Algarve Holiday
Glorious sunshine, warm seas and plenty of beaches - the Algarve is the perfect destination for summer holidays.
Traditions and culture in the Algarve
The region has long been a settlement for newcomers, stretching back around 3,000 years to the arrival of the Phoenicians, who established a number of trading posts.
Portugal became a major imperial power when Prince Henry the Navigator set up camp in Sagres and had ships built and staffed in Lagos for his 15th-century explorations of Africa and Asia.
Fast forward to modern times, and the Algarve became particularly popular among holidaying Britons from the 1960s, while Germans, Dutch and Irish travellers also regularly arrive on its shores.
Things to do in the Algarve
It would be fair to say that most people taking their a holiday in the Algarve arrive with the intention of chilling out and soaking up some sun on one of its numerous beaches.
These include the Praia de Luz and the Armacao de Pera, while a well-known spa town is Caldas de Monchique.
There are a number of impressive sights to be taken in, with the region noted for its picturesque limestone caves - particularly around Lagos - plus its natural bays and dramatic cliff formations.
With such an influx of tourists, the region has also created an extensive network of golf courses, so anyone deciding to take their clubs with them will not be disappointed.
As such, the nightlife also tends to be fairly lively, although this may not necessarily be ideal for anyone wanting to get away from boisterous Britons.
One of the main reasons that the Algarve has become so popular is its relatively inexpensive prices, so as such finding a cheap hotel should be straightforward - although the traveller with a bit more disposable income is also catered for.
Weather in the Algarve
The weather is another huge draw for people taking a summer holiday, with very mild winters and temperatures never dropping below freezing.
Indeed, the average temperature in the winter months is around 15C, while the average temperature to be expected in the summer is 30C, although the mercury can tip 40C on certain scorching days.
Destination checklist for the Algarve
The Algarve has a population of around 465,000.
The region is one hour ahead of BST time.
The official currency is the euro.
Portuguese is the official language spoken.
The Algarve's international dialling code is +351.
