Algarve
Shaped by different geographies, cultures and religions,
Portugal
’s
Algarve
offers the traveller a multi-faceted experience. The
Algarve
has a slightly African as well as European air; it lies on the
Atlantic Ocean
yet has a distinctly Mediterranean feel, with both a Christian heritage and a distant Islamic history. The name
Algarve
comes from the Arabic ‘Al Ghareb’ and means the west, or more poetically, ‘the land of the setting sun’.
It is these charming idiosyncrasies, combined with year-round sunshine, dramatic rock formations and beautiful, clean sandy beaches, that make the
Algarve
the most attractive region in
Portugal
for foreign and Portuguese visitors alike, whatever the season.
Even in the more heavily developed areas of the central coastal strip, you can still find quiet cove beaches and relics of traditional
Portugal
amongst the villas, hotels, golf courses and sports complexes. The inherent variety and beauty of the natural landscape, combined with excellent tourist facilities, make the
Algarve
an ideal place to stay.
