Portugal

Portugal

Portugal is a country located in the south-west of Europe.

Its territory is located in the western part of the Iberian Peninsula.

The Portuguese territory has a total area of 92,090 km², being bordered to the north and east by Spain and to the south and west by the Atlantic Ocean, and comprehended by a continental region and two autonomous: the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira.

Portugal is the westernmost nation on the European continent.

The country’s name comes from its second largest city, Porto, whose name Latin-Celtic name was Portus Cale.

Algarve

The Algarve is a region, sub-region and traditional province of mainland Portugal, being the southernmost of all, constituting the most important tourist region of Portugal and one of the most important in Europe.

The temperate Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild and short winters and long, warm and dry summers, the tepid and calm waters that bathe its south coast, its natural landscapes, historical and ethnographic heritage and the delicious and healthy gastronomy are attributes which attract millions of domestic and foreign tourists every year and make the Algarve the most visited region and one of the most developed in the country.

The sunny beaches of the Algarve offer perfect locations for all types of tourists, from those who seek the lively night life of the wonderful and vibrant Lagos, to those who wish to remain isolated in the tranquility of Sagres.

This southernmost region of Portugal offers historical attractions in Silves, the ancient capital of the Moors, and in fascinating Tavira: great golf courses, fabulous beaches from Praia da Luz to Armação de Pêra, the hot springs of Caldas de Monchique and many miles of caves and limestone grottos, cliffs and bays along the rocky shores.

tourist destinations

Tavira

Tavira is a small town on the Algarve coast. It extends along the Gilão River, which disembogues to the sea through the inlets of the lagoons of the Natural Park of Ria Formosa. The Island of Tavira has a long sandy beach and salt marshes that attract flamingos, spoonbills and other wading birds. In the center, the medieval castle of Tavira offers views of the city. The Church of Santa Maria do Castelo houses the tombs of 7 knights killed by the Moors.

The gastronomy is intimately linked to the history, geographical and social characteristics of a region. The fresh products from the sea are the ex-libris of its gastronomy, highlighting the shellfish, the octopus, the tuna and the grilled fish. owever, we cannot forget the mountains and the interior, where the roasted goatling leg, the chicken “açorda”, the game, the sausages, the fresh goat and sheep cheeses are part of the gastronomic offer. In the restaurants and patisseries of Tavira, you can still delight yourself in the magnificent confectionery made with almond, gila pumpkin, carob, fig and the Tavira puffs. Taste an arbutus or fig brandy, handcrafted in the parishes of Santo Estevão and Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo.

Tavira´s mild climate and sun are favorable conditions for the practice of sports all year round: golf, kitesurfing, cycling, bird watching, canoeing, diving, among others. Come live once in a life time experiences. The Golf courses are located in a pleasant environment with stunning views of the Ria Formosa or the Tavira’s countryside. Dedicate the day to a good swing and delight yourself with the pleasurable atmosphere. After the beach, enjoy all the entertainment that the night in Tavira offers you with several existing bars and terraces in the city and throughout the county. In the Ribeira market, on the banks of Gilão, along the beaches and in many other places.

Faro

Faro is the capital of the Algarve region in the south of Portugal. The city’s neoclassical “Town Arch” is placed at the entryway that was part of the original Moorish walls. The monumental arch leads to the old town with its cobbled streets. Nearby is the Faro Cathedral, built in the 13th century. The Municipal Museum, located in a convent from the 16th century, displays prehistoric and medieval artefacts, as well as sacred art.

Faro’s gastronomy, combining these historical roots with its unique location is based on ingredients that reflect the fresh tastes of the sea and the pleasant and strong aromas of the countryside. As an example of the importance of the Ria Formosa and the activities related to fishing, we have the famous “arroz de lingueirão”, “choquinhos fritos” or “carapaus alimados” and for dessert nothing better than the traditional “Dom Rodrigo” or the almond “morgado”. One of the main initiatives to promote Ria Formosa’s products is the Ria Formosa Festival, organized by the “VIVMAR Association”, which takes place between the end of July and the beginning of August. Here, one can taste the best that the Ria and the sea have to offer us. From oysters to “lingueirão”, cockles, mussels, conchs, clams, crabs, among others, which are cooked in a traditional way or combined with the new gastronomic trends. Faro has a very different atmosphere from the bustling and frenetic resorts of the western Algarve. The city is very scenic, especially inside the walled town and in the area surrounding the marina.

Faro displays more monuments and historic buildings than many other cities in the Algarve, while the charming shopping area is full of outdoor cafes.

Vilamoura

The Vilamoura area offers a fabulous diversity of experiences, ranging from relaxing walks in the silent pine forest and beaches of the Atlantic, to a casino, shooting club, riding school and a variety of night clubs. The main attractions are four golf courses with environmental awareness planned development and water activities such as dolphin safari.

The past of the area is placed at the forefront with the preserved Roman ruins and the Cerro da Vila Museum. Rent a car to make the most out of Vilamoura and the surrounding Algarve region. From the splendid Marina to the prestigious golf courses, through the rich and diverse shopping area, Vilamoura offers it all. With tranquility and good taste.

Around here, the days are a sequence of unforgettable moments. In a sailing boat, a game of golf, a stroll along the seafront or feeling the adrenaline of a radical jump. The nights, full of life, are the perfect culmination of an intensely lived day. An esplanade overlooking the Marina invites you to enjoy the best of what life has to offer.

Albufeira

Albufeira comes from the Arabic word البحيرة (al-Buħayra), designation of the 8th century, VIII, which means the lagoon/sea, or, according to other specialists, castle of the sea, laying high and in amphitheater over the sea. From the Arab period still remain the narrow alleys, the old castle and the white houses with their roofs and arches. There are several types of beaches and, with 20 very different ones to choose from, Albufeira charms everyone who visits.

Accompanying the coast in Algarve, through the south-eastern region of Portugal, its main advantage feature points indicate glistening white houses with a Moorish touch, surprising cliffs of various hues and traces of ancient forts that set modern amenities with a charming historic touch.

Albufeira has fantastic golf courses that are very sought after by tourists like the Pine Cliffs Golf Course, Salgados and the Balaia Golf Village.

The pleasure of eating in this region is marked in the foreground by the fishing activity.

In the traditional Algarve dishes there are varieties of fish and seafood, such as the famous “Cataplana à Algarvia” and the tasty sardines accompanied by potatoes and salad.

The tuna, snapper, monkfish, squid and other delicacies are exquisitely made into excellent traditional stews and casseroles.

No one can resist a delicious fresh fish caster jumping off the grill or the charm of a beautiful seafood rice.

Portimão

Portimão is a port city in the Algarve region. It is known for its historic center, lively marina and its proximity to several beaches. The Portimão Museum is housed in a restored 19th-century cannery displaying exhibitions on local history. The church of “Nossa Senhora da Conceição” (Portimão’s Mother Church), is built in Portuguese gothic style, and its features include the interior tiles from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. To the south, there is Praia da Rocha, with ocher cliffs as a backdrop and the medieval fort of “Santa Catarina de Ribamar”.

Fisherman’s land, fish and shellfish are always fresh and cooked to perfection, as are the meats which are cooked with the best recipes in the region or simply and deliciously grilled. Particularly famous is the grilled sardine from Portimão, but when it comes time to decide where to eat in Portimão, there will be many options to choose from. Among the dishes to be tasted is the “lingueirão” rice or the seafood rice, as well as the oven baked octopus, cuttlefish bean stew or the monkfish “cataplana”. Regional sweets based on almonds and carobs, accompanied by the typical “melosa” (arbutus fruit spirit with honey) and traditional sausages from Serra de Monchique, give a final shot to the richness and gastronomic diversity that the Algarve region has to offer.