Hotels in Algarve

The Algarve is Portugal's southernmost region, a roughly 155 km strip of Atlantic coastline running from the Spanish border at Vila Real de Santo Antonio in the east to Sagres at the country's south-western tip. Geographically it splits into three zones - the gentler Sotavento (eastern Algarve) around Tavira and Faro, the busier Barlavento (central Algarve) around Albufeira and Lagos, and the rugged Costa Vicentina protected coastline running north from Sagres.

The region is best known for ochre sandstone cliffs, sea caves like Benagil, and a string of beaches that consistently rank among Europe's best. Beyond the coast, hilltop villages like Silves and Monchique sit in the Serra de Monchique mountains, while traditional fishing towns like Olhao and Tavira show the older, quieter face of the region. The Algarve also has the highest concentration of golf courses in continental Europe and is one of Portugal's main wine and almond-producing regions.

With around 300 days of sunshine a year and warm Atlantic water from June through October, the Algarve works as both a summer beach destination and a year-round mild-climate escape. Faro Airport (FAO) handles direct flights from most European hubs, and a single rail line plus the A22 motorway tie the region together end to end.