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

Aqualand – The Big One

Head first or feet first, dare to disappear down one of the huge tubular water chutes and you will find yourself twisting and turning in spiralling loops to be discharged with a huge splash into a vast swimming pool below. This is Europe’s biggest open-air waterpark and is set in a landscape of shady palms and trim gardens with lots to do between getting dunked.
Arade Mar

This ancient waterway allows for an absorbing journey to Silves (Silves), where you can explore for an hour before the return.

Arade Mar cruise
Armação de Pêra

The beach here is one of the longest in the Algarve and fronts a commercial hub of tall, angular apartment blocks, seafront hotels and rows of cafés and bistro bars. But this is all rather functional, so instead everyone heads east for Pêra’s livelier old town, spread around the site of a small fortress.
Arraiolos/Pavia

The foundations of the castle at Arraiolos date back to Celtic times, while in Pavia, 18 km (11 miles) to the north, a tiny chapel has been built into a dolmen – architecturally unique in Portugal.
Arrifana

Craggy, precipitous cliffs tower over Arrifana’s superb beach and accompanying village, which looks as though it’s about to be swallowed up by the dunes. This is the west coast at its wildest and most desolate, attracting only die-hard surfers and those seeking solace with the elements.
Arroz de Polvo

A regional speciality which again evokes the Algarve’s love affair with the sea. Tender morsels of fresh octopus are added to a mix of fried onion and parsley, and then gently boiled with wine vinegar and a dash of chilli powder. Rice is added with salt and pepper to taste. The meal is usually served with a side dish of black olives and generous slices of crusty bread.
Artistic Extravagance

The discovery of gold and diamonds in Brazil during the reign of Pedro II (1683–1706) later finances a period of great artistic extravagance under João V, who rules until 1750.
Atelier Opalina

A stunning range of hand-made jewellery fashioned out of gold, silver, mother-of-pearl and precious stones.
Avenida Tomás Cabreira, Praia da Rocha

One of the first tourist resorts in the Algarve, with a long esplanade crammed with glitzy bars and trendy nightclubs.
Bagaceira

Distilled from grape residue, this no-nonsense brandy is good for chasing down a strong black coffee.