Over the years the Algarve has cemented itself as one of the top holiday destinations in Europe. High quality beaches and golf are just a couple of the reasons for this regions soar away success. Although there is a lot to be said for sitting on a beach and soaking up the warm summer sun, it might not be to everyone’s liking and the same can be said for the game of golf. Often people want to get away to do something that they don’t or can’t do in their own country.
Well if the above rings true for you then the remainder of this blog post could well be very interesting. Here we will take a look at some of the other things that this great area in Portugal has to offer.
When to Visit
However, before we get carried away with what to do we should perhaps first take a look at when to go.
Unless you are a big fan of jostling in crowds then it might be sensible to give July and August a miss. The two hottest months of the year represent the time when things get very busy. Even some of the quieter areas can see large volumes of visitors.
Thankfully the warm weather lasts for quite a few months, so if you have the luxury of picking another time then somewhere between April and December are still very good.
Going for a Walk
Of course going for a walk is something that you can do back home; however, often not with the same array of breath-taking views and scenery. Getting away from the congested beach areas can provide the perfect setting in which to take a decent stroll.
Heading for the Quinta do Lago area will give you the opportunity to embark on any of the two purpose-built nature trails. So as well as stretching the legs it will provide an excellent opportunity to see the area up close and personal. A suggestion when staying in this area is to check out the excellent Monte da Quinta resort, where guests have a choice of either the suites or the club accommodation.
More energetic walks can be found near the Spanish border which will see hikers crossing forests and mountains before finding themselves in the South Westerly tip of Portugal.
Driving in the Algarve
To get to the starting point of any of these walks it is very likely that you will need to organise a car. Considerations should be given to the electronic toll system that Portugal uses on its main trunk road (A22). It is well worth speaking to the car hire company or checking the website to make sure you know about the possible toll levies before travelling too far.
Fun Away from the Beach
Continuing the theme of staying clear of the beaches, a great many people find the area of Albufeira well-worth a visit.
Here you will be able to witness first hand gigantic sand sculptures. Each and every year, international sand sculptors attend to work their magic. This event runs from May to October each year. A word of caution here, it is essential that you wear protective clothing including a hat and sunscreen as the hot summer sun can get a little overpowering.
When the sun goes down the area is transformed with an array of music and dancers. Colourful lights serve to make this an even more impressive event. A tip here is to try to arrive just before the sun goes down, this way you will have an opportunity to witness both sides of this display.
Steven Capocci understands that some holiday-makers want more than just great beaches from their holiday experience. Therefore he recommends staying at somewhere like the Monte da Quinta which will act as a great base from which you can explore the many activities on offer in the local area.
By Olivia GrilHey Folks! I'm Olivia from California, United States. I'm a blogger, travel lover, I can travel anywhere, whether it's a new place or already visited. I love meeting new people, clicking photos of every movement, and documenting my adventure. I also, write about travel, travel movies, the best places to visit, etc. Read my stories.
