The Charms and Authentic Experiences in the Famous Yet Mysterious Algarve

The Algarve Region is well known for its greens and its long coastline of beautiful beaches. But there's a hidden side of Algarve that goes far beyond the stretch of those wonderful golden sandy beaches, though it's undeniable how amazing they are, Algarve is certainly a region of Portugal worth exploring for its landscapes facing the freshness of the ocean and both the green mountains where thermal Spa therapies are a must. 

Discover what to do in Algarve including the best spots for wine tasting, eating out, golf, accommodation, and sightseeing. It is time to do it all from a different and authentic perspective. You most certainly have already heard and read about its gorgeous unusual cave beaches, splendorous weather, luxurious resorts, marinas, and numerous top-quality golf courses! 

It is only normal since those features are the ones for which Algarve is broadly known across the globe. Andy Symington, a Lonely Planet Writer described the coast of the Algarve as "a seemingly endless series of some of Europe’s finest beaches (...) seriously spectacular stretches of sand: the climate and atmosphere are the Mediterranean, but (due to the Atlantic) good waves and water sports are available alongside more sedate, family-oriented paddling zones. There are more than 150 beaches to choose from". And as a result of that, all sorts of Resorts and Villas offering accommodations, and activities like sightseeing cruises in all kinds of boats and yachts started being available for all the world travelers that came across this secret charming Mediterranean paradise. 

Eat, Golf, Sleep

Algarve also gained some fame due to Golf. With nearly 40 premium courses on offer with interesting green fees, it is definitely a popular destination for golfers, for those who want to learn or perfect this sport's practice. For the last couple of decades, these have been the main attributes that led people to choose Algarve, maybe, even if you have never tried this is the place for a new experience. If you are a seasoned player, well, you already know what we are talking about.  

For instance, Jonathan Bastable talked about the authentic Algarve in Condé Nast Traveller, as he traveled "from the mountains to the beaches in Portugal's sunshine region" and discovered "fiery Piri-Piri, Moorish legend and the wild countryside of its western coast". In his words, "this part of Portugal is a great place to eat well, and it is astonishing that it is not better known for its food, which is universally fresh, simple, and delicious." Mentioning the local specialty of chicken Piri-Piri which can be found in any of the region's villages, and "at the very top end of the culinary scale" the Michelin-starred 

In this interesting Algarve's guide, the writer started with a curious and uncommon observation: "I saw some fine things and met some charming folk in the Algarve, but it is the smells and the tastes of the place that will linger most in my mind: the sweet miasma of the ubiquitous orange groves, the heady scent of the wine cellars, the smoky aroma of chicken roasting on coals, and the sharp tang of the fish markets down by the sea. It all makes for a very perfumed country." And beyond the evident fact that Bastable was a little bewitched by the Portuguese chicken Piri-Piri, it is notorious that he got to experience a rare side of Portugal most southern region that is getting more and more acknowledged by foreigners.

Hit the Wineries and Leave no Stone Unturned

Let us be quite honest, the Algarve region is mainly known for its other delightful and authentic characteristics, but when it comes to wine, Algarve has certainly its own strong word to say about the subject. 

Algarve is also a Wine region with an increasingly growing reputation with a registered designation of origin wines and more than 30 wine producers that generate annually 1.2 million liters of red, white, rosé wine, liqueurs, and Aquavit! The region is also frontier with the Alentejo region, one of the most awarded regions in Portugal, so our travel tip is to combine both when spending some time in this pleasurable wine country. Keep in mind that when booking your tour with Luxury Tours in Portugal you will work with a dedicated consultant who will listen to your requests and take your tastes into consideration when designing your luxury tour in Portugal.

Like most of the Portuguese locations, good wine is everywhere, waiting for you to try it, and even a resort-like Vila vita has its own cellar and can take you visiting the extraordinary wine-producing estate Herdade dos Grous in Alentejo, which is the star of Vila Vita Group in terms of wine-related experiences. Nevertheless, Villa Vita's Gothic style wine cellars located 8 meters (26 ft.) below ground, built with bricks made in Egypt, Austria, and Greece more than 150 years ago, houses 11,000 bottles of wine from all around the world which are kept with all the sommelier's attention and affection!

Wine is most surely a common passion in Portugal, and even Sir Cliff Richard now has a palazzo in the nearby village of Guia and produces his wine. The Adega do Cantor or "Winery of the Singer" born from his idea to plant a vineyard at his property Quinta do Moinho that provided the genesis point for the Vida Nova range of wines.

Culture Galore

Another peculiar popular attraction concerning Algarve is Silves, the old Moorish capital of the Algarve, where the Arab influence is still very omnipresent nowadays. "There is a legend about Silves that seems to address the melding of cultures that occurred in this fertile land. It is said that the Moorish king of Silves took a Scandinavian princess as his wife. She was happy with him, but as soon as she settled in Silves she became ill and listless. The doctors could do nothing for her, but the king's wisest counselor advised him to plant almond trees all over the plain. The king did as he was told without knowing why, and come the spring the land was carpeted with white almond blossom. When the queen saw this sight she immediately began to recover.

'I have been so homesick,' she said, 'but this reminds me of the snows in my father's kingdom.' Almond trees in blossom are today still one of the most appreciated views in Silves.