Europe -> Southern Europe -> Portugal

Introduction:
The Algarve is an area in southern Portugal, of which Faro is the capital. The Algarve is filled with fantastic beaches, making a popular destination for English, German and French tourists especially. The area has undergone a rapid increase in development, so the coastline is dotted with villas and resorts.

History:
The Phoenicians were the first developed society of the area from around 1000 BC who set up ports for trading along the coast. The Carthaginians followed in 550 BC then the Romans in 200 BC, whose influences are still visible in the area. In the late 5th century the Gothics settled in Southern Europe, especially in Spain and Portugal. The Moors invaded the area in 711 AD, and occupied until 1272 AD when Afonso III and his Christian Army gained control of Faro and the region.

The Algarve almost became an independent region in 1807, however these plans failed when the Spanish occupied Portugal, however Algarve was the first region to rid itself of the invaders in 1808.

Places to See:
Faro is the gateway to the coast, but despite being a means to an end for most people, it has its own charm. There are some sights worth seeing in Faro if you have the time, and in summer the nightlife is great.

Centro Ciencia Viva (Science Alive Centre) is an educational centre on the sun and its impacts. It has lots of displays and interactive exhibits including a flight simulator.

Igreja do Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Church of Our Lady of Carmel) is a spectacular church embossed inside with gold. Behind this is the Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones), adorned with the bones of thousands of bodies whose remains were plundered by monks and nuns.

Lagos is another popular destination in the Algarve due to its market centre and close proximity to amazing beaches. The town has rental facilities for mopeds, horses and bicycles, and also boat trips from the harbour. This combined with the culture and laid-back atmosphere makes for a great holiday destination.


Weather:
The Atlantic has a strong influence on the Algarve climate patterns, giving it a Mediterranean climate. The summers are warm with plenty of sunshine, little rain and low humidity, making it the perfect time to travel. Winters are cooler, but still not cold, and higher humidity and rainfall.



Getting there:
Faro and Lagos are served by direct flights from many European cities daily. There are also multiple internal flights from Lisbon. The Algarve is easily accessible by train as well as bus.