Sightseeing in Algarve - what to see. Complete travel guide

Algarve is one of the most beautiful places in Europe that captivates from the first minute. Spacious white beaches, green hills, orange groves and fragrance of blooming almond make it a real paradise. Every town of the province features ancient historical monuments, including majestic forts, graceful churches and cathedrals, unusual residential buildings and squares. The mild climate prevails in southern Portugal, so travelers have an opportunity to relax at resorts of the Algarve literally all year round.

It should be noted that 50 years ago local resorts weren’t very popular. In the mid20th century the coast has first welcomed tourists from England; every year the number of visitors increased. This inevitably led to construction of new hotel complexes and luxury hotels, but it hasn’t affected the unique nature of the province. The coast of Algarve is considered one of the cleanest in Europe.

The capital of the province is the city of Faro; it is famous due to its numerous landmarks, including ancient cathedrals and churches. St. Francis Church, Monastery of the Assumption of the Virgin, the Carmelite Church, Church of St. Peter and the Gothic Cathedral impress with their grandeur and beauty. In addition to architectural objects, visitors could visit local museums; one of them is dedicated to Henry the Navigator and demonstrates a unique exhibition of objects associated with the great explorer’s campaigns. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In the suburban area of Faro there are ruins of Alkalar necropolis dating back to the 16th century BC, as well as the ruins of a Roman settlement. Nature lovers can’t ignore Parque Natural da Ria Formosa featuring scenic lagoons and channels, where you can see unique plants, pink flamingos and storks - the main inhabitants of these places.

Each resort of Algarve offers a large selection of entertainment options, including sports. Golf courses, tennis courts, sports centers and water parks can be found literally everywhere. Active guests will enjoy local sports facilities, gourmets will be delighted by seafood and shoppers would fall in love with colorful markets. No one would be bored in Algarve.

Algarve will definitely impress fans of peaceful beach recreation, as well as fans of water sports and active entertainments. In the region, there are a lot of beaches, most of which are marked with the Blue Flag, a high environmental reward. At the coast of big resorts, there are upscale water centers, some of which are included in the list of the best centers in Europe.

Besides water centers, you can visit tennis and golf clubs. There are also four top-rated water parks here. Their interesting peculiarity is that their visitors can sunbathe on special terraces covered with soft lawn grass. There are also traditional terraces with loungers. The three most popular water parks are located in the surroundings of Vilamoura. Right at the resort, there is the biggest yacht club in Europe.

The resort of Quarteira is very popular with young tourists and those who want to have fun all day and night long. It also attracts travelers with its charming beaches. In the immediate surroundings of the coast, there are multiple restaurants and cafes. When it gets dark, they are illuminated with neon lights. The greatest disco in the region, Qadoc, is held here.

Gourmets should certainly spend several days in Albufeira. This city is famous for its upscale national restaurants where you can taste the most popular sea delicacies. The famous national dish is cataplana cooked of several shellfish and fish species. National restaurants offer interesting dishes of sea bass and sardines. These dishes are cooked in different ways.

To taste unusual national specialties, many travelers visit local markets. There is a wide choice of seasonal vegetables and fruit. In fish markets, you can buy fresh seafood. The perfect place for food tourism is the resort of Vale do Lobo. World-famous celebrities have already taken fancy to it for many years of its existence. Besides a wonderful beach and multiple sports centers, there are excellent restaurants at the resort. Most of them are holders of prestigious awards. At the resort, there are restaurants of different food directions.