"Algarve" Algarve by freya_heaven

Algarve Travel Guide: 2,710 reviews and 5,795 photos

The Algarve region covers the whole south coast of Portugal. The 270km Atlantic coastline is a popular tourist destination with northern Europeans, especially the British & Germans.

The name Algarve dates back to the days when the area was under Moorish rule for over 500 years. The Moors called this area "al Garb al Andalus" which translates as western Andalusia. Al Garb became Algarve.......................

Another example of this in south Europe would be Jebel Tarik, which then over time became Gibraltar.

Sandy beaches, rolling green hills, year round sun, cheap living have all made the Algarve such a popular tourist destination.

With the coastline falling in Altantic waters rather than Mediterranean, even in the height of the summer the water temperature can be cold. The west coast of the Algarve is popular with surfers.

We were in Portugal for 4 weeks, roughly 10 days of this were spent in the Algarve, it is a lovely area, I imagine it was beautiful 30 years ago before it was hit by the tourist industry.
Not my favourite part of Portugal but many people love it here, returning year after year................

Last visit to Algarve: Jan 2003
Intro Updated May 29, 2004
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Reviews (19)

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Sports & Outdoors (1)
Water Sports
Restaurants (2)
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Hotels (2)
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Comments (11)

Gerrem May 6, 2005 at 11:41 PM Report Abuse

Nicola, your tips will help us on our Algarve holidays!
Aurorae Apr 13, 2005 at 6:22 AM Report Abuse

Pity I missed Algarve when I was in Portugal, I certainly plan to go back there and correct the mistake. I find Portugal fascinating!
rexvaughan Apr 2, 2005 at 7:39 PM Report Abuse

Lovely photos but the loveliest of all is little Freya! She is a doll. Happy Birthday from Georgia.
kyoub Feb 12, 2005 at 7:05 AM Report Abuse

Lovely photos,Nicola. The wild Cabo de Sao Vincente is fasinating. Great villa.
Paul2001 Jan 9, 2005 at 2:22 PM Report Abuse

The Algarve looks great. That is quite a villa you stayed at. Cliff Richards, what ever happened to him?
Toyin Nov 25, 2004 at 2:17 PM Report Abuse

Though not your favourite part of Portugal..but it almost turn out to be my favourite page Nicola..Nicely done.
MURRA Jul 20, 2004 at 9:19 AM Report Abuse

love the algarve. .good notes on silves
deecat Jul 16, 2004 at 2:33 AM Report Abuse

Admire your honesty, and I, too, would prefer the northern portion because Algarve with its highrise buildings does not appeal to me. Love the rugged beauty of Cabo de Sao Vicente. Great villa; BOO to campgrounds.Freya is beautiful.
Bwana_Brown Jun 27, 2004 at 4:02 AM Report Abuse

A great page describing your extended stay in the Algarve! The wind and waves along the western coast and at Cabo Sao Vicente looked wild! Now you've put me in a spot - tell your Mum that I like Cliff Richard too!!
Waalewiener Jun 1, 2004 at 7:15 PM Report Abuse

Very ,very nice Nicola so Northern Portugal you like better well we just have to go there one day ,You did a great job showing the Algarve , we liked it there ,but driving from Lissabon to Algarve was not that special in our opinion. Great page.Nicola.