I have been to Lisbon 3 times, but only for some days everytime. Arriving by train, your first taste of Lisbon is when you walk out of the train station directly onto the edge of the bay. Mountains rise up on both sides of the mouth of the harbor and then there’s the bridge. Running across the mouth of bay is a bridge that looks for all in depth purposes like the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. I have never had an opportunity to research it, but there must be a connection.

I cannot tell you why, but Lisbon is a particularly low stress town on both the mind and the wallet.

This is an interpretation on my part as some feel the area only covers the beaches on the Mediterranean Sea . Whilst this might be accurate of some pieces of the coast in summer time, nothing may be further from the actuality of rustic Algarve.

One of the most important attractions of the Algarve is naturally the weather.

The Algarves summer climate is famous -long, hot bright days, warm tender nights. Once here, most vacation destinations are less than an hours journey from the airfield. But this is only the end of the iceberg that makes rustic Algarve the ideal all year round vacation destination. The Algarves calendar is dotted with carnivals, holidays and festas.

The year starts with the complicated New Year parties on the beaches of Portimo and Albufeira. Feb or March brings Carnival, a 3 day party before the start of lent. It is a great place to be a kid and an adult.

The sole complaint I have is a ton of folks appear to feel the same way.

Its still nice, but I’ve begun to consider relocating. You can stay in a hotel whilst in Lagos, but this may be a mistake in my judgment. Instead, go to the train station and reserve a room with a family. Families in towns all around the globe do this, but Lagos is dissimilar. The family you stay with kind of adopts you as one of their own. Alas, his better half failed to think it was such a brilliant idea. Hey, what about you? We could potentially still get a fair deal. Rick Chapo is with – makers of travel books.

Algarve Villas are just about 20 mins from the airfield, in Santa Barbara Hamlet . Our villas offer impressive perspectives of the shore and the country around. We at Algarve Villas will bother to choose the ideal villa to suit your needs and your family or chums. There are Algarve Villas with two bedrooms for smaller groups, but which still have all of the space and comfort of the bigger houses. Call me variable, but sometimes it appears like my fave beaches are those I was stretched out on most lately.

What you need from your Algarve beach experience in the summer. Sounds like Paradise, does not it? Okay, then I am going to knuckle down and list my current fave Algarve beaches, and tell you why.

Algarve, the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, is really famous as the tourism destination. Actually, there are many kind of attraction in
Algarve, but most people come to Algarve for its beaches. Do you believe that there are more than thirty beautiful beaches in Algarve ? Let’s take a
look some of them.
Praia Da Arifana
This beach is ideal for family vacation. Your children can happily swim in this beach, off course with full safety. It’s really safe to swim in Praia
Da Arifana beach because it has calm and warm weather. This beach also offers other kind activities for family like snorkeling, diving, banana boats,
and many more.
Praia do Tonel
Situated in close to Sagres at the most western point of the Algarve, this beach is really perfect for wind-surfing lovers. Wind surfing at Praia do Tonel
is really safety because all of the activities are controlled by professional beach guardians.
Praia Da Rocha
When you come to Praia Da Rocha beach, you can see acres of wide open sand as far as eyes can see. It’s really cool! This beach is really
good for sun bathing. Get the beautiful tan skin in Praia Da Rocha!
Praia de Barril
What makes this beach attractive is because Praia de Barril is like the beautiful girl. You need extra effort to reach the beach location. You have to
walk across a narrow pontoon bridge, or take a ride on the miniature train, or you can walk alongside the track (it’s paved) before you come to Praia de
Barril. It’s quite tiring, but as soon as you reach the beach you will admit that your tiring journey to Praia de Barril is worth it!
Praia da Ilha de Faro
This is the most crowded beach at Algarve. The location near the airport makes Praia da Ilha de Faro easy to reach. This beach is for the party lovers!
Well, if you need private and calm atmosphere, Praia da Ilha de Faro is really not recommended for you!

Paraiso Beach:
Set in a small bay to the west of the town of Carvoeiro lays Paraiso Beach. This is the perfect place for summer holiday with your friends. This beach
offers many exciting activities like scuba diving, wind surfing, and many more. Besides sport activities, the nightlife in Paraiso Beach is also the great
attraction for tourism.
Praia do Castelo

Located only approx. 8 km to the west of the tourist resort of Albufeira, the Praia do Castelo is really the favorite place for holidaymakers. This beach
is really crowded in peak holiday season. Many people come to the Praia do Castelo’s for the clean and white sand. Really paradise on earth!
Olhos de Agua
This is the calmest beach in the Algarve. Located at below red rocky cliffs, pine trees and alongside a former fishing village, east of Albufeira, the
Olhos de Agua is really the perfect place for you who want to have meditation at calm village atmosphere.

There are everything that you need for your holidays: supermarkets, restaurants, pharmacies, shops, handcraft shops, beaches, several sports, a lot of entertainment…

− Nightlife is very famous: bars, pubs, night clubs, discos, casino…
− Aquatic sports: jet sky, aquatic sky, water motorbike, tour to desert beach and caves and others tours and
activities
− Several Golf courses “Gramacho”, Vale da Pinta” and “Vale do Milho” and “Penina” – ten minutes by car
− Aquatic parks (Slide & Splash and Big One) and Zoo Marine – 10 minutes by car
− Castles and many places of historic interest: Lagos, Sagres and Silves – 15-30 minutes by car
− Near: Albufeira and Silves 15 minutes by car, Lagoa 10 minutes by car. A22- Algarve Motorway 5 minutes by car,
Faro Airport 40 minutes by car, train station 5 minutes by car.

Jardins da Rocha Hotel (Portimão – Praia da Rocha)

Algarve Villa T1 (4-6 persons), 65m2, bedroom with bed for 2 persons, sitting-room with 1 or 2 double bed sofa, kitchen,
bathroom and balcony
T0 (2-4 persons), 40m2, studio with beds for 4 persons, kitchen, bathroom and balcony

The Algarve has plenty to offer sightseers. There are Moorish castles, Gothic cathedrals, dramatic clifftop views, mountain treks, museums, monasteries and of course shops.
Although car hire is the obvious form of transport when getting out and about, there are alternatives. A boat trip perhaps, the perfect way to combine sunbathing with sightseeing, or even a fishing trip. A jeep safari is the ideal solution for a knowledgeable guide to the Algarvian countryside and places off the beaten track. Coach trips are available for a rest from driving and also for evening tours so the driver can have a drink. Your Eurosun representative can give you further details of places to visit and what to see whether travelling by car, boat, jeep or coach. Listed below are some places of interest:

ALTE:

This is one of the prettiest villages in the Algarve, with brightly adorned white washed houses where two are never alike. Legend says that a local noblewoman on her way to the nearest church called the procession to “halt” and ordered a church built as it was a more convenient location. The nearby village of Fonte Grande is an ideal place to picnic with its springs and waterfalls.

LAGOA:

This pleasant inland town, not to be confused with Lagos, about 12 miles to the west, is the wine capital of the Algarve. A walk through its ancient streets will soon confirm this with the heady aroma of ageing wine drifting from the underground cellars. The local wine is served in all the bars and restaurants and a winery tour is possible.

LAGOS:

Lagos is a major fishing port yet steeped in history and interest. It was the home of the first slave market which can still be seen standing on the riverbank. The statue of Henry the Navigator overlooks the promenade displaying the towns close association with the sea. Also of interest are the lively bars and good shops.

LISBON:

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal, lies on 20 low hills (not 7 as popular tradition has it). The principal attraction of the city lies in the magnificent views from its many belvederes, shady tree lined avenues and flower filled balconies. Lisbon also has a generous share of historical monuments, churches and museums. An ideal location for shopping, markets and restaurants, a visit to Lisbon should not be missed.

LOULE:

Loule is rich in architecture and is famous for its market. Also a center for local handicrafts.

MONCHIQUE:

A small village full of character, Monchique is located 24km north of Portimao. It is the center of handicrafts and you can usually buy home-made nougat, the local fire water made from the fruit of the arbutus tree ‘medronho’, hand carved wooden utensils or a large straw bag. From the nearby ruins of a Franciscan convent, marvellous views of the Algarve can be enjoyed.
The small village ‘Caldas de Monchique’ nearby has the only spa in the Algarve, it is charming, peaceful and once a popular resort to restore health and vigor. An excellent opportunity to sample the local water fresh from the ground which is said to prolong your life by ten years provided you can stomach the sulfurous aroma!

PORTIMAO:

Approximately 37 miles from Faro is Portimao, the Algarve newest city, of great importance as a fishing port. An earthquake in 1755 destroyed a large part of the city and much of its past.
Probably the greatest attraction of Portimao is the shopping and the fresh sardines sold by the quayside.

SAGRES:

Known locally as the “end of the world”, Sagres is located on the westerly tip of the Algarve. Home to Henry the Navigator for 40 years the fortress in which he lived still stands. It is here he is claimed to have founded his famous school of navigation where Cristopher Columbus learnt his skills. From the battlements there is a superb view of Cape St. Vincent across a blue crescent bay.

SEVILLE:

Being so close to Spain, it’s an excellent opportunity to visit the city of Flamenco.

SILVES:

Once the capital of the Arab kingdom, Silves lies 17km north-east of Portimao. A once flourishing city of palaces, gardens and bazaars, Silves may have lost its influence but not its interest. The surrounding area is comprised of mile after mile of orchards – peach, almond and orange trees. The red sandstone fortress is open daily (09:00-19:00). A 13th century cathedral built of red and white sandstone has fine emblazoned tombs and should not be missed.

VILAMOURA:

Vilamoura is the Algarve’s most luxurious and ambitious holiday development. With excellent sporting facilities and the major attraction – its marina, Vilamoura is certainly worth a visit.

ARMAÇÃO DE PERA:This long stretch of sand can be reached from two points, either in the resort itself
where you will find beach bars, parasols for hire and windsurfing or from the village of Pera,
where the beach does not have the facilities of its counterpart but is more remote and less crowded.

PRAIA DA DONA ANA:

A surprisingly long beach with a smaller cove to the west (only accessible at low tide)
this is one of the most pleasant beaches in the Lagos area. It has car parking nearby and has a beach bar for snacks and refreshments.

PRAIA DA LUZ:

This sandy beach is overlooked by the bars and restaurants of the village itself.
It has a good water sports facilities – snorkeling, windsurfing and sailing school, paddleboats and some boat trips.
It is a safe beach ideal for children.

PRAIA DO BURGAU:

Burgau is a small quaint fishing village with a surprising beach flanked by cliffs.
In times of high tide the beach often disappear but is usually quite large.
It is reached by a steep cobbled street and although there are parking facilities at the foot of the slope
it is advisable to leave your car at the top and walk down.

The Algarve boasts 100 miles of dramatic coastline with magnificent golden sand beaches and tidy rugged coves. The beaches are clean and unpolluted and have already received a record number of EEC ‘Blue Flag’ awards for beach and sea cleanliness.
Most beaches feature at least one bar or restaurant, usually an ideal setting to sample the excellent seafood. Also the larger beaches have a wide range of water sports.All the beaches in the Algarve are available to the public and without charge although a small fee may be made for the use of sunbeds, parasols, etc.
Some of the main beaches do have lifeguards and some use the safety flag system as listed below:

Red Flag – Bathing forbidden
Yellow Flag – Bathing with caution
Green Flag – Safe to swim

The flag system does not operate on all beaches and usually only between June 1st and September 30th. Overall safety advice is to take care at sea especially when there is a strong

Beach QUARTEIRA:

A large and busy beach which runs from the east all the way to Faro. On the fringes of the resort there are some remote areas where you can leave your car. The beach is gently sloping and is ideal for children; in peak season there are lifeguards and the safety flag system. There are several beach bars and windsurf hire is available.

Beach PRAIA DA MARINHA:

A highly recommended beach which offers swimming from rocks and sand. Parking may be a problem but the views from the honey colored cliffs are certainly worth it. There is windsurfing, occasional boat trips and a beach bar.

Beach CARVOEIRO:

This small sandy beach with both a bar/restaurant and toilets by the beach is ideal for children. It has good car parking facilities.

Beach PRAIA GRANDE:

This long wide beach can be found opposite Portimao harbor. The southern end is more scenic. It has a windsurfing school and paddle boats for hire but a word of warning – beware of strong tides.

Beach ROCHA:

One of the Algarve’s most famous cosmopolitan beaches. It is a large sandy beach and has a tunnel leading to several smaller and more secluded beaches from the easterly section. With car parking nearby and excellent facilities such as a range of bars/restaurants, deep-sea fishing, sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing it is an ideal family beach.

Beach OLHOS D’AGUA

A beach specially recommended for all the family. It is a fine shell-shaped beach with lifeguards, safety flags, car parking, a beach bar and has boat or fishing trips available.

Beach DA OURA

This is an ideal beach for exploring as it is divided into two sections. The first is by the car park which has a bar/restaurant and is lined with a colorful display of fishing boats. The eastern end has rocks and from here it is possible to find small secluded sandy coves.
Beach GALE/PRAIA DO CASTELO

Praia do Castelo is reached by a short sandy track down a steep hill whereas Praia da Gale can be reached by road. Both are safe sandy beaches with nearby car parking facilities and a beach bar. Although they are not far from the resort they do not feel remote with lovely sand dunes and are relatively uncrowded.

With a long history of fishing, Portimão developed in the last decades, to the resemblance of the remainder of the Algarve, like a tourist center, presenting a broad offering in hotels and restaurants and a lively commerce.  Became a fate of popular vacation must, in special, to the famous Beach of the Rock, a series of beautiful sandy areas golden, small bays and capricious cliffs. 

Portimão is also ideal for those that valued the fishing of large-scale fish (as the swordfish), but others nautical sports, like the jet ski, the candle, the windsurf and the dive receive support to the long one of the coastal line.Alvor – an extensive sandy area, as far as the eye can to see up to the estuary of the laughed.  Hotel complexes and several equipment do of this beach an important international tourist center.  Tres Irmãos and Prainha – already nearby Alvor, stayed in the sequence of the line of the coast, separate among themselves by cliffs with tunnels excavated by the sea João of Arens – a small stretch of sand between cliffs, a lot tranquila and little frequented, surrounded by islanders. 

Beach of the Shallows – that is followed to the Beach of the
Rock, is a family and smaller sandy area, encircled by clayey cliffs to that I was attributed medicinal qualities.  Beach of the Rock a series of beautiful sandy areas golden, small bays and capricious cliffs

Extensive portion of sand protected by cliffs, the Beach of the Rocha in Portimão is known internationally and, for a long time, the visit card of Portimão. Inviting to sunbathing and sea, the extensive bay offers the best conditions for the practice of nautical sports and walks of boat.

” Three Bears “, ” Perforated ” and Rocks ” Two Brothers ” are some of the names with which the places baptized the crags taken root in the sand, which provide pacificatory shadows when the heat pinches.

In the Avenue Tomás Cabreira, who accompanies the line of the coast even to the Saint’s Fortress Catarina of Seashore, there proliferate the hotels, bars, restaurants, esplanades and discotheques that, jointly with the Casino, do from the Rock a zone of intense commercial and tourist activity, really international.

Extremely cosmopolitan, the zone has great nocturnal activity, which is accented significantly in the Summer, being a great deal of the preference of the most young.
Specially in the hot summer months, a great deal of the beaches from the Algarve do not come sleeping. When the agitation of the bathers who like using the sun and the sea was passed, the night it brings to these beaches a type different from liveliness.It is then that the bronze bodies substitute the bathing suits for sophisticated clothes and live, in the same beaches in what were during the day, splendorous environments full of rhythms and colorful drinks.

Along the whole coast it is possible to find beaches that, at least in the balneal time, have to work small services of bar or esplanade what there do whose delights it looks for nocturnal calm amusements and intimistas. Already the lovers of agitated and intense nights to the seaside, have in the Algarve a true paradise, being Portimão and Albufeira the most rung centres.

For whom it does not abdicate of enjoying of the smell of the sea, even during the night, the riverside zone of the Alvor or the avenue Tomás Cabreira, delinquent to the Beach of the Rock, are essential, so they simmer of activity in many bars, esplanades, restaurants and discotheques there existent.