Travel Guide To Faro & the Algarve, Portugal

Portugal's most southerly province has 300 days of sunshine a year and 100 miles of beach lined with orange cliffs and trees beside the cool Atlantic ocean. It's a 150km mix of Moorish villages, golf, bars, restaurants, clubs and more golf.

The Algarve has drawn holiday makers for years due to it’s gently shelving beaches and warm air currents make a very tempting mix. The coastline is simply beautiful with stretches of golden sands washed by fresh seas and red sandstone cliffs that seclude delightful bays. To the east of Faro there are off shore islands, blue lagoons, longer and straighter beaches and warm water.

The main shopping centres in Faro are the Rua de Santo Antonio and Portimao where you’ll discover sophisticated boutiques, elegant stores and designer goods. Local Markets are held in small towns and villages throughout Portugal but Monchique is one to recommend.

Away from the coast, sleepy towns and villages punctuate the lush green hillside and offer a fantastic insight to the slower, more traditional Portuguese way of life.

Nightlife on the Algarve vary from quiet evenings with long delightful dinners beneath a starry sky to late night dancing. Whatever your entertainment desires the Algarve caters for everyone.

Accommodation in the Algarve ranges from high rise resorts in places like Albufeira to traditional guesthouses, located in the small towns and villages surrounding the algarve coast.

Enjoy the many landscaped golf courses. If you're looking for a golfer's paradise, then look no further than the Algarve for your ultimate golfing experience.

Food: Take on a swordfish, try the famous chargrilled sardines or maybe the chicken piri piri or cataplana (pork and clams) and wash down with a glass of vinho verde. Try a Galao - milky coffee in a glass.

Nightlife: Albufeira has the liveliest clubs, bars and floorshows. Praia d'Oura has an entertainment complex with discos, clubs, restaurants bingo and bowling while Vilamoura has Las VVegasstyle entertainments at their casino.

Shopping: Portimao has a shopping complex but Loule and Faro have monthly markets. Good buys are linen, leather, rugs, pottery and wines.

Days out: Take a day away from the golf course to explore the countryside or Algarve Mountains on a Jeep safari or maybe a day trip to Lisbon or Loule.

Events: Loule festival in February, Revolution Day is celebrated in April, there's an Easter Festival in S. Bras de Alportel. Tourist information telephone number (UK): +44 (020) 7494 1441.

Additional Faro & the Algarve Information

Olhos d'Agua
(45 minutes from the Algarve Airport). Olhos d'Agua is a great destination for families as the beach is lovely and very safe. Olhos d'Agua is a fishing village which is charming and close to other well known villages in the area for day trips. This Algarvian village has its own distinctive features such as a colourful harbour, delicacies, and pretty shops selling traditional wares.

Praia da Oura
(50 minutes from the Algarve Airport). Praia da Oura is an ideal retreat for families with a great beach, many watersports, and a very relaxed atmosphere. It's convenient that Albufeira is only a few km away, so if in need of a good night out at the disco, horse-riding or the zoo for the kids, go there. Otherwise Praia da Oura has everything a great holiday needs: sun, sand, and Portuguese style!

Praia da Rocha
(90 mins from Faro). Clifftop resort with a high density of late bars, clubs, discos and a casino. It's for families by day and party goers by night.

Vilamoura
(30 mins from Faro). Lively, purpose built marina resort with 18 hole golf course, two beaches, a children's playground, watersports. A busy nightlife with bars, discos, clubs and a casino. Something for everyone.

Airport Transfers from ResortHoppa.com

Portugal airport transfers at fantastic rates. Book your transfers from Faro airport to your holiday resort with Europe's leading airport transfer companies. ResortHoppa offers efficient low cost airport transfer solutions for the holiday maker who chooses to travel independently. ResortHoppa will take you by taxi, minibus, or coach and on many routes have airport to resort shuttle transfers that run 365 days a year and 24 hours a day. So whatever transfer type you require you can always be sure that ResortHoppa will have a transfer tailored just for you.

Faro (FAO) airport is gateway to Portugal. ResortHoppa transfers take you anywhere on the Algarve from Cape St. Vincent in the west to Monte Gordo in the east in the south. Other resorts on the Algarve include Acoteias, Sao Joao, Albufeira, Praia da Rocha, Villamoura, Alvor, Olhos d’Agua, Armacao De Pera and Lagos to name but a few.