also visited by many other peoples, inevitably brought to the region by the immense sea that bathes its shores.

More than five centuries of Moorish influences have left their indelible mark on the region, beginning with its real name: Al-Gharb, which means West. The long Moorish occupation of the territory, which lasted from the 8th to the 13th century, must still be noted in the names of the cities and towns, in the agriculture of the region, in the architecture of the monuments, in the income patterns of the balconies, terraces and chimneys, or in the bleached houses still to be seen in many villages of the Algarve.

At that time, Silves was the central focus of the region because of its strategic geographical location.

In the mid-13th century, the Algarve was the last part of Portugal to be regained from Muslim rule. After a long period of advances and setbacks, the Christian reconquest enjoyed the valuable collaboration of the Knights of the Order of St. James, led by Don Paio Peres Correia. The result was that, during the reign of Dom Afonso III, the Arab presence in the Algarve was closed and the region was united to the kingdom of Portugal.

In addition to Silves, the cities of Tavira and Faro, the current capital of the Algarve, were definitely conquered from the Moors. This marked the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves.

Later, at the beginning of the 15th century, the beginning of portuguese maritime expansion brought new life to the Algarve and its people. Since then, Lagos and Sagres have remained forever linked to Prince Henry, the Navigator and the Portuguese Discoveries. Even today, at the headland known as Ponta de Sagres, a giant stone finger can be seen pointing to the Atlantic Ocean in a clear allusion to the courage of the Algarve's navigators, such as Gil Eanes, who set sail across the seas in search of new worlds to give to the world.

Many brands of this remote past, which is still very present in the soul of the inhabitants of the Algarve, are found scattered throughout the region.

To visit Aljezur, Lagos, Silves, Faro, Tavira,  Castro Marim and Alcoutim means discovering the grandeur of Portuguese history, its people and its traditions, in every museum, church, fort and castle of the region.

The Algarve is divided into three large strips, each of great scenic beauty:

– The coast , where most of the region's economic activity is concentrated. you'll find steep cliffs falling sharply into the sea, extensive stretches of sand, lagoons with lots of entrances, swamps, dunes and more. The rocks are predominantly sedimentary, such as sandstone and conglomerates. Morphologically, the coast has a low altitude and consists mainly of flat terrain, such as pastures and plains;

– Barrocal  is the transition zone between the coast and the arid lands, and consists of limestone rocks and cispeças. Also known as the serra-edge ("edge of the rising lands") it is traditionally the main supplier of agricultural products in the Algarve, including the renowned medronho cognac, honey and cork;

– The land (mountains ) occupy 50% of the territory. They consist of rocks cysts and some granite. The main plateau tracks are the Serra do Espinhaço de Cão, the Serra de Monchique, where the highest point of the Algarve is located, with 902 meters, and the Serra do Caldeirão, also known as Mú.

The geographical location of the Algarve confers special bioclimatic conditions in the region. The sun shines for more than 3,000 hours a year and the average annual rainfall is low.

The most important sector of activity is the tertiary sector (trade and services) due to the main economic activity - tourism.