Algarve Nightlife

Posted by Algarve Portugal

When you are on your holidays in the Algarve in Portugal you will have a lot of choice for fun nights out. The best spots for a fun night out in the Algarve are Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, Vilamoura and many more. During the Summer there is always a place to party and the fun will go on until the sun rises and the weather is great!

Albufeira Nightlife

If you are staying in Albufeira you will have a lot of good restaurants and bars. The restaurants start getting crowded at about 6:30pm and the bars get crowded at abou 11:00pm. Albufeira has a many events and concerts organized, including open air concerts with great Dj’s, like the one in the picture with Bob Sinclair. These concerts are open access and free of charge and take place near the beach.

Albufeira in the Algarve Portugal has two main bar zones, one is in the old part of town, the Cidade Velha, and the other is the Oura Strip. The Old part of town is what you see in the picture, near the Praia dos Pescadores. Here you have many bars and restaurants in walking distance, including Irish and Dutch bars, English taberns and various other bars.

At the Oura strip you can find a street full of bars, ranging from dance, hip hop and electro music. At the end of the strip there is a Wild & Company bar, with great tunes, dancers and bar shows!

Holiday Villas in Algarve Portugal

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If you are considering holidays in the Algarve in Portugal, renting a holiday villa may be a great choice, if you have a big family and like the privacy. The Algarve in Portugal is one of Europe’s best family holiday destinations for luxury villas and self catering holiday homes. Many families choose to come on vacation to this beautiful place and rent a spectacular luxury villa with swimming pool or self catering apartments. The visitors are drawn to the Algarve in Portugal by the warm Mediterranean climate, beautiful clean sandy beaches and hospitable people.

Luxury Villa Algarve PortugalPortugal is a country full of a vibrant culture and proud heritage and the Algarve is the region with the best climate, most beautiful beaches and summer events and animation. Many families come to the Algarve in Portugal on vacation and stay in self catering accommodation because they can use these holiday homes as a base to explore the local countryside in a more relaxed fashion.

In the Algarve in Portugal there are many luxury holiday villas with swimming pools at good prices. These holiday homes are available for rent direct from their owners or through and agency. Many nestle in the mountain sides and offer spectacular views of the stunning scenery. Other holiday villas are near the coast also with swimming pools, and some more expensive ones that are located at the beach can also be rented.

When you decide to take a vacation in the Algarve in Portugal you have the choice to stay in self catering apartments in some of the beach resorts. These self catering holiday homes are very popular with families that love experience the local cuisine and wines. When staying in a holiday home in the Algarve in Portugal, the visitor will be more in touch with the local culture and way of life.

Luxury Villas Algarve PortugalPortugal is a relatively small country but is regarded as one of the most rewarding travel destinations in Europe. The coastline stretches some 800km and all along it are some of the most stunning holiday villas and self catering accommodations. To the south and west lies the Atlantic Ocean and to the north and east lies Spain. The weather in Algarve Portugal is great all year round and you will always enjoy it!
Lisbon sits on a hilly terrain beside one of the most magnificent harbors in Europe. There are some great holiday accommodations to rent in this area with luxury holiday villas and self catering apartments looking over the harbor are very popular with tourists. The area also has excellent beaches on the Costa do Sol.

The Algarve coastline stretches 161km and is recognized to have some of the best beaches in Portugal and Europe. The whole area is popular with tourists taking a family holidays to Portugal. There are many holiday cottages and villas to rent direct from their owners in this part of Portugal. Many tourists also come to this area on golfing holidays or short golfing breaks.

The Algarve in Portugal has some of the best golf courses in Europe and caters for golfers of all abilities and budgets. For those holiday makers wanting to splash out, they can rent luxury villas with swimming pools. For those golfers on a golfing holiday to Portugal on a tighter budget, there are many self catering apartments available to rent direct from their owners.

The Algarve in Portugal is very popular with people that are searching for the perfect sunny beach holiday. The Algarve region is blessed with some of the best beaches in Europe and it also has a tremendous selection of self catering accommodation to rent to suite all budgets. The people are extremely friendly and the food is good and cheap. It is little wonder that the Algarve in Portugal is such a popular holiday destination with families staying in self catering holiday homes.

Golf in the Algarve

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The Algarve is a top golf holiday destination in Europe. Located in the south of Portugal, it has great all year around weather (over 300 sunny days a year) and many top golf courses. For the non golfers there are beautiful beaches, traditional villages and very hospitable people! Resorts such as Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo are the best destinations for golf holidays in Portugal with many golfing and sporting options. If you would like some party with your golf, you can go to Albufeira, where you can holiday 24/7, combining championship golf courses with a fun and adventurous nightlife. The Algarve in Portugal has the perfect weather for golfing almost all year long.

Besides bustling Albufeira, there is the charming old town of Lagos, set on one of the largest bays in the Algarve. Its 17th-century fort stands at the harbour entrance and a new marina with rows of excellent restaurants and bars draws the crowds. Alvor, an old port at the mouth of the Rio Alvor, has many traditional restaurants by the quay and a maze of cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses, shops and a few bars.

Golf holiday makers should check out the renowned Pinta Golf Course, one of the best courses in the Algarve, designed to retain natural valleys and undulations. Neighbouring Gramacho Golf Course is also excellent and both courses are free of green fees for those lucky enough to be staying at the Pestana Hotels.

Top Golf Holidays in Portugal

Quinta do Lago is a top golf holiday destination. Two of its four excellent 18-hole courses are listed among the Europe’s top 25 golf courses, and half of the 2000-acre resort comprises a residential and recreational estate, surrounded by pine forests. This beautiful area is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Ria Formosa nature reserve. Nearby is a large shopping centre with a health club, nightclubs and restaurants, and scenic countryside runs along miles of secluded beaches.

Vilamoura is also a great golf holiday destination, and is just a 20 minute drive away from Faro International Airport. Vilamoura is one of Europe’s largest sport and leisure complexes, it has golf courses, championship tennis courts, an acclaimed riding school, and fishing and shooting facilities. The resort’s large marina has many fine restaurants, cafes and shops.

Vale do Lobo, Portugal’s biggest luxury golf and beach resort, also 20 minutes from the airport at Faro, is one of Europe’s finest. Its two golf courses, the Royal Golf Course and Ocean Golf Course, provide stunning views of the coast, and its 5 km-long sandy beach, with dramatic red sandstone cliffs, provides non-golfers with seriously good beach and swimming options. The resort also offers tennis courts, a gymnasium and health and beauty centre, as well as restaurants and shops.

Golf Holidays Away From the Crowds

For a less frenetic golfing experience and a chance to enjoy nature, head east from Faro towards the Spanish border. There are many hotels not far from the airport, close to some well-designed courses. Tavira, at the mouth of the River Gilao, is a fishing port dating from Moorish times. Nearby you’ll find Reserva do Sapal, one of Portugal’s most important nature reserves. And just across the border, on the Costa de la Luz, are many more great golf courses.

As you can see the Algarve in Portugal is a golf holiday destination you can’t miss out on, it has the best golf courses in Portugal and a lot to offer for an excellent golf vacation!

Sport Activities in the Algarve

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The Algarve in Portugal is a great holiday destination and you can have a lot of fun doing sports activities here. Sitting at the beautifull Algarve beaches is fun, but you can do some adventurous sports activities too!

With its long, sandy beaches, warm waters and memorable towns, great weather all year round, it’s not wonder that holidays in the Algarve prove more popular each year. It’s tempting tourists on a cheap holiday to the Algarve to spend all their time relaxing on the beaches, enjoying the sunshine, but those that do are missing out, because the sports and activities of the Algarve are unforgettably fun.

So, what kind of activities and sports does an Algarve holiday offer? We have a few adventurous recommendations for you and they will bring out the active sportiness in everyone!

Golf in the Algarve

The Algarve in Portugal is one of the best golf holiday destinations in Europe. If you are a golf enthusiast you will surely have heard about the greatness of golf holidays in Portugal. If you want to take up the sport you can start out with a few lessons and get on the golf course! The Algarve is full of golf courses and you will be able to golf everywhere. The biggest concentration of golf courses is in the central Algarve, the region between faro and Portimão.

Surfing in the Algarve

Every part of Algarve holidays combine to make it one of the premier surfing spots of Europe, both for beginners and seasoned veterans: with pristine beaches, clean water and a handful of big wave spots, you really can pick an area to match your level. Finding lessons is no problem at all, and if you want to avoid the summer rush for your Algarve sports holiday, then you’ll be delighted to hear that the winter weather is a warm 16 degrees Celsius with hardly any wind. Learner or veteran, you’d be hard pushed to find a better spot to surf in Europe! If you are a surfer you should definetly look to spend your holidays in Lagos, as it is a surfer’s hang out, and there are a lot of surf schools if you want to learn the sport. You will also have a lot of fun in the easy going night life in Lagos.

Paragliding in the Algarve

With just you, your apparatus and miles of open sky, there can be few places in the world as perfect for paragliding as the Algarve in Portugal. The sport is available throughout the region with lessons and equipment hire and, though a little daunting for beginners, few can deny that the Algarve’s stunning cliffs and beach landscapes could not look better from any other angle.

Skydiving in the Algarve

This is another one that’s not for the everyone, but those that do take on the sport in the Algarve will not be disappointed. The region’s clear blue skies combine with the stunning beaches, countryside and waters to burn an incredible image of the beauty of the region into your memory, which will last for years after you’re back on solid ground.

Kayaking in the Algarve

Sea kayaking certainly isn’t for everyone, but it’s the only Algarve activity that really allows you to explore the region’s stunning caves and inlets! The best way to see the secluded sights of the cliff face is with an experienced kayaking guide, but finding one happy to show you around is rarely a problem!

Microlighting

Anyone who found the other Algarve sports in this list a little too much for them should look away now! For those that aren’t aware, microlighting is like hang gliding… only with a small engine attached! Those who are intrigued by the sound of the sport should look no further than the Algarve for the activity. The clear skies make for majestic views of the Portuguese coast, with its stunning blue oceans, rocky shores and gorgeous countryside: the perfect backdrop for your adventure.

Mountain Biking

Less unusual and extreme than the other Algarve activities in this list, mountain bike holidays in the region are invigorating and enjoyable nevertheless. The beauty of a mountain biking Algarve holiday is the variety it provides, and the lack of instruction. If you feel confident enough, there’s nothing to stop you freewheeling down the side of a mountain with the wind in your hair, but alternatively a relaxed ride through the hillside trails and along the coastline is the perfect way to take in the stunning scenery with less blurry vision!

Rock Climbing

You can’t beat the isolated feel of rock climbing in the Algarve. The activity is the perfect way to take in parts of the region off the beaten track, from deserted craggy beaches to secluded sea cliffs, and if you have the mental and physical stamina to rock climb, then there’s few spots as idyllic. Unlike rock climbing on training walls, those with the energy to make it all the way to the top are rewarded with a view that is nothing short of breathtaking!

Scuba Diving

With some of the cleanest waters in Europe, some interesting marine life, fascinating shipwrecks and atmospheric caves, an Algarve holiday is the perfect place to start a lifelong obsession with the magic of scuba diving. This isn’t to say that Portugal is just for those new to the sport, and there’s certainly enough here for experienced divers to take in and enjoy, but the selection of local instructors and warm clear waters make this the perfect place to make a start… if you can draw yourself away from the beach.

All these options present a great introduction to activities in the Algarve, but for some you just won’t be able to beat the peace and tranquillity of lying on those beautiful beaches: there’s a reason they’re so closely associated with holidays in the Algarve in Portugal!

Property Investment in Portugal

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If you are looking for an property investment in Portugal you have surely thought about the Algarve. The Algarve is located in the south of Portugal and it is known for its beatifull beaches, hospitable people, great weather, top golf courses and much more.

The Central Algarve is the most visited of all the parts of this region, it is located between the two largest cities in the region, Faro and Portimão, and has kilometers of beaches and lots of activities to for tourists and residents.

The climate is great, with over 300 days of sunshine a year, with a hot Summer, and a moderate temperature Spring and Autumn making it the perfect destination for golfers and suitable for all outdoor activities. The winter is cool and wet, and it is the prefered Winter spot for people from colder countries in Northern Europe.

The Central Algarve stretches from the west of Faro to the east of Portimão, near Lagoa. The area is about 50 kilometers wide, so everything within close range, and the rest of the Algarve is easy to reach as well. This section of the Algarve, which is a great property investment zone, is well known for its resorts, and the towns of Albufeira, Sesmarias, Vilamoura and Quarteira are a few of the more popular seaside resorts for foreigners. This is the area of the Algarve with the best golf courses and resorts, so if you are a golfer you will have a lot of courses to choose from and be at a central location to explore the rest of the Algarve. In Loulé and Lagoa you can find the best places to do a property investment in Portugal.

The best property investments in Portugal are located in the Central Algarve, as in most of the entire region, is focused along the coastal areas. There are many new developments and resorts, and you can find a wide variety of housing and property for sale. Golf is very popular in this part of the Algarve, so if you want to find a golf resort development or property investment, 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.

Albufeira is a popular seaside town with lots of local properties and several resorts as well, making it interesting for property investment in Portugal. There are more property investment areas near the coast, like Sermarias, Carvoeiro and Quarteira. If you go a little bit inland you can find the towns of Loulé 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.

The Algarve is a great place for property investment in Portugal because you can get here easy and without much costs. The best way is to fly to Faro Airport (FAO) which is located 7 kilometers west of the city of Faro in the southeast part of the 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.

There are many airlines flying to Faro, including low cost airlines.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. As you can see the Algarve is a great place to do a property investment in Portugal, we hope to see you here!

10 Great Algarve Beaches

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If you are considering coming to the Algarve for your holidays in Portugal you have surely heard about the beautifull beaches. I had written a small article about a few nice beaches in the Algarve and now I am writing this more extensive article because of an email I received from a reader!

The Algarve has great weather, more than 160km of beaches and and there are a lot of nice beaches and also a few secret spots.

Praia da Dona Ana

The beautiful beach of Praia da Dona Ana is has crystalline waters and during the summer 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 meters long and is accessible through a stairway. In the low 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.

Praia da Ilha de Tavira

In Tavira you can visit the Praia da Ilha de Tavira, often locally referred to as Praia das Cascas. This Algarve beach 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.

Praia dos Barcos in Albufeira

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.

Praia do Amado in Carrapateira

Carrapateira is home to Praia do Armado beach - one of Portugal’s premier surfing spots and its surf school enjoys international patronage.

Many of the people that attend these surf schools stay in a town called Lagos, that takes about a 20 minute drive to get there. Lagos is a nice and cozy town very popular with backpackers and sufers. There are a lot of young Autralian, Canadian, British and American tourists here.

This west coast beach is also popular with families whose children are attracted to the many rock pools that become visible at low tide.

Praia da Rocha in Portimão

In 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.

This beach is right in front of Portimão City and has easy access and lots of night life and entertainment in the vicinity.

Praia de São Rafael in Albufeira

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. This beach is usually not as crouded as the beaches right in front of the Albufeira town, so if you want to go to a more quiet beach this will be the right choice.

Praia de Odeceixe

One of the Algarve in Portugal’s best kept secrets, Praia de Odeceixe is a crescent-shaped beach is just a short distance from the quaint village of Odeceixe. This beach is a bit different from the others because of its stone formations.

Another nice detail is that it has a small river stream comming through on the north part of the beach.

If you are feeling a bit too hot during the heat waves in the Algarve, a trip to Praia de Odeceixe is well worth it, as it is always a few degrees fresher than in the other beaches, nice and refreshing!

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.

Praia da Marinha in Benagil

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.

Praia da Figueira near Salema

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.

Meia Praia in Lagos

Another of the great beaches in the Algarve is 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.

Car Rental in Portugal

Posted by Algarve Portugal

When you are come on holidays to the Algarve in Portugal and want to explore the region the best thing you can do it to get a car rental. You can get the rental cars at Faro Airport or at your hotel and it will make your life very easy during your holidays. In the Algarve there is virtually no traffic congestion and the public transports are not that great. That way a car rental will save you time and make you enjoy your holidays to the fullest.

When planning your holidays to the Algarve in Portugal, you should consider a car hire or rental car. Renting a car in Portugal can give more freedom and flexibility when you’re traveling, especially if you don’t wan’t to depend on a slow public transportation system. When you decide to get a rental car it can sometimes add complications to your holiday, for example, where to find the cheapest car rental in Portugal and picking the right insurance options. I will give you four practical tips so you can get the best car rental at the cheapest price while avoinding any problems with the car hire.

Choosing a Car Rental in Portugal

When you are choosing a car rental in Portugal think about what car you will need.. Are you traveling with children or with a lot of luggage or golf bags? If you are just looking to get the cheapest deal to save money on car rentals you should ask for the smallest available model. There are other details you should have in mind like can you drive car with manual transmission? If not be sure to ask if they have cars with automatic gears before you make a reservation. In Portugal, a manual transmission is the norm so ask beforehand.

Booking Your Car Rental in Portugal

An important factor is how long you will rent the car. If you are renting a car for less than a week, you’ll better with a big car rental companies, like Avis, or Hertz. For rentals of a week or longer, you can get better rates from local companies, particularly auto dealers. Your should be carefull when you rent with local companies if you plan to drive a lot. If you have any problems like a break down or an accident, they usually lack the support services that the big companies have.

To lower your car rental rate, ask for discounts or special offers, because you can get lucky and get a better price or a free upgrade.

If you are booking online be sure to search the internet for coupons and discount deals for that specific rental company. Just type the name of the company and followed by coupon and search the results. Sometimes you can save up to 20% with these special car rental discount codes.

Understanding Your Car Rental

If you are making you car rental reservation online, do read the terms and conditions before confirming the reservation. Be sure you understand the conditions of your reservation. Always get a confirmation number. For airport rentals and give the customer service representative your flight number with the scheduled arrival time. This will usually protect your reservation if the flight is delayed.

Picking Up Your Car Rental

When you arrive to the Algarve in Portugal and your first drive with you car rental is from theairport to your hotel, why not take a shuttle van to the hotel instead? If you do this you can save a day on the car rental, think about it, normally you never drive on the first day of your holiday, because you are exploring the hotel and its surroundings. Even if you have to drive on the same day of your flight, you can still choose to get the rental car at the Faro Airport or at your hotel.

Before you drive away from the car rental company, inspect the rental car carefully for body damage. Be sure the lights and turn signals are working properly, and check the mileage odometer. You should report any defects at once, so you don’t get blamed later.

Spend a few minutes getting familiar with the workings of the car before you leave the car rental company. Check which side your gas tank is on, and learn how to use the headlights, windshield wipers and turn signal. You should also memorize the make, model and color of your car so you don’t lose it the first time you park in a busy lot! Just take a picture of the rental car with you cell phone!

Returning Your Rental Car

It is always best that you fill the tank yourself before returning the vehicle so that you’re only paying for the amount of gas you actually used. The gas stations near the Faro Airport have the same prices as the other ones, so don’t wory that you are paying more for the gasoline, the price are more or less even everywhere you go.

When returning the rental car be sure to check it for personal belongings. Don’t forget to check the trunk! The most common lost articles include cell phones and sunglasses.

Be sure that the check-in attendant inspects the car’s body in your presence and that you agree about any damage. Examine your rental agreement carefully for all charges and make sure they credit any deposit to your account at that time.

If you are on holidays in the Algarve in Portugal a rental car is advised, because if you are going to count on the public transportation system you will spend a lot of time waiting for busses, and if you have to make connections it will be even worse!

Beaches in Algarve Portugal

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The Algarve in Portugal has more than 60 miles of coastline along the west of Portugal and offers some of Europe’s best bathing spots. The Algarve in Portugal has an amazing variety of beaches for all kinds of holidays and has great weather all year long.

The Algarve’s extensive coastline has many interesting and fun attractions for the Algarve in Portugal holiday maker, ranging from excellent cuisine with all the amazing seafood specialties, it’s no surprise the Portuguese are the biggest fish consumers in Europe.

The Algarve in Portugal is best known by the people from the United Kingdom, they have been taking cheap Algarve holidays since the 1970s. The Algarve has changed a lot but some areas have escaped overdevelopment and are perfect for lazy beach holidays or energetic surfing trips.

Here are some of the best spots to lay out your beach towel and picnic basket on a cheap Algarve holiday.

Alvor beach, Algarve Portugal

Beach Alvor Algarve PortugalThe town of Alvor was once a small fishing village. These days it is still quieter than most of the Algarve holiday resorts and offers a great getaway for families or couples.

Amongst the area’s attractions are its long and wide uncrowned beach and great restaurants along the waterfront where freshly caught bream, bass and cuttlefish are fried on enormous barbecues.

A short walk over the dunes from Alvor is Meia Praia, a four-mile crescent of soft white sand curving toward the city of Lagos. Meia Praia becomes a boisterous family beach near the town where locals take a rowboat ferry across the narrow Bensafrim river to reach the sands.

Lagos, Algarve Portugal

Beach Lagos Algarve PortugalLagos has a very special atmosphere, with its river mouth fortress and medieval walls. Its narrow streets fill up with Algarve Portugal holiday makers on summer nights and it has a youthful, barhopping crowd who use the city as base camp for surfing trips.

There’s also culture to be found in Lagos. There are art galleries and open-air concerts beneath the city walls. The church of Santo Antonio is lined with intricate woodcarvings coated in gold leaf plundered from Brazil and you can also visit the Museum.

Running south from Lagos is the Costa d’Oiro - the golden coast - a string of sandy coves tucked among crumbling sandstone cliffs leading the saltwater caves and weird rock formations at the Ponta da Piedade headland - the ideal place to watch the sun set on a romantic Algarve Portugal holiday.

At the restored market hall in Lagos, the array of freshly caught seafood is dazzling, from tiny sardines and baby squid to the great snakelike silver scabbard fish or torpedo-sized tuna fishes.

Surfing spots in Algarve Portugal

Surf Algarve PortugalHead to the west and the coast begins to get wilder. The beach at Algarve’s Martinhal resort, near the town of Sagres, rises to a mountainous sand dune that is exposed to powerful winds, and this makes it a challenging favorite for windsurfers.

North of Sagres, the coast has some of Europe’s best spots for surfing. The rugged, wind-swept landscape here seems a world away from the gentle waters and almond and citrus groves that can be found in the centre of the Algarve in Portugal.

The beaches here are remote and undeveloped, but are great for those hoping to ride the waves, or simply to get away from the crowds to soak up the sun and the sound of the surf on a more remote and empty Algarve Portugal beach.

Hotels in the Algarve Portugal

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The Algarve in Portugal is a great all year around holiday destination and it has luxury hotels to match. If you are in the Algarve for family holidays, beach holidays, surf or golf holidays, you will not be disappointed with all that the region as to offer in terms of weather, hospitable people and nice beaches and views.

As a tourist you many accommodation options in the Algarve, ranging from apartment or villa rentals, to hostels and hotels. In terms of Algarve Portugal hotels, there is a lot of choice ranging from 4 to 5 star hotels and also a lot of 3 start hotels and apartment hotels. In this article I will talk more about 5 star luxury hotels and give a few recommendations about the best hotels the Algarve has to offer.

Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa - Armação de Pêra, Algarve Portugal

The Vila Vita is a five star resort with a spa, member of the Leading Hotels of the World and it is located right by the sea, offering spectacular views of the Atlantic ocean. The hotel is located right in front of the beach and is a 22 hectares of impeccably sub tropical gardens, you can enjoy a multitude of culinary dishes in the 9 seasonal restaurants, both in the estate and outside of the estate. The hotel also has 5 themed bars and lounges and have one gourmet restaurant that will have a Michelin Star in the short future. The Vila Vita Hotel has one of the best wine cellars in the Algarve and you can take advantage of other luxuries such as a private yacht that can be used for special events in your holidays.

The Vila Vita offers baby sitting for children and infants from 3 months up to 12 years old, making it perfect for the parents to have and afternoon or day to themselves. The hotel also has a mini golf and a small 18hole golf course.

The Vila Vita Parc Resort & Spa is located in Alporchinhos, near Armação de Pêra. Armação de Pêra was formerly a fisherman’s village and is a great holiday destination, with great beaches and a central location to visit the rest of the Algarve.

Vila Lara Thalassa Resort - Armação de Pêra, Algarve Portugal

The Vilalara is one of the oldest hotels in the Algarve and it has a history of excellence and luxury. This hotel is located in Alporchinhos, near Armação de Pêra and it is located by the shore and has a private beach access. The Vilalara is well known for its Thalasso, Spa and beauty treatments, and is a great choice if you want absolute relaxation. The hotel is located in a 11 hectare estate with beautiful botanical gardens, the natural beauty of this place is just breathtaking. The hotel has a special diet restaurant to go with the thalasso treatment plans, that way you will leave the hotel feeling years younger.

The Vilalara was renovated last year and the rooms are in pristine condition, laid out through the botanical gardens you will feel great when you breathe in the ocean breeze mixed with the scents of the botanical gardens. The hotel has 4 restaurants and 3 bars. There is the Gastronomic Restaurant, The Grill, Diet Restaurant and a Snack Bar. The bars are located at the Thalasso Spa, near the Gastronomic Restaurant and one bar is located on the beach.

Hilton As Castatas - Vilamoura, Algarve Portugal

The Hilton As Castatas is located in an estate of 5 hectares of beautiful romantic gardens. This resort opened in 2007 and it is an incredible hotel, it has enormous heated pools, hanging gardens, cascading waterways, grottos and pavillions creating a complete sense of serenity.

The hotel has a modern architecture with Moorish accents, keeping with the Vilamoura heritage. There Hilton As Cascatas has a Spa that is the largest in Portugal and is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment. This hotel and resort is perfect for familys with children, because there is a kid’s club with its own restaurant, outdoor pool, tree house, football field, and much more to keep the youngsters happy.
The Hilton As Castatas is close to the Falésia Beach, where you can bathe in the sun and do a variety of water sports and leisure activities.
There is a shopping centre close by, with a great variety of shops, bars and restaurants, and the friendly staff at the hotel will arrange for many leisure activities on request – from horse riding to an international casino.

Hotel Quinta do Lago - Almancil, Algarve Portugal

The Hotel Quinta do Lago is one of the Algarve and Portugal’s most famous hotels. This hotel is located near the Ria Formosa, and has a beautiful view on the estuary, which is a natural reserve. The Hotel Quinta do Lago is only a short drive away from the Faro Airport and it offers a great all year round holiday spot for the tourist that is expecting the best services and luxury. This hotel offers a peaceful and calm environment, and is located in just minutes away of Portugal’s and Europe’s best golf courses.


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