Latest News

Stork-Watching in Silves

Silves is a traditional town located in Western Algarve. Historically, the town served as the capital and defensive stronghold of the entire region during the rule of the North African Moors (700 – 1200 AD). You can see remnants of this Moorish era in the town’s huge 7th-century red brick castle, 12th-century city walls, and defensive gates. The castle was the stage for many battles and sieges in the 12th century. Are you looking for taxi service in Albufeira ? click here

Today, this charming town’s most notable residents are white storks. Their giant nests are prominently positioned on columns, old chimneys, and buildings all over town. It’s illegal to disturb or destroy a Stork’s nest in Portugal, as storks return to their nest each year to raise their families. When we visited in early June, we saw dozens of storks flying, foraging, and feeding their young. Still confused? Book online taxi in Albufeira

The magnificent sight of a White Stork in full flight is one of the most amazing sights for us here in the Algarve.

Although we know a little about these beautiful birds, who are believed to bring good luck and fertility to the home over which it built its nest, we thought we would research them a little more – and found out some very interesting facts about them.

Storks from all over Europe (that used to migrate to the sub-Sahara in the winter) have flocked to Portugal in the last 20 years to the point where the population has grown from about 1,000 in 1995 to 14,000 in 2014. In the past the storks would fly south to Africa in the summer, and return to Europe at the end of the winter, however in the last 20 years white storks have begun to stay here all year round. Want to have a airport transfer ? click here

Algarve 7 Days Road Trip Itinerary

To help you discover the best of the Algarve, we’ve put together this road trip itinerary, which combines our top experiences from two trips to the region. Are you looking for taxi service in Albufeira ? click here

This one week Algarve itinerary is designed as a road trip because a car is very helpful in getting around the region. However, it’s a means to an end, not the end itself.

Who’s this itinerary for? Our Algarve road trip route is for anyone who loves uncovering hidden gems, relishes walks by the sea, and seeks peaceful places to stay.  Algarve 7 Days Road Trip Itinerary

Driving in Algarve, Portugal

Driving in Algarve isn’t difficult. The temperament on the road is quite friendly (nothing like driving in Italy, or Germany).

One thing to be aware of is the electronic toll roads. Portugal has a wholly electronic system that records your use of and payment for using a toll road. Because we rented our car in Portugal, the rental car company was able to activate (with our request) an automated method of payment (using a transponder device) for whenever we drove the A22.

If you’re traveling with a foreign license plate vehicle, you can purchase and activate a prepaid toll card, or purchase pre-defined journeys online. Still confused? Book online taxi in Albufeira

Olhão’s Fish Market

Olhão is a coastal town in Eastern Algarve. At the town’s waterfront, there are two market buildings (Mercados de Olhão). One building sells vegetables, fruits and spices, and the other houses the fish market – the largest in Algarve. As you enter the fish market, you’ll see a plentiful display of regional fish, including black scabbardfish, monkfish (tamboril), posta corvina, turbot (pregado), white sea bream (sargo), bream (dourada), sole (linguado) as well as dried codfish (bacalhau). Are you looking for taxi service in Albufeira ? click here

Each fish variety is marked with a placard detailing the commercial name, price, production method (método de produção), fishing zone/catch area (zona de captura), and fishing art (arte da pesca). The space is loud and lively with men and women whistling as they gut, chop, clean and sell the fish.

When to Visit: The fish market is open between 7 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., but from our experience, it’s best to come before 11:00 a.m.

Address: Mercado Avenida 5 de Outubro | Sea Side Center, Olhao 8700-306, Portugal

Where to Stay in Olhão

Budget / Mid-Range | O Casarão AL is a lovely bed and breakfast located in a historic house in Olhão. Guests have access to a communal kitchen and sea-view rooftop. Still confused? Book online taxi in Albufeira

Luxury | Real Marina Hotel & Spa is a fabulous hotel that has just about everything: swimming pools, wellness and fitness center, bar and a delicious breakfast spread. Rooms are spacious and spotless. Want to have a airport transfer ? click here

Fisherman’s Trail

• Trailhead: Porto Covo
• Distance: 75 km point-to-point
• Time Needed: 4 days
• Difficulty: Moderate

Are you looking for taxi service in Albufeira ? click here

The Rota Vicentina Fisherman’s Trail is a 4-day trek along the Vicentina Coast. The trail starts in Porto Covo in the Alentejo region and ends in Odeceixe in the Algarve. Clinging to the coast almost the whole time, this exhilarating multi-day hike in Portugal gives you access to remote beaches and secret coves.

Without a question, this is our favorite Portugal hiking destination. The coast is rugged and wild. The air is heavy with salt and wild herbs. And, it looks like the coast is collapsing into the Atlantic in a perpetual effort to join the sea. Still confused? Book online taxi in Albufeira

Fisherman’s Trail Route

• Day 1: Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes (20 km, 6:30 hrs)
• Day 2: Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve (15 km, 5:30 hrs)
• Day 3: Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar (22 km, 6 hrs)
• Day 4: Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe (18 km, 5:30 hrs)

Fisherman’s Trail Accommodation

You’ll overnight in guesthouses, or hostels along the way. Note: wild camping isn’t allowed. Make reservations a few weeks before you start the trek. Here’s where you should stay in each village.

• Day 1: Raminhos Guest House (budget), VILLA EIRA Boutique Houses(midrange), or Guarda Rios (luxury) in Vila Nova de Milfontes
• Day 2: Almograve Beach Hostel (budget), or AL Casa das Andorinhas (budget) in Almograve
• Day 3: Hostel Nature (budget), or  Azul (midrange) in Zambujeira do Mar
• Day 4: Bohemian Antique Guesthouse (budget), Casa Luar (midrange), or Casas Do Moinho (luxury) in Odeceixe

Want to have a airport transfer ? click here

Benagil Sea Cave

A few minutes from Vilmoura, you can visit famous beaches with rock formations and sea caves. The most famous of all sea caves is that of Benagil. Are you looking for taxi service in Albufeira ? click here

Benagil is most famous for the sea cave located just around the corner from the beach. This cave has been featured in top destination lists and “places you have to see” all across the internet and thanks to visitors sharing their incredible photos of the cave it has become one of the top things to do in the Algarve.

How was the Benagil sea cave formed?
The Algarve Basin between Cabo de São Vicente and Faro was part of a region caught in the epicentre when the supercontinent of Pangea began to split up, and warm, shallow seas slowly crept in. Over time, the limestone built up, with the layers that make up the Benagil Sea Cave forming about 20 million years ago.

How old is the Benagil cave?
Benagil Cave, and the Algarve coast in general, is made up of Miocene limestone sitting on rocks created in the Mesozoic era (the age of the dinosaurs). Over time, the limestone built up with the layers and Benagil Sea Cave has formed about 20 million years ago.

Can you swim in Benagil cave?
The most famous cave is the Benagil cave which is around 150 meters from the coast to the left. So you can even get there by swimming if you want to.

When should I go to Benagil caves?
We recommend visiting the Benagil cave during spring or fall if you can. You will be able to enjoy this beautiful area more because there are fewer people. The Algarve is one of the sunniest regions in Europe. Want to have a airport transfer ? click here

Ria Formosa Natural Park

Wetland of international importance, the Ria Formosa is a maze of canals, islands, marshes and barrier islands, stretching 60kms along the Algarve coast, between the beaches of Manta Rota and Garrão. Are you looking for taxi service in Albufeira ? click here

Vilamoura is a coastal resort in the Loulé municipality in Algarve, Portugal. It is one of the three corners of Algarve’s Golden Triangle. and comprises one of the largest single tourist complexes in Europe. Are you looking for taxi service in Algarve ? click here

This is one of the main resorts in Europe and rightly so. It was built for this purpose, only 20kms from the airport in Faro, Vilamoura covering over 2,000 hectares of land is very well situated in the middle os some of the most famous golf courses in Europe interspersed with biking and hiking trails, luxury hotels and holiday villas.

Stylish and contemporary Vilamoura has been designed purely for pleasure. There is a fantastic range of sport and leisure facilities including golf, water sports, cycling and walking pathways, casino, golden beaches and beautiful gardens. The stunning marina has international restaurants, bars and shops and offers you the perfect place to relax over a cool drink and admire the yachts moored in neat rows. Still confused? Book online taxi in Algarve

Europe’s Finest Beaches, 300 days of Sunshine per year and the best golf courses.

– Europe’s Finest Beaches
– Finest 300 days of Sunshine per year
– Outstanding places to stay
– Award winning marina
– Five internationally recognised golf
– Explore and discover
– Relax in spectacular surroundings
– Create lasting memories
– 175 hectares of Nature reserve
– In harmony with nature
– Experience more
– It’s life, be a part of the style

Vilamoura lifestyle film for the new Vilamoura brand:

Vilamoura World from Ricardo Oliveira Alves on Vimeo.

Want to have a airport transfer ? click here

What To Eat & Drink In Algarve

Portuguese Custom: Couvert

In restaurants, waiters/waitresses will bring you a choice of different meal starters (known as couvert) to your table without an explicit request. These starters typically include bread, butter, and olives. They may also include cheese, sliced sausage, and sardine spread. The couvert is not complimentary, so make sure the waiter/waitress removes what you don’t want to eat from your table. You are obliged to pay for what you try, and what’s left on your table. So, if you just want the olives, just say “Azeitonas.” Are you looking for taxi service in Algarve ? click here

Regional Gastronomy

Arroz de Marisco –Razor Rice with seafood. The seafood generally consists of clams, prawns, mussels and other fish. It’s similar to paella, but a bit more broth-y. This dish serves a minimum of two people and is prepared freshly when you order it. You may wait up to 30 minutes, but it’s worth it.  What To Eat & Drink In Algarve

Cataplana de Peixes e Mariscos – Cataplana of Fish and Shellfish is a regional dish served in a pot. The base consists of onions, peppers, potatoes, garlic, and coriander. Fish and shellfish are added in afterward. This dish also serves a minimum of two people and is prepared freshly when you order it. Still confused? Book online taxi in Algarve

Frango Piri Piri (Chicken Piri Piri) – Piri Piri is a spicy pepper. Chicken Piri Piri is roasted/barbecued chicken that has been marinated in a flavorful sauce containing crushed piri piri, citrus peel, onion, paprika, oregano, basil, tarragon, and lemon juice.  Want to have a airport transfer ? click here

Accommodation in Algarve

One can expect all types of options for accommodation in Algarve, as per the desired budget range. Are you looking for taxi service in Algarve ? click here

Budget: Those looking for cheaper options may go with hostels with shared rooms. One can find hostels with incredible facilities at around €25 in hostels. The best part is that one can find enough options for both cheap, mid-range, and luxury hotels, even during peak seasons. Still confused? Book online taxi in Algarve

Mid-Range: One could easily expect a room at a budget of around Euro 80 –  Euro 140 per night with fair facilities in Algarve. Rooms at this price include decent features, including TV, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, etc.

High-End: Not just in Algarve, luxury hotels are comparatively pricier in entire Portugal. It’s also true that the number of luxury hotels is much lesser in comparison to other high-up tourist destinations. However, the high-end hotels charge around €150-250 per night, with incredible facilities, starting from bar, indoor pools, gymnasium, to fine dining.

Overview of the best hotels in Algarve:

For Families: Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort *****

Best Luxury Hotel in Algarve: Conrad Algarve *****

Offering an infinity pool, the luxury 5-star Conrad Algarve is set in the golfers’ paradise Quinta do Lago. Its high-tech rooms feature balconies overlooking the palms or the pool. Guests can also train at the fitness centre, or enjoy some open-air activity at one of the surrounding golf courses.

Best Boutique Hotel: Vila Monte Farm House *****

The newly-renovated Octant Vila Monte, a member of the Design Hotels group, offers a tranquil retreat with a garden and 2 outdoor swimming pools in Moncarapacho, 10 km from Olhão. Featuring typical Algarve architecture, the unit is divided in 4 buildings, a 10-minute drive away from the Fuseta beach.

Best All-Inclusive Resort in Algarve: Adriana Beach Club Hotel Resort ****

This property is 3 minutes walk from the beach. Surrounded by gardens, all-inclusive Adriana Beach Club is 300 m from Falesia Beach with free sun loungers and umbrellas for guests. It has 2 adult and 2 children’s outdoor pools, sports facilities and a spa with massage facilities.

Best Golf Hotel in Algarve: Hotel Quinta do Lago *****

This property is 9 minutes walk from the beach. Set in the Ria Formosa Natural Park this 5-star unit is the only sea front hotel in Quinta do Lago. Guests of the Hotel Quinta do Lago enjoy walking access to an exclusive sandy beach, where the hotel has its own private area.

Best for Surfing: Vila Valverde Design Country Hotel *****

This charming, 19th century manor house was converted into a design country house with modern interiors. It features free Wi-Fi, indoor and outdoor pools and massage treatments. Praia da Luz is just 2 km away.

Best for Hiking: Monchique Resort – Activities Included *****

Surrounded by nature and views of the Algarve coast, Monchique Resort & Spa is situated in the Serra de Monchique and features restaurants, 2 outdoor pools and a variety of Spa experiences. The resort features a programme of activities that guests may enjoy for free.

Best for quiet beach holidays: Pousada Palacio de Estoi *****

Pousada Palacio de Estoi is located in the town of Estoi, just 10 km from Faro, on the grounds of a beautiful 19th-century palace.

Best budget hotel in Algarve: Dom Pedro Lagos ***

This property is 3 minutes walk from the beach. The Dom Pedro Lagos is an aparthotel located at a short walk from the popular Meia Praia Beach. The property is situated at an 8-minute drive from the Lagos centre. Want to have a airport transfer ? click here    Accommodation in Algarve