Algarve Holidays

Algarve Holidays

Why not go on vacation to the great tourist destination of Algarve. It has great weather and can be great fun. Why not get a villa to stay so enjoy the hot weather.

The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, incorporating 16 municipalities. The capital is the city of Faro. Other cities are Albufeira, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Olhão, Silves, Tavira, and Vila Real de Santo António. Quarteira, which is a town and a parish in the Loulé municipality, is another town with 'city' (Portuguese cidade) status, but its population varies greatly from season to season. The Algarve is one of the regions of Portugal.

Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Fish, seafood and fruit production, which includes oranges, carob beans, figs and almonds, are important activities in the region.

Many of these tourists own their own property in the region. There are Algarve based English written publications and newspapers specifically addressed to this community. In addition to the natural beauties and plenty of beaches, the Algarve has invested in the creation of a network of golf courses. Well known beaches in the Algarve range from Praia da Luz to Armação de Pêra. A well known spa town is Caldas de Monchique.

Algarve's mild climate attracts interest from Northern Europeans wishing to have a holiday home or residence in the region. Being a region of Portugal, and therefore in the European Union, any EU citizen have the right to freely buy property and reside with little formality in the Algarve. British expatriates, followed by German, Dutch and Scandinavians, are among the largest groups wishing to own a home in this Portugal's sunny region.

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. Over the past 50 years the Algarve has seen an increase in development, particularly from non Portuguese developers. While these developments are certainly not on the same level as those in Spain, they have resulted in visual pollution which affected residents living in the area. Over the past few years many tourists visiting the Algarve have moved away from the resorts, and have chosen the comfort of a traditional Algarve guesthouse, many of these run by ex-pats from England, Holland, and Germany who have escaped to the Algarve for a quieter life.

Tourism plays an important role in the economy of the Algarve region. A large number of seasonal job opportunities are tourism-related and are fulfilled by thousands of immigrant workers arrived from countries like Brazil, Ukraine and Cape Verde, among others.