DK Travel : The Algarve

The Moors called their al-Gharb the Sunset Land, and visitors have been waxing lyrical ever since. Blessed with a mild winter climate and a sunny disposition, Portugal’s playground province remains one of the most popular year-round holiday destinations in southern Europe. Lively coastal resorts spill over ribbons of golden sand in sharp contrast to the quiet villages of the hinterland, where history and tradition go hand in hand.

Folk dancers

Castro Marim

The timeworn frontier town of Castro Marim looms with genteel poise over the mouth of the River Guadiana, and its twin castles bear witness to the strategic importance the settlement played during centuries past. Grand views from the ramparts of the main 13th-century stronghold encompass the Reserva Natural do Sapal to the north and Vila Real de Santo António to the south. Spain shimmers in the distance. See Villa Real and Castro Marim.
Castro Marim

The excellent par 71 Atlantic Course commands glorious views across the River Guadiana and to Spain beyond. The new layout features a number of lakes, undulating fairways and elevated greens, and has been designed to offer a challenging yet relaxing experience to golfers of all levels.
Centro Comercial de Portimão

Modest in size when compared with other malls in the region, Portimão nevertheless tempts shoppers with a choice of 62 stores selling everything from microwaves to shoe horns, bikinis to mountain bikes.
Centro Comercial Modelo de Portimão

The Modelo hypermarket is the huge anchor store in this busy shopping complex.
Charcutaria, Castelo de Vide

Bottles of wine, honey, sweets and cakes, and spicy sausages make up some of the regional goodies for sale in this traditionalloja (shop).
Christian Crusades

Though Christians reconquer central Portugal in the 12th century, the Algarve is still firmly under Moorish rule. Dom Sancho (1185–1211) briefly takes Silves in 1189, but the city is recaptured by Al-Mansur. Dom Sancho II (1223–48) later launches a campaign to invade southern Portugal with the help of northern European Crusaders.
Climb to Rocha dos Soidos, Alte

Combines exploration of Alte, arguably the prettiest village in the Algarve, with a hike to the summit of Rocha dos Soidos. The climb is long and steady rather than steep. It will take about three hours to complete the round trip which includes an alternative route of descent via Soidos de Baixo.
Coastal Walks

A favourite is the footpath from Luz to Burgau. It starts in open countryside, follows the coastline along the lip of a cliff, then slopes to the sea.
Coisas de Monsaraz

Homemade jams and other assorted knick-knacks can be bought from this friendly little arts and craft shop nestling in the shadows of the castle walls.
Condor de Vilamoura

Choose either a three-hour trip to Albufeira’s coastal grottoes or a 7-hour cruise with beach barbecue at Armação de Pêra.