Algarve

The Algarve is Portugal's southern coast: roughly 200 km of Atlantic shoreline running from the cliffs of Cape St Vincent in the west to the Guadiana river and the Spanish border in the east. It's close to home, with flights of under three hours from the UK and no time difference, and it does the beach holiday very well: golden sand, clear water, relaxed resorts, good seafood and plenty of golf.

Why go

West of Faro, the Barlavento coast is all ochre cliffs, sea stacks and grottoes, from Ponta da Piedade near Lagos to Praia da Marinha and the Benagil sea cave. East of Faro, the Sotavento is flatter and quieter, with the lagoons and barrier islands of the Ria Formosa Natural Park and long beaches you reach by ferry. Behind the coast lie whitewashed villages, orange groves, cork oaks and the green hills of Monchique.

When to go

The Algarve gets around 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. July and August are hot, with daytime averages of about 29°C, and they're the busiest months. May, June, September and October bring warm days, quieter beaches and better value. The Atlantic stays fresh, from about 15°C in January to around 21°C in late summer. Winters are mild and good for walking and golf.

Getting there from the UK

You fly into Faro, the region's airport, in about 2 hours 45 minutes. There are direct flights from the London airports and from many regional airports around the UK. Most resorts are between 25 minutes and an hour from the airport by road, and we arrange the transfer for you.

Where to stay

• Albufeira: the liveliest resort, with an old town above Praia dos Pescadores, big family hotels and plenty of nightlife. Good for first-timers and families.
• Praia da Rocha and Alvor: a huge cliff-backed beach at Portimão, and a quieter fishing village next door with a boardwalk across the dunes.
• Lagos and Praia da Luz: a walled old town, sea caves to paddle into and a relaxed village beach. Good for couples and active holidays.
• Vilamoura: a marina, golf courses and a long sandy beach, close to the airport.
• Tavira: a traditional riverside town and the gateway to the island beach of Ilha de Tavira. Good for a quieter, more local stay.

What to do

Take a boat trip to the Benagil cave or paddle a kayak through the grottoes of Ponta da Piedade. Go looking for dolphins with a marine biologist. Island-hop across the Ria Formosa from Faro. Head inland by jeep to Monchique and taste honey and medronho. Spend a day at Zoomarine with the children, tour a Lagoa wine estate, or cross the border for a day in Seville.

Food

Seafood leads the menu: grilled sardines in summer, cataplana (fish or clams stewed in a copper pan), octopus and clams. Piri-piri chicken is a speciality of Guia, near Albufeira. For something sweet, look for the Algarve's almond and fig pastries, and finish with medronho, the strawberry-tree brandy distilled in the hills.

Good to know

• Currency: euro (€)
• Time: the same as the UK all year round
• Language: Portuguese; English is widely spoken in the resorts
• Plugs: type C and F (two round pins), 230 V. Bring an adaptor
• Passports: check the Schengen passport-validity rules before you travel. UK visitors are registered at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System

Tell us your airport and dates, and we'll put your Algarve holiday together.