"My Algarve" a Algarve Travel Page by Balam

Situated on the extreme South of Portugal, this part of the territory was the last to be conquered from the Moors by the Portuguese king in 1292. Traces of the Moorish presence are still seen in its unique architecture - terraces, chimneys and whitewashed houses.

However, the distance that was difficult to cover back in the 13th century is no longer an obstacle thanks to the modern Lisbon-Albufeira-Castro Marim road (IP1) or Faro international airport.

In the northern part of the Algarve, the hills of Espinhação de Cão, Monchique and Caldeirão shelter the coast from strong winds. This brightly coloured region, with its fig trees, orange groves and almond trees in blossom, is also the most verdant and fertile. The southern coastline consists of a long stretch of fabulous sandy beaches, broken up by extraordinary rugged cliffs and fantastic grottoes like Praia da Rocha and lovely Fishing Towns like Alvor which is certainly my favourite.

Apart from the wealth of available water sports facilities (the marinas of Portimao and Lagos, amongst the various ports and harbours), there are other alternatives, such as tennis courts, famous golf courses, luxury hotels or quaint holiday resorts and an exciting nightlife.

Towns like Silves take you back in time to a land under Moorish occupation, a time of crusaders and castle building or Lagos were started an age of exploration, and of course Albufeira which is the 'Tourist' capital.