The southern coast of Portugal, including the towns of Sagres Faro and Lagos receives the name of The Algarve. The town of Faro is the region’s administrative center, which controls 16 Municipalities and has its´ own international airport.
Over 5.411 square kilometers compose The Algarve, and approximately 410, 000 permanent inhabitants, a figure that swells to over a million at the height of summer, due to a high influx of tourists.
Primarily because of its Mediterranean climate, clean, warm water beaches, its safety and relatively low costs, The Algarve is a popular destination for tourism.
The coastline outstands due to its picturesque limestone caves and grottoes, especially around Lagos, which are accessible via powerboat.
Praia da Marinha, Lagoa is considered one of the 100 most wonderful and well preserved beaches of the world. Other beautiful and famous summer places include, among others, Albufeira, Vilamoura, Portimão, Armação de Pêra, Lagos, Monte Gordo, Quarteira and Tavira.
Having the vast ocean of the Atlantic as its southern and western border, as well as a location on the tip of Europe, this enviable position provides the region with possibly the most unpolluted climate within Europe.
16 Municipalities compose the Region:
Albufeira
Alcoutim
Aljezur
Castro Marim
Faro
Lagoa
Lagos
Loulé
Monchique
Olhão
Portimão
São Brás de Alportel
Silves
Tavira
Vila do Bispo
Vila Real de Santo António
In order to avoid frequent confussions, it should be noted that the Algarve province and the Faro district correspond exactly to the same territory.
Car hire in Algarve