The Central Algarve

The central area of the Algarve has been developed more intensively. The coastline here changes to one of reddish/brown sandstone cliffs interspersed with rocky outcrops leading down to long beaches of golden sand. There are many developments of villas and apartments. However, the relatively sparse population combined with the many beautiful beaches and coves ensure that there are still peaceful areas of beach even in the peak summer season.

West of Falesia with its long stretch of beach the coastline changes to a series of sandy coves and holiday resorts such as Olhos de Agua and Praia de Oura. Beyond Albufeira the rocky red headlands are particularly attractive and have spawned resorts like Sao Rafael Castelo and Gale each with its small coved beach backed by craggy eroded rock faces and dominated by mainly villa developments.

This area has become a Mecca for many thousands of people seeking a lazy life, sun and excellent beaches. However, those seeking a more active stay will find most facilities available in the numerous hotel and holiday complexes.

The area's main resort is Albufeira which has its own splendid beach. Every inch a resort, disliked by some and loved by others, Albufeira's faithful return year after year, many to buy retirement and holiday homes in the town's satellite resort villages. Development is continuing all round Albufeira with holiday villages, leisure complexes, swimming pools, residential parks and the like, as no effort is spared to keep visiting holidaymakers busy and happy. Popular with children are the Algarve's largest fun and theme parks along the EN125 highway. "Zoomarine," "The Big One" and "Slide and Splash" are all within easy reach and more, smaller attractions are planned elsewhere in the area. Further to the west we find what is claimed locally as the largest, sandiest beach in the Algarve. The beach at Armaçao de Pera is indeed splendid and the resort is popular with Portuguese and foreign visitors alike.

Inland and north of the EN125 highway the picture changes as indeed it does for much of the Algarve. Here we have rolling countryside with tiny farming villages and hamlets leading up into the hills. A very peaceful area with some of the most beautiful countryside to be found in the Algarve. Sporting facilities available range from watersports, particularly at Vilamoura, tennis with international centres at Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo to horse riding amongst the pines which run behind much of this coastline. Bulding here is remarkably low density helping to preserve the exclusive nature of developments. Many of the properties are hidden amongst the trees. Some of Europe's very best golf courses can be found here - ‘household’ names such as Vale do Lobo, San Lorenzo, Vila Sol and Vilamoura. Vilamoura's marina ensures that the international yachting set is well catered for. All in all a giant holiday/residential playground with every facility available for the energetic and those content to bask in the simple pleasures of sun, sand and sea.

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Faro
Provincial capital of the Algarve, busy industrial town and port built around an attractive harbour. Largely ignored by the thousands of holidaymakers who fly into its nearby airport bound for resorts mainly Horse riding at Quinta do ago to the west. Understandable perhaps but a pity because the town offers excellent shopping, an interesting waterfront and buildings and its happy mix of business life and tourism creates a relaxed atmosphere. Much of the town centre has been pedestrianised and offers many restaurants and tiny cafes. There is a sandy beach which gets very crowded but others are within easy reach.

Quinta do Lago
Set in around 1,700 acres of pine woods with lagoon and sandy beach, this exclusive resort offers excellent sporting facilities which include equestrian and tennis centres, windsurfing school, sailing, watersports and championship golf courses fringed with expensive retirement and holiday villas. A health spa and country club with a new 18-hole golf course are planned at Pinheiros Altos. Not all the large villas set amongst the pines and fronting the ocean are owned by film and pop stars or heads of state, but being very, very wealthy is a prerequisite.

Vale do Lobo
The older of these two up-market resorts with the emphasis on low rise village complexes, with apartments and cluster villas reflecting the local architecture, plus many individual villas. At the moment the resort has around 1,000 properties with some 20% owned by residents and a further 40% as second homes. Serious money floods into these two resorts and project approval has now been given for the development of a further 30 hectares or so of land fronting the sea alongside the existing resort. Facilities match those at Quinta do Lago and there is some rivalry between the resorts.

Olhos de Agua
A working fishing village with small coved beaches, shops, bars and restaurants. Nearby is the beautiful golden, sandy beach at Falesia.

Albufeira
A former Moorish stronghold, Albufeira has grown rapidly from a tiny fishing village, perched on the slopes above the cliffs and beach, into a major, bustling and ever expanding holiday resort popular with the large package tour companies. Those quaint, narrow, steep, winding streets lined with whitewashed houses are still there but now they have been engulfed by modern development strung across the hillside. A tunnel through a large rocky outcrop links the town to its excellent sandy beach which, at its working end, is dotted with lots of brightly painted fishing boats. Busy by day, with good shopping and a daily market, almost hectic by night, Albufeira has everything for its thousands of visitors who return each year - sun, sand, sea and a wide range of restaurants, bars and nightlife to match. The most active and busiest resort in the Algarve.

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Sao Rafael
A small resort well known for its beaches with many villas and a holiday complex. Development is already underway on a marina with much interest from investors.

Galé
Popular with visitors and homeowners, its beach joins that at Salgados, continues past the golf course and on to Armacao de Pera giving ample choice and privacy. Considerable new development is taking place.

Armacao de Pera
Not the most attractive of resorts with very little remaining of the original town. There are fine views from the remains of the town's fortified walls but otherwise development has taken over with high rise blocks jostling for air. Popular nonetheless the town claims to have the Algarve's largest, sandiest beach and this is indeed quite beautiful with its caves and strange rock formations. Again in parts this is a working beach and visitors can watch the day's catch being sold on the beach or fishermen repairing their nets.

Alcantarilha
Sleepy village with a maze of steep, narrow streets, just north of the EN125 highway.

Guia
Inland from Galé and one of the Algarve's best known villages. ‘Chicken piri piri’ was first introduced here with each restaurant having its own well guarded recipe. Someone vaguely familiar at one of the tables? Sir Cliff Richard has his Quinta home nearby.

Boliqueime
Just off the EN125 and an important centre for the owners of the many villa properties in the hills to the north. Popular with British buyers.

Eastern Algarve or Western Algarve

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Our researchers are busily working on providing you with the latest up-to-date information about the Algarve and we will be posting their findings in the next few weeks. Make sure you return soon to get the full low down about this wonderful region of Portugal.