With a mild climate and excellent facilities the Algarve is a year round holiday destination for holidays, sport, nature and history.

Golf - extensively catered for in the Central Algarve - Vilamoura (5 Courses), Balaia, Pine Cliffs, Salgados. Also Tennis, Watersports and Boat Trips, Cycling On and Off Road.

This area boasts some of the finest beaches on the Algarve beautiful stretches of long sandy beaches, backdropped by stunning orange-red sandstone cliffs.

For a relaxing, quiet holiday lazing on the beach and enjoying the seafood and traditional Portuguese cuisine everything is within a short walk away - no need for a car - The Central Algarve is around a 30-minute drive from Faro Airport.

A new toll-free motorway has been built along the length of the Algarve from the Spanish border as far as Lagos, which now makes it easier to travel about.

Places to visit:

• Sagres and Cape St Vincent - Until the 15th Century this was the edge of the known world! The early Portuguese mariners were pioneers who discovered many parts of the world. At the Forteleza in Sagres the naval school of Henry The Navigator was based. Walk around the ancient fort for some great views of the sea and coastline. See the giant compass carved in the fort courtyard - Feel the history! Regular exhibitions. The lighthouse at Cape St Vincent marks the farthest Westerly point in Europe.
  
  
• Silves - Traditional Portuguese hilltop town and former Capital of Algarve and centure of Culture in Moorish times - big sandstone castle and cathedral. Interesting shops for traditional arts and crafts. Good restaurants and lively cafés. Ferry service available from Portimão during Summer.
  
  
• Caldas de Monchique - Try the healing waters at the spa discovered by the Romans. At Monchique shops sell locally produced baskets, chairs, stools and hand-knitted woollen sweaters. Road leads onto Foia which marks the highest point in the Algarve for good panoramic views. Great roadside restaurants serving traditional mountain food.
  
  
• Portimão - Old fishing port, now a large town, try the restaurants along the quayside for fantastic grilled sardines. Good shops for leather goods and shoes. Very large sandy beach and Marina at Praia da Rocha.
  
  
• Lagos - Large town steeped in marine history and still an active fishing port and international yachting centre. Good shops, restaurants, market, old town walls and two forts, one guarding the harbour. To the West of Lagos at Ponta da Piedade see the amazing coastline weathered by the sea with cliffs given names like Giant of the Bay and the Doll and caverns called the Cathedral and the Kitchen.
  
  
• Loulé - Hill town 16 kms inland, well known for brass, copper, leathergoods and embroidery. Big gypsy street market every Saturday morning, good for textiles, pottery, clothing and leathergoods.

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