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

Alcalar

The Alcalar burial chambers are a series of Neolithic dolmen passage tombs. The drive here is a delight in itself, among ancient oak and olive trees.
Alcantarilha

Known for its gruesome bone chapel, with the skeletal remains of 1,500 former parishioners completely covering the ceilings and walls.
Alcoutim

The town’s 14th-century castle keeps one timeworn eye on its townsfolk and the other on the old adversary, Sanlúcar, Alcoutim’s mirror image on the Spanish side of the River Guadiana. The silence here is palpable, interrupted only by the chiming hour and the rattle of stork bills as they chatter to one another from church towers and chimney stacks.
Alcoutim

Enjoying a lovely setting, Alcoutim commands glorious views across the River Guadiana and the Spanish town of Sanlúcar. Built in the 14th century, it was here that the short-lived peace treaty between Fernando I and Henrique of Castile was signed on 31 March, 1371.
Alcoutim

The ramparts of a 14th-century castle still stand vigil over this delightful riverside hamlet nestling on the upper reaches of the River Guadiana. On the Spanish side, the equally slumbering village of Sanlúcar amounts to a mirror image of Alcoutim. Once upon a time these two neigbours were at war with each other and it was in the castle that Dom Fernando I of Portugal and his Spanish counterpart, Henrique II of Castile, signed a short-lived peace treaty in 1371. Boats regularly shuttle between the two villages.

Alcoutim
Algarve Agency

Offering one of the largest selections of luxury Algarve villas and self-catering apartments for rent, the UK-based Algarve Agency also lists hotels in major resorts. Golf, flight information and late bargains are also at hand.
Algarve International Music Festival

Prestigious arts festival whose luminaries have included Luciano Pavarotti. A series of music, song and dance performances takes place mid-summer across the Algarve. It ranges from jazz to graceful ballet and from choral ensembles to melancholicfado (a kind of Portuguese blues). There’s a thriving fringe element to the proceedings that is often ethnic in flavour and wonderfully surprising in nature.
Algarve Retreats

A holiday company that lists a variety of carefully selected quality villas, apartments and hotels in the western Algarve and the historic town of Lagos. The specialist agency can also arrange car hire on your behalf.
Algarve Shopping Centre

Modern mall with national and international chains, hyper-market, multi-screen cinema and food hall.
Algarve Shopping, Guia

The exterior of this shopping complex is striking in its colour scheme, following the geometric pattern of traditional Algarve architecture. The mall boasts more than 130 stores, 45 fashion boutiques, a hypermarket and food hall.