Atlantic Ocean Europe

Africa

Imagine a place overlooking the Atlantic

PORTUGAL

Ocean where you cannot escape a

“Mediterranean” feel all around, with over
300 days of sunshine and a mild climate.
A place where every day is different and time
algarve seems to have a different pace.
A place with 200 km of beaches to discover
where you can witness some of the most
breath-taking sunsets you can imagine.
So amazing that your heart almost stops.
A land with incredible nature and diverse
landscapes, remarkable golf courses, quality
cuisine, wines, spas, thermal treatments,
theme parks for the whole family and
different accommodation options.
All of this and much more easily reached.
Welcome and discover by yourself
why the Algarve is still the best
kept secret in Europe.

01
algarve
Alentejo
Alcoutim

Martinlongo

Spain
Odeceixe

São Marcos
Serra de Monchiq
Monchiquee da Serra Ameixial Publisher and Copyright Owner
Algarve Tourism Bureau
Registered Office:
Serra do Caldeirão Cachopo Odeleite Av. 5 de Outubro, nº 18
Monte Aljezur 8000-076 Faro, Portugal
Marmelete Monchique
Clérigo
Tel: (+351) 289 800 403
São Bartolomeu Fax: (+351) 289 800 466
Arrifana de Messines E-mail: [email protected]
Rocha Salir
Alte da Pena Castro www.algarvepromotion.pt
Marim
onte da Querença
Fonte Coordination
Benémolala Vila Real de Marketing Department
Paderne Sto. António [email protected]
Silves Algoz
Bordeira Monte Gordo Texts
Bensafrim São Brás Cacelha Event Point
Lagoa de Alportel Velha Photography
Loulé Tavira
Portimão Porches
Archive of Algarve Tourism Bureau,
Algarve Tourism Bureau members,
Lagos Albufeira Almancil
Carvoeiro Estoi Algarve Tourism Board, Via Algarviana,
Vila do Bispo Armação Ilha de Fado com História, Georg Schreier
Luz de Pera Vilamoura Tavira and Telma Veríssimo
Fuseta
Quarteira
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Vale NEWINGS design agency
Sagres do Lobo
Quinta Faro
do Lago Olhão Printing
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Distribution
Free
Ilha
1 2 3 4 5
Deserta Edition
2017
0 km 5 km 10 km
AREA POPULATION AVERAGE TEMP. COASTLINE OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
5 412 km 2
451 005 Air 200 km Portuguese
Censos 2011 Summer: 24ºC to 29ºC bordering the
Winter: 15ºC to 18ºC Atlantic Ocean
Sea
Summer: 21ºC to 24ºC
Winter: 15ºC to 19ºC

BEACHES SURF/ HISTORIC GOLF NATURAL AREAS TRADITIONAL THERMAL THEME PARKS
WINDSURF HERITAGE CUISINE TREATMENTS

DIVING HANDICRAFT WALKING/HIKING FINE DINING & SPA

/TRAIL MICHELIN STARS

BOAT TOUR EVENTS BIKING/CYCLING WINE TASTING

DOLPHIN & NIGHTLIFE BIRDWATCHING

WHALE WATCHING

AIRPORT

ECOVIA
FOLK & FADO SUSTAINABLE
DESTINATION VIA ALGARVIANA
 White sandy beaches with clear waters.
A dream trip cannot exist without them.

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In the Algarve you find all sorts of
beaches. At the west point you have Sagres
and Costa Vicentina (Vicentina coast),
rocky and wavy, a truly paradise on Earth
for surfers. Here you can also watch the
most famous sunset in Europe, at Cape St.
Vincent.

Going east, secluded beaches surrounded

by cliffs of incredible shapes and golden
shades, amazing for water sports. And the
vibrant blue waters and colourful cliffs will
follow you till the East part of the Algarve.
Great extensions of white sand dominate
the landscape in the east where the shallow
peaceful waters are a perfect match for
families with children. And if you want There are more than one hundred beaches
to take a boat to romance in deserted waiting for you, perfect to be with your
islands, not accessible by car or foot, your family, to practise sports, for those with
destination is Ria Formosa. reduced mobility or for those looking for
the Blue Flag, a symbol for excellence.
Or even for those who enjoy a walk, feeling
the water on their feet and are fascinated
by the soft light in the mornings or sunsets,
turning each corner into a magical haven.

COME AND FIND OUT WHY

WE HAVE MORE THAN ONCE
BEEN CONSIDERED THE BEST
BEACH DESTINATION IN
EUROPE.

Algarve Beach Guide | www.visitalgarve.pt

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 The beautiful Algarve is known for its turquoise ocean,
for its waves on the west coast and amazing spots
for swimming, fishing and even diving.

04
If you are into surf or windsurf follow the
waves of Costa Vicentina; there is always a
perfect spot, no matter if you are a rookie or
an experienced surfer. Try asking the local
surfers for their hidden paradises –
you’ll be amazed. IF YOU ARE A WATER SPORT
ENTHUSIAST LOOK FOR PRAIA
Don’t worry if you need lessons, there
are plenty of surf schools both in Costa DA ROCHA IN PORTIMÃO,
Vicentina and in Portimão, willing to help RIA FORMOSA OR ILHA DE
you get started and find your balance to
TAVIRA, IN THE EAST.
ride your first wave.
05
 For the diver in you, Portimão is the place to
be. Four ships of the Portuguese Navy were
sunk here and transformed into artificial
reefs. Today they are inhabited by the
most amazing species of flora and marine
fauna you can imagine. This unique spot
in Europe is heaven for all scuba divers and
those who aspire to be.

Further east, shoals of tuna await you in the

open sea near Olhão. A diving experience
like no other.

AND WHAT ABOUT

SEAHORSES IN RIA FORMOSA?
DID YOU KNOW THESE WATERS
HOLD THE LARGEST
COMMUNITY IN THE WORLD
OF THESE AMAZING BEINGS?

06
To complete the whole sea experience, take
a boat to reach spots all over the Algarve
coast. It is a nice way to discover all the
different landscapes that make this a
unique destination.

You will be amazed with how the sea

changes its colours as you go from small to
bigger waves or in some places to a kind of
peaceful lake.
IF YOU WANT TO GET
And if you are lucky, you will get to meet
dolphins and whales along your journey.
EXTRAVAGANT GO ON A SAIL
Look carefully as you pass Lagos, Albufeira, BOAT RIDE FOR TWO,
Faro and Olhão. WITH ON BOARD MASSAGE.
RELAXED ALREADY?

Sea | www.algarvepromotion.pt

07
 If you are a history lover you would
want to know that The Algarve name comes
from the Arabic “Al Gharb” meaning “The West” .

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But even before the Moors were driven out
by Sancho II, Phoenicians, Carthaginians,
Greeks, Romans, Goths, Maghrebins and
Mauritanians crossed these lands leaving
their marks. The result, inevitably, was a
mix of cultures, traditions, heritage and
art.

You can still be a part of this historical

heritage within the walls of a convent or a
church, inside a fortress or visiting several
museums. The traces of these ancient
people can be found both on the coast,
where the sea dives into the horizon, and
in the inlands, where the mountain takes
shelter.

TAKE YOUR MAP AND MARK

THESE PLACES: ALJEZUR,
SAGRES, LAGOS, SILVES, LOULÉ,
VILAMOURA, FARO, ESTOI,
TAVIRA, CASTRO MARIM.
FIND OUT WHY THEY ARE THE
KEY TO UNDERSTAND THIS
REGION. THE LOCALS WILL BE
GLAD TO HELP YOU.

Guide to Cultural Heritage | www.visitalgarve.pt

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 If you ever wondered how basket and pots
are made, look no further. Loulé recently
created the Creative Tourism concept,
which allows you to learn the craft working
side by side with real artisans. And the best
thing is that you can take your work of art
home with you.

Did know that Portugal is the world’s

leading cork producer?
Plenty of it is found in the Algarve.
Remember this while opening your next
bottle of champagne... Cork, along with
pottery and basketry, are the source of
much of our craft, which continues to be
produced. You can find it mainly in the
towns of Porches, São Brás, Loulé and
Alcoutim.

If you want a piece of local action, we

have something for you on our calendar
of festivals and events. Fans of music,
gastronomy, medieval history, sports,
Carnival, religious celebrations, or sand
sculptures, go to Portimão, Silves, Lagoa,
Loulé, Faro, Olhão, Tavira and Castro Marim.
Come and hang out with the locals.

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Enjoy a folk dance group performing, try your hand (and foot) at a “corridinho algarvio”
(Algarve traditional dance), or experience a fado concert and try to find the essence of the
typically Portuguese saudade (a state of mind). Don’t worry if you do not understand the
words: you will be amazed anyway.

In the Algarve, we take the night life very

seriously. Whether you prefer drinking with
a group of friends, or in an exclusive bar of
a luxury hotel, there are options for every
taste and wallet.

SPEAKING OF WALLET…
OUR CASINOS ARE A MUST GO.

Events | www.visitalgarve.pt

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 Are you a golfer?
If so, you will be a happy golfer in the Algarve.
We have been repeatedly named Best Europe Golf
Destination and it´s easy to understand why.

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 MOST OF THEM DESIGNED BY
RENOWNED INTERNATIONAL
ARCHITECTS, AND SOME
AMONG THE TOP 100 BEST
It’s hard to imagine the Algarve without COURSES IN THE WORLD.
thinking of golf, yet golf wasn’t born on this
sunshine coastal area until 1966.
More than half of its courses decorate the
Fast-forward half a century and our 150-miles coastline.
alluring region has not only become one of
Europe’s premier holiday spots, but also an Flight connections are easily available
award-winning golf destination. through out several cities in Europe and
you will be spoiled by choice in what
accommodation is concerned, hotels and
WITH A STAGGERING 42 NINE self-catering of any type are the finest one
can dream of.
OR 18-HOLE LAYOUTS THAT
CAN BE PLAYED ALL-YEAR- The Algarve is the perfect destination
ROUND, IT’S NO WONDER THE for golfers of all ages and abilities, with
something to suit every taste and budget.
ALGARVE DRAWS HUNDREDS A real ALL-in-one destination, where you
OF THOUSANDS OF GOLFERS will experience the shot of your life!
TO ITS FAIRWAYS EACH YEAR.
Algarve Golf Guide | www.visitgolfalgarve.com
ALL SPECTACULAR COURSES,
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 Have you tasted our canned fish?
It is an amazing delicatessen
and definitely worth a try.

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But apart from fishing and fish processing,
the Algarve has never been an industrial
region. This has made it easier to adopt
good sustainability practices, with strong
environmental concerns.

THIS EFFORT IS SHOWN ON

NATURAL RESERVES AND
PARKS, INCLUDING COSTA
VICENTINA, RIA DE ALVOR,
THE NATURAL PARK OF RIA
FORMOSA AND THE SALT
MARSHES OF CASTRO MARIM.

Costa Vicentina Natural Park, with its steep

cliffs, beaches, sand dunes and mountains
is a wild life sanctuary with 750 identified
plants, 200 species of birds, including
the Bonelli eagle and the Peregrine
falcon. The Park is an exceptional spot for
birdwatchers, along with the other natural
areas in the Algarve.

Further ahead in the Monchique

Mountains, near Pico da Fóia (the highest
point in the Algarve), you will find the home
of some animal species like otters, foxes,
wild boars, badgers, wild cats and the
famous iberian lynx.
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 THE RIA FORMOSA NATURE
PARK IS A UNIQUE LAGOON
SYSTEM THAT IS CONTINUALLY
CHANGING DUE TO THE
MOVEMENTS OF WINDS,
CURRENTS AND TIDES.

Birdwatching in Algarve Guide | www.visitalgarve.pt

And if we think of indigenous species, we

must not forget the friendly water dogs.
Bo and Sunny, who live with Obama at the
White House, are the best ambassadors of
So no wonder that it became an our local breed.
habitat for wildlife: flamingos, vultures,
woodcocks and kingfishers. The purple On the mouth of the Guadiana River lies
swamphen, a rare species which, in the Nature Reserve of Castro Marim and
Portugal, only breeds in these lakes, is a Vila Real de Santo António, that shelters
sort of mascot of this wonderful natural some 153 different species throughout the
park. Another inhabitant of this wetland is year. They include the charming flamingos,
the chameleon, sadly at risk of extinction but also storks, pied avocets, dunlins,
elsewhere in Europe. You can find out more sand plovers and redshanks. Prepare your
going for a trail or a boat ride. camera!

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Fancy a walk? Walking, hiking or trail
lovers find in the Algarve a wide range of
choice. Equipped with signs, guides and
support materials, if you follow these routes
you can find a deep and interior Algarve.
Landscapes, gastronomy, history, culture,
traditions, habits, cork production all lie a
couple of steps from each other.
The Rota Vicentina route totals 400 km
Via Algarviana is a great pedestrian along the most beautiful coastline of
route that links Alcoutim and Cabo de Southern Europe. No doubt about that.
São Vicente, which means that you can There is the Historical Way, the Fishermen’s
literally get to know the Algarve from east Trail and circular routes. You can choose
to west. In addition there are small routes one or, why not, try them all.
connected to Via Algarviana if you are
looking for something specific. And let us not forget the Cork Route.
You can go to São Brás de Alportel, and
walk through the process of cork making,
starting at the oak groves, follow the
extraction and finish with the industrial
transformation for end use.

www.viaalgarviana.org | www.rotavicentina.com
www.rotadacortica.pt

If you are tired of walking, get a bike and

cycle through our famous routes, most of
them are near the shore, so you can cycle
feeling the sea wind on your face. Cycling is
an important sport in the Algarve. You can
even book a cycling tour.

Nature Tourism Guide | www.visitalgarve.pt

17
 Along with your suitcase, bring your
apetite to the Algarve. You will fall head over
heels with the gastronomy.

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It is an incredible mixture between the FURTHER INLAND, IN
light Mediterranean diet and the more MOUNTAIN AREAS, YOU WILL
robust food eaten all over Portugal.
Visit restaurants in the coast and then move FIND THE HOME MADE STYLE
to the mountain areas and spot the major FOOD THAT MAKES YOU FEEL
differences. The richness of the gastronomy COMFORTED.
will make your taste buds smile.

200 km of coastline are a good sign that the

fish and seafood are great. In the Algarve Olives, cheese and bread are always at the
the fish is so fresh it seems it jumped from table, along with traditional ham known
the sea to the plate. If you want to eat like a here as “presunto” and cured sausages
local, you can try the fish stew, “caldeirada” from Monchique. Try the traditional stewed
as we know it, the famous cataplana chickpeas and cabbage. Or the wild boar
(seafood steamed in a traditional pan), the with beans. Or the “xerém with toucinho”,
clams or the octopus, cooked properly by or … we just can’t stop naming delicious
expert hands in a dozen ways. dishes.
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 And there is one classic, which tastes like
Algarve all over: frango da Guia, or chicken
piri-piri like the tourist like to call it. That is
our famous spicy grilled chicken. It attracts
large crowds from all over the region and
you have to find out why. It is an explosion
of flavours.

Still have room for a dessert? The

Algarve is a sweet place. One of the many
advantages of the Algarve’s mild climate is
the ability to produce the most important
ingredients of the Mediterranean cuisine,
including olive oil, figs, almonds, oranges
and honey. They are combined according
to old recipes, some of them tested and put
together behind the walls of monasteries
and convents, and the result is magical. The
most famous dessert is the Dom Rodrigo,
one of Portugal’s culinary wonders, made
from egg yolks, sugar and the very typical
almonds.

Regional Cooking Guide | www.visitalgarve.pt

Restaurants | www.visitalgarve.pt

IN THE END, TO HELP WITH

YOUR DIGESTION, DRINK
THE FAMOUS MEDRONHO,
ALSO KNOWN AS FIREWATER,
MADE WITH THE FRUIT OF THE
ARBUTUS TREE. THE NAME IS
A HINT OF WHAT YOU CAN
EXPECT.

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Michelin stars shine bright in the Algarve.
There are two restaurants with two stars,
and four with one star, located in Albufeira,
Almancil, Alporchinhos, Carvoeiro and
Vilamoura. Needless to say, here you will
find a refined cuisine made from the finest
ingredients, most of them from the Algarve.
We advise you to book your reservation
well in advance.

When you eat in the Algarve you must

drink accordingly. In recent years the
quality and consistency of the wines
produced in the region has undergone
a remarkable evolution. Produced from
an extensive range of regional varieties,
resulting in well balanced white, rosé and
red wines, they are ideal for an aperitif, to
drink with your meal, any sweet dessert
or cheese.

Particularly in Algoz and Lagoa areas, you

can visit the vineyards and cellars where
the wines are produced, discovering the
origin and the methods that lead them to
your glass. Some producers may send your
home a box or two of these fine wines,
letting you catch your flight quietly and
travel carefree back home.

Algarve Wine Guide | www.visitalgarve.pt

21
 Thalassotherapy. It is a long word with a simple meaning:
the therapeutic use of seawater, algae and marine climate
to promote health and well-being.

22
In the Algarve these ingredients are never lacking. And there are many modern Spas, some
of them in hotels where you can relax, reduce stress, feel cleansed. Combine it with rest and
a healthy diet and you will feel brand new.

In the interior, in Monchique, in addition

to the Spa you can take advantage of the
natural thermal treatments at Caldas de TAKE OUR ADVICE: LET THE
Monchique, rich in bicarbonate, sodium ALGARVE INDULGE YOU ONCE
and fluorine, perfect to treat or prevent MORE AND GET LAZY UNDER
some diseases and health conditions.
THE SUNSHINE THAT WILL
In the end, the Algarve has something HELP YOU STRENGTHEN YOUR
that you should really look for – sun and IMMUNITY SYSTEM, ESSENTIAL
vitamin D. It is no secret the importance of
the sun for producing vitamin D and here in FOR A HEALTHIER LIFE.
the Algarve we have plenty of it.
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 Slide to a happy place in the Algarve´s Theme Parks,
a great source of family entertainment.
Looking for Adrenaline?

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IN QUARTEIRA YOU HAVE THE Thinking about the parents, the Algarve
has one racetrack where you can watch
BIGGEST WATER COASTER IN championship races on two or four wheels,
EUROPE AND FURTHER WEST, or just for the fun, try an unforgettable
OTHER FUN WATER SLIDES. driving experience. And if you take the
kids with you, there is also a karting circuit
YOU CAN MEET FRIENDLY suitable for the whole family.
DOLPHINS IN GUIA AND
WATCH AMAZING SHOWS.

If you are lucky you can actually swim with

them. It is an experience you will not forget.
Also you can learn about the marine
species that share the planet with us. Or
you can just relax by the pool. But if you’re
into other species, there are also other
theme parks with animals and even a zoo
that offer all-day programs that guarantee
a day well spent, be sure of that.
25
 Sleep in style, no matter how much money you have to spend.
Book a room in a cozy three or four star hotel or enjoy
extreme luxury in a five star accommodation.

26
If you enjoy nature, stay in a rural hotel
and if you are a private person enjoy our
self-catering villas and apartments. Golfers,
YOU CAN FIND YOUR STYLE
of course, can practice a few steps away OF ACCOMMODATION IN
from their rooms, in one of our golf friendly EVERY CORNER OF THE
hotels.
ALGARVE, FROM THE FUNKY
Little ones were not forgotten, as Algarve VIBE URBAN AREAS, TO THE
offers several hotels especially designed for MORE QUIET PLACES.
families that assure everything you might
need when traveling with babies, children
or teenagers. All this for the best value for money you can
find in Southern Europe.
If you are here for business, you must know
that the hotels in the region offer excellent
conditions that will make your event Accommodation | www.algarvepromotion.pt
unforgettable.
27
 We can tell you that the Algarve soul is made up
of people, sounds, colours, scents, summer flirts
and friends for life.

28
 It is charming traditional villages like
Aljezur, Querença, Alte, S. Brás de
Alportel, Vila Real de Santo António, or
Alcoutim, where the houses are white,
each with its own original chimney and the
locals meet every Sunday, for church.

It tastes like sweet potatoes that grow in

our lands, sweetened by the sun and so
packed of flavour that major chefs can´t
resist to use in their creations.

It has the kick of the medronho (arbutus),

a fruit grown in the mountains that once
caught, fermented and processed is turned
into the medronho liquor.

It smells like fresh oranges, juicy and

sweet, a quality brand known all over the
country and in Europe. An unforgettable
flavour.

It is carved all over the sea rocks, where

barnacles and mussels are harvested. And
they taste like the sea on your plate.

29
 It smells of almond blossom, little white
flowers on delicate trees, that in ancient
arab legends saved the love of a beautiful
northern princess and her “algarvian”
prince.

It breezes in the terraces of traditional

houses, where voluptuous figs and dried
carob give way to more living space
in our days.

It tastes like salt flower, a seasoning

made from fine crystals collected from
the Algarve salt pans. An healthy gourmet
product that enhances flavour.

It swims with seahorses, an endangered

species that has its largest existing
community in the world in the Algarve.

It changes colour with the chameleons,

those little beings that look straight out of
the Jurassic Age.

30
And it tells tales of the Portuguese Discoveries. Fortaleza de Sagres brings us to the iconic
Henry the Navigator. And one of the most beautiful cities in the region, Lagos, owes its
monumentality to the maritime expansion. 600 years ago, the strategic location of the
region and the tradition of the Algarve sailors brought the world to Europe.

WITH ALL THESE AMAZING

INGREDIENTS AND OTHERS
WE LEFT OUT FOR YOU TO
DISCOVER ON YOUR OWN,
YOU HAVE THE PERFECT
EXCUSE TO COME TO THE
ALGARVE. AS IF YOU NEED
ONE! WE AWAIT YOU!

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 NATIONAL SOS 112
EMERGENCY NUMBER
INTOXICATIONS LINE (+351) 808 250 143
RED CROSS (FARO) (+351) 289 899 903
CIVIL PROTECTION (+351) 289 887 510
FOREST PROTECTION LINE 117
FARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (+351) 289 800 800 | www.ana.pt
CP - PORTUGUESE RAILWAYS (+351) 808 208 208 | www.cp.pt
EVA TRANSPORTS (+351) 289 899 700 | www.eva-bus.com

32
 Publisher and Copyright Owner
Algarve Tourism Bureau
Registered Office:
Av. 5 de Outubro, nº 18
8000-076 Faro, Portugal

Tel: (+351) 289 800 403

Fax: (+351) 289 800 466
E-mail: [email protected]
www.algarvepromotion.pt

Coordination
Marketing Department
[email protected]

Texts
Event Point

Photography
Archive of Algarve Tourism Bureau,
Algarve Tourism Bureau members,
Algarve Tourism Board, Via Algarviana,
Fado com História, Georg Schreier
and Telma Veríssimo

Graphic Design and Layout

NEWINGS design agency

Printing
Gráfica Comercial

Distribution
Free

Edition
2017
2016 © Algarve Tourism Bureau

Visit us:
www.visitalgarve.pt
www.algarvepromotion.pt
www.algarveconvention.pt
www.visitgolfalgarve.com