Where to go on your Portugal Holiday

Algarve is a popular tourist destination

Published 01 June 2012 in Featured Articles

The southern coast of Portugal is known to most holidaymakers as the Algarve. Not only is it the most popular tourist destination in Portugal itself, it is also one of the top destinations in the whole of Europe.

Portugal Holidays can take many forms, from exploring the spectacular mountains of the central belt of the country, to the more familiar surroundings of the wonderful golf courses and swathes of unspoilt magnificent beaches of the Algarve. The distinct 'Atlantic meets Mediterranean' atmosphere is unique amongst European holiday hotspots.

The area around Vilamoura is deservedly famous for hosting some of the best golf courses in the world. The sea front is dominated by major hotel development, so if the beach experience is your primary aim, you might be better off looking at some of the other destinations Portugal has to offer.

Albufeira is the Algarve's biggest and best-known resort, so it’s the place to go if you're looking to enjoy the livelier night life on offer. It's not just a tourist destination either; it is also a great favourite with Portuguese holidaymakers. The fishingvillage history of the cobbled streets in the Old Town provides some fantastic traditional restaurants, with menus based around the day's local fishing catch.

At the other end of the scale is the resort of Sagres, which is not much more than a main road with a cobbled square at the end. But here the wonderful beach is framed by red cliffs, with the impressive breaking waves making it a favourite for surfers. From the 15th Century fort, the view stretches out to the Cape of São Vincente – once thought to be the end of the world before Portugal became a major seafaring nation.

The biggest resort on the Western Algarve is Lagos, although tourism has a smaller part to play here in the life of what is essentially a working town of considerable historical charm. The splendour of Meia Beach is a five mile stretch of perfect sand, which is one of the best you’ll find anywhere along the coast. As it is a fifteen minute walk from the town it has the feel of a more secluded secret than some of the more popular beaches on the sea fronts of larger resorts.

An even more rarefied atmosphere can be found in Luz, where a huge crescent swathe of glorious beach mainly attracts families and occasional surfers. Unlike many other places in Portugal, Luz has been spared over-development, with low-level buildings set amongst the hills.

One of the best ways to enjoy any of these amazing places is to choose one of the many packages for Portugal luxury all inclusive holidays, which are on offer from a range of tour operators and holiday providers. It can only add to the relaxing nature of your holiday break to know that all the details are taken care of, leaving you free to make the most of your holiday in one of Europe’s best destinations.

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