Algarve. Portugal Golden age centre.

Discover the broad sweep of the rich cultural and historical legacy, bestowed upon the region by civilizations such as the Moors and the Romans. Such memories can be traced through the monuments, traditions, architecture and, of course, all the habits and customs of the people of the Algarve, with their well-deserved reputation for warm welcomes and fine hospitality.

The golden age of the Portuguese Discovery Voyages placed the Algarve at the centre of some key events in those great adventures that opened up new worlds to the West. 

Setting sail from Lagos and Sagres were the caravels of Prince Henry the Navigator and explorers such as Gil Eanes, a renowned Algarvian honored for his daring feats.

With its landscape enriched by such history, the Algarve has progressed in modern times, subtly preserving this fine blend of different forms of knowledge and culture.

Influenced by a diverse range of cultures, the Algarve has blended the habits of its people with the customs imported from many far off destinations. Such an approach has resulted in the rich Algarve art and handicraft. The studios and workshops of artists and craftsmen produce the wide variety of articles that you will find on display in craft shops across the region. They feature all the truly impressive regional range of articles made of copper, wrought iron, wood, cork, ceramic, tile and clay, in addition to all the basketwork, delightful examples of bone lace, coverlets, and rag or jute dolls – the famous Martinlongo dolls.

In architecture, the lacework-patterned chimneys, fascias and roof terraces serve as testimony to the heritage of popular artistic styles.

Music and dancing merge in local folklore traditions and express all that is most authentic in Algarve culture. The ‘baile mandado’ with its spoken steps, the twirling ‘baile de roda’ and the contagious pace of the ‘corridinho’ are some of the most popular dances in the Algarve, enjoyed by both local people and visitors alike.

Festivals and religious celebrations are public expressions of the bonds that still bind modern Algarve to its roots. Throughout the region, ancient traditions are still celebrated in recognition of the fruits of both the land and the sea. The Fisherman’s Festival in Albufeira, with its century-old traditional games, is an event held in honor of the men that sail out from these shores. 

The Seafood Festival in Olhão and the Sardine Festival in Portimão are two of the leading gastronomic events that further evoke the ties with the sea and the longstanding fishing traditions of the Algarve people.

The Mãe Soberana (Sovereign Mother) Festival in Loulé and the Hallelujah Festival – including the procession of Flowered Torches – in São Brás de Alportel are two of the largest religious festivals in the Algarve and fill the streets with processions and religious music.

The Nights of the Enchanted Moorish Maiden in Cacela Velha, the Mediaeval Days in Castro Marim and the 16th-century Fair held in Lagos recreate scenes and events from times long gone.

Discover! Enjoy.

 by visitportugal 

Algarve in Portugal - an idyllic year-round destination.

The Algarve, derived from the Arabic term ‘Al Gharb’ meaning ‘The West’, is situated in the extreme south of Portugal. The region is a delight to visit all year round with golden sandy beaches on the coast offering a haven for sun seekers whilst the sleepy hillside villages further inland offer peace and tranquillity for those looking to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.

Must See

Resorts including Albufeira, Armação de Pêra, Praia da Rocha, and Vilamoura, are among the Algarve's main holiday destinations. Offering an excellent selection of accommodation, beaches, entertainment and a variety of nightlife ranging from cabaret shows at casinos to lively discos and quaint, welcoming bars, it is no surprise that the Algarve has visitors coming back year after year.

The coastal city of Faro is the region’s capital. Faro stands out as an important commercial, artistic and ncultural centre. Often simply passed through by visitors as a gateway, the city in fact offers fascinating architecture as part of the region’s rich history.

Sagres, on the western coast was the place where Infante D. Henrique (Henry the Navigator) founded a school of navigation during the 15th century thus instigating a culture of maritime exploration. Moving east, Henry the Navigator also had a great influence in Lagos. Set in one of the largest bays in the Algarve, Lagos was once an important naval centre and is now an attractive, bustling town. Evidence of its important naval history is still visible today with a large statue of Henry the Navigator gazing out to sea situated in one of the town’s main squares

Despite being most famous for its sandy beaches, the inland villages of the Algarve offer visitors peace and quiet in its lush green hills. The cork and oak forests are a haven for nature lovers and provide the natural habitat for the Iberian Lynx, now an endangered species. Just as interesting are the Algarve mountains of Serra de Monchique where you can relax at the natural thermal spa of Termas de Monchique once described as ‘sacred’ by the Romans.

Tavira, situated on the edge of the Ria Formosa Nature Park, is a must-see for visitors to this area of the Algarve. This pretty town is abundant with historic churches and fine mansions as well as a plethora of excellent restaurants where you can sample delicious local seafood.

Once a rich and powerful city, today Silves is a sleepy town lying in the foothills of the Serra de Monchique mountains. Believed to have been founded by the Phoenicians, its cathedral and red sandstone castle remind visitors of its rich and industrious Moorish past, which came to an end after a three-month siege led by King Sancho I in 1189.

Silves boasts the best preserved castle in the Algarve. Built on the site of the 11th-century Palace of the Verandahs, its turreted walls dominate the town and provide panoramic views over the surrounding countryside. The town's 13th-century Gothic Cathedral, built on the site of a former mosque, contains a number of Crusader tombs and a jasper statue of Nossa Senhora da Conceição believed to date from the 14th century.

Vila Real de Santo António is 53 miles (85km) east of Faro and is neatly designed on a geometric grid system. Radiating out from the central square, the Praca Marquês de Pombal with its dramatic paved radial mosaic floor and central obelisk is edged with orange trees. The town is on the west bank of the River Guadiana. Back in the 17th century the original town was flooded by the sea, and was rebuilt by the Marquês de Pombal who had rebuilt Lisbon after the 1755 earthquake. The reconstruction was completed in just five months leaving a tidy town with streets lined by elegant 18th century townhouses, and a long esplanade along the riverbank where strollers can enjoy an impressive view. Visitors can take river tours inland along the Guadiana River from Vila Real de Santo António.

Wherever you opt on going, for sure you will discover really fascinating places and amazing gastronomy, and your experience in beautiful Algarve is just meant to be excellent.

by turismodoalgarve

Enjoying life in Algarve, Portugal - great fun, festivals and events!

In February each year there is a carnival being celebrated in most parts of the Algarve, but none has such a deeply rooted tradition as the Loulé Carnival.

The city fills up with colour as visitors and locals gather to watch the vibrant parade. This procession of colourful floats with over-sized puppets, samba groups and lots of music is a huge festivity in the region.

For five days, the Med Festival brings life and excitement to the streets of Loulé’s historic centre at the beginning of the summer (June). World music originating from Morocco and various southern European countries such as Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal as well as other forms of art, including handicraft exhibitions, dance performances and street theatre will keep any visitor enthralled.

A paradise for seafood lovers, the annual Festival do Marisco is held in August each year in the Jardim do Pescador Olhanense in the town of Olhão just five kilometres east of Faro and the gateway to the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

One of the most important gastronomic events in the Algarve calendar, the Festival do Marisco, is an opportunity for local fishermen to proudly display their catch on one of the hundreds of stalls that line the fishing port. Offering visitors the chance to sample some of the local delicacies, a wide range of seafood is available ranging from grilled sardines to fried shrimps and of course the traditional cataplana, a much-loved Portuguese dish. Music and folk dancing accompany the festival with performers encouraging both locals and visitors to eat, drink and enjoy the superb atmosphere.

At the end of August, Castro Marim and Silves return to the Middle Ages in a historical re-enactment.

During four days and nights the castle of Castro Marim once again plays host to kings and queens, knights in shining armour, jesters, buffoons, noblemen and ladies as the entire court takes part in a procession.

Jousting tournaments – on foot and on horseback – street theatre performances, banquets accompanied by medieval music and a handicrafts and merchandise fair complement the entertainment enabling visitors to relive the magic and mystery of times gone by.

by turismoportugal