This year, like last the Algarve is seeing a spike in bookings, as many new clients experience this superb coast which runs from the Spanish border to the western tip of Europe. With dramatic cliffs and some of the best beaches available short haul, they really don’t know what they have been missing.
There really is something for everyone on this coast, with a wide selection of resorts, to suit all, from the exclusive Quinta Do Lago & Vale to Lobo, through the livelier Albufeira, and further west the fishing villages like Salema, which are almost untouched by mass tourism.
Brits flock to the Algarve not just for the beaches, but a wide range of activities including golf at over 30 courses, including the famous Vale Do Lobo Royal. You can take to the water with deep sea & reef fishing, plus dolphin spotting excursions too. There are waterparks & Zoo Marine, the Algarve’s largest attraction, to keep the kids entertained, focusing on conservation, their Dolphin shows are amazing.
For those preferring a quieter life the Algarve is excellent for walking, wildlife and scenery. To the east close to Faro are the salt flat, and Parque Natural Ria Formosa, a diverse eco-system, which attracts a varied range of animal life including many bird species. In the winter and spring, walkers enjoy the many trails, allowing them the opportunity to see the best of the unspoilt west. Lush flora and diverse fauna of the Algarvian hinterland compliment the dramatic costal scenery and stunning view of the Atlantic.
Where are we going to stay? The Algarve has always had a heavy focus on self-catering, and this has been made easier of late with a wide range of supermarkets opening, including Aldi, Lidl & Modelo. The choice of accommodation is extensive from small clean studios and apartments, through to ultra-luxury villas, and everything in between.
If you prefer a hotel, then there are B&B, half board & all-inclusive options ranging in both size, & star rating, with long standing favourites such as Tivoli in Lagos, Belavista Da Luz, and The Vila Vita Parc, right through to the new kids on the block such as the 5 star Anatara & Martinhal Resort. You’ll also find a few of the Beachclub brands such as Club Med. For something completely different, why not try the Pousada Tavira, a 16th convent in an unspoilt area of the coast, I’ve stayed there, and really was magnificent.
Portugal is probably the most popular place for holidaymakers to hire a car and explore, many collect at the airport, and drive down either of the two main roads in the Algarve, others book a few days and collect in resort, ideal for a day out of the resort, travelling along the coast to the markets at Loule, or visiting one of the many potteries the Algarve is famous for. Others travel inland to take in the views whilst stopping to enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants in the Monchique mountains.
For foodies, fish is a must in Portugal, why not time your stay for the sardine festivals. There are simply too many fabulous restaurants to name on here, but safe to say, with food being my specialist subject after travel, I can certainly point you in the right direction.
As you can see the Algarve has so much to offer, and with daily departures from Manchester, you can stay for a couple of nights to a couple of weeks or longer, and some clients are also taking a two-centre option with Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, and travelling in between by train through the scenic interior of this wonderful country.
My top tip for the Algarve, book early, lots of repeat visits mean, it sells quickly.