Picking up the Portugal pace with a relaxing sunny break in the Algarve? The perfect vacation spot for spring!
If you are looking to relax, unwind and get a break from the stress and mayhem of everyday life, Portugal may just be your go-to holiday destination.
With its beautiful beaches, slow-paced lifestyle and pleasant Mediterranean climate the Algarve is the ideal place to recharge your batteries and get away from the day-to-day chaos.
Not sure how to switch off and start relaxing? Here are some tips to get you started.
Beach, please!
The Algarve is famous for its beautiful rocky shores, quiet sandy bays and secret sea caves, so make sure to put a trip to the beach on your holiday to-do list.
Having a dip in the pool or splashing the day away at a water park is fun, but nothing beats the feeling of warm sand between your toes, the sound of waves rolling in and the sensation of the sun on your skin tempered by a gentle sea breeze.
Feeling a bit more adventurous? Why not swim along the rocky cliffs to a secluded beach or a hidden cave? Total privacy ensured. Just be aware that things can get a little chilly and don’t venture too far out unless you are a good swimmer: the average sea temperature in Portugal during summer and autumn is around 20°C and the waves and currents can get pretty strong.
Get lost!
In the narrow cobblestone streets and alleys of a small Portuguese village, that is.
Take in the traditional architecture, browse for local handicrafts and regional products or indulge in some pastéis de nata – a typical Portuguese egg tart pastry – or a glass of Portuguese wine at a local restaurant.
If you are lucky you may even spot a stork during your stroll. Disturbing or destroying stork nests is prohibited by law in Portugal and since the birds are believed to bring good luck the Portuguese think very highly of their black-and-white feathered friends.
So keep an eye on those rooftops and chimneys and you may just have some good fortune coming your way!
Go pescitarian!
Portuguese cuisine is all about fish and seafood, so why not go pesco-vegetarian for a while?
Whether you decide to have a fish barbecue, sample some fresh sardines at the marina or treat yourself to the catch of the day at a local restaurant, in Portugal you simply can’t go wrong choosing from the fish menu.
Some of the Algarve’s most popular fish courses include amêijoas (cockles), cataplana (fish and seafood stew) and espada de peixe (fish brochette).
Not a fish fan? Why not indulge in a slice of fig and carob cake, a bowl of hearty vegetable soup, gazpacho or some home-grown oranges from a local fruit stand?
Unless you’re allergic to all things fresh and local you won’t go hungry in the Algarve.
Get out!
Though the Algarve may look very dry and barren – lots of sunshine and little to no rain will do that to a landscape – the Algarvian countryside is actually quite beautiful. You just have to know where to look.
Going on a hike under the scorching summer sun is probably not the best idea – due to the absence of large trees there is very little shade on the Algarvian plains and hills – but joining a jeep safari or going on a buggy ride is a great way to explore the Portuguese outback.
Just don’t wear your Sunday bests if you are planning to venture into the Algarvian outdoors, because things tend to get very sandy, dusty and dirty out there.
We have been to Algarve several times, and there are many hidden – and not so hidden gems – that are great destinations for a day trip. Here some Cities that are absolutely worth visiting:
Faro – The capital of the Algarve since 1756, is also the gateway for those arriving by plane. The city’s neoclassical Arco da Vila is on the site of a gate that was part of the original Moorish wall. The monumental archway leads to the old town, with its cobbled streets. Faro Cathedral was built in the 13th century. The Municipal Museum, in a 16th-century convent, displays prehistoric and medieval artifacts, plus religious art. Read more here >>>
Albufeira – A city with tourism and leisure as its vocation but the streets in the hold Cerro da Vila (mediaeval area) still preserve the picturesque appeal of whitewashed houses and steeply narrow streets. On the beach, the bright colours of the fishing boats contrast with the blue of the sea. A walk by the sea will offer you a magnificent view over the city, the beaches and the cliffs. The sidewalk leads to the pretty cave at Xorino. Read more here >>>
Silves – Capital of the ancient Arab kingdom of Algarve, and its most important city. Considered the most beautiful military monument from Islamic Portugal, this castle is also the largest in the Algarve. Its towers and walls perch on a Serra de Monchique hill, and are excellent viewpoints over these fertile fields covered with orange trees around the River Arade. The Cathedral is one of the most important churches in the Algarve, begun in the Gothic style and completed in the Baroque period. It is opposite the castle and also built in the red Silves sandstone. Read more here >>>