Not to be missed! Our TOP 10 hits – from the absolute No. 1 to No. 10 – TOP 10 help you plan your tour of the most important sights.

PONTA DA PIEDADE P124 IGREJA DE SÃO LOURENÇO Enjoy picture-perfect views off P96 the coast of Lagos – bizarre, This small church on the edge of ­majestic cliffs interrupted by a Almancil enchants visitors with its medley of natural arches and azulejos – the tiled décor here is caves. They’re best experienced extremely hard to beat. on a boat tour.  P66 CABO DE SÃO VICENTE With its river, churches, small P127 ­castle, camera obscura and Frequently whipped by hellish ­numerous refreshment stops, winds, this Cape, named after Tavira – the springboard for ex­ St. Vincent, plunges spectacularly ploring the Ilha de Tavira – boasts down into the roaring sea below. a selection of great attractions!

PRAIA DA FALÉSIA P92 RIO GUADIANA P70 This magnificent beach is the This border river flows peacefully sandy flagship of the . past Vila Real de Santo António, Overlooked by imposing walls the castle town of , and of rust-red cliffs, the Praia’s the bird-rich wetlands of the ­sweeping expanse of sand lies Reserva Natural do Sapal. in the east of Albufeira, a popular holiday resort. ILHA DA CULATRA P98 This island, home to the pretty OLHÃO P94 ­villages of Culatra and Farol, is in The fish market hall is a real high­ a world of its own. The boat ride light, and the fruit and vegetable through the Ria da Formosa nature stands are lively affairs, especially park is worth the trip alone. if you go on a Saturday. FARO P100 PRAIA DO AMADO P158 The Algarve’s largest city surprises A wildly romantic, rugged Atlantic visitors with its harbour, its historic beach (image left, as seen at low architecture and its vibrant, tide) near Carrapateira. It’s the ­bustling atmosphere. Check out ­perfect playground for ­surfers on the well-preserved Old Town that’s the Costa Vicentina. surrounded by mighty walls. The Magazine The Magazine

If you look and listen closely, you’ll still see traces of the Moorish legacy all over the Algarve. The fi rst clue is in the name of the region itself, which comes from the Arabic Al Gharb (“the West”). This refers to the western A MOORISH boundary of the Islamic Empire, a territory that stretched far across the Iberian Peninsula (the landmass that’s home to Portugal and Spain today). The darker­skinned foreigners built towns, mosques, Quran schools and palaces in their new home, decorating them with horseshoe arches, wood­ LEGACY en coffered ceilings, stone latticed windows and azulejos (P30), the tiles that are still widespread today. The Moors’ economic stalwarts included The Algarve meets North Africa agriculture and textile production, and their trade routes spread out across the Mediterranean. Our story starts in the 8th century, when the Moors followed Whitewashed Houses and Well-stocked Pantries in the footsteps of the Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and The Moors liked to whitewash their houses. This is still a common sight Barbarians and conquered southern Portugal. Their culture in many villages today – in some parts of the Algarve, you might even feel as if you’ve been transported to North Africa. The Moors also placed a and architecture infl uenced the region until the 13th century. huge amount of signifi cance on their pantries. Preserving food was a true

The Algarve’s almond trees were introduced by the Moors

10 11 Eastern Algarve Getting Your Bearings

Alcoutim Getting Your Bearings 11 The eastern part of Portugal’s sunny southern region is known as the Sotavento algarvio – the “leeward Algarve”. It’s famous for its Corte impressive sandy beaches that run seamlessly into one another da Seda around Manta Rota and Monte Gordo. The region isn’t completely Balurcos unspoilt (you’ll see some hulking concrete edifices behind the beaches, particularly in Monte Gordo), but there are still some isolated, unblemished spots to be found – check out the fragrant pine forests Palmeira nearby and large swathes of the Ilha de Tavira, an island that’s part Guerreiros of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (P108). do Rio Rio Guadiana

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Foz de Odeleite

Barragem Odeleite de Odeleite An architectural highlight: Tavira’s Roman Bridge Almada Murteira de Ouro

Barragem TOP 10 de Beliche Azinhal ' Tavira P66 ( Rio Guadiana P70

Junqueira Don’t Miss Families with kids will have a great time going shell hunting The lagoon by + Alcoutim P72 on the SIlha de Tavira’s long, sandy beach. People usually Cacela Velha Reserva Natural , P74 reach the island from Tavira, the most attractive and do Sapal 14 - Vila Real de Santo ­diverse town in the region. Tavira’s justified reputation 0 5 km IP 1 12 is based on its selection of good eateries and Castro António P76 0 3 mi Marim Vila Real de special cultural sites, including the Igreja da Santo António Vila Nova São Misericórdia, a church in the Old Town IP 1 Santa Rita de Cacela Bartolomeu 13 At Your Leisure that’s covered in azulejos. Right out Lagoa 15 São Marcos . Reserva Natural east is the Rio Guadiana, a boundary 17 17 16 Monte Gordo river that marks the border with Conceição Manta Rota do Sapal P78 Santo Estevão Cacela Velhaelha Spain and flows past the castle / Monte Gordo P79 town of Alcoutim, the small 7 Tavira Cabanas 0 Manta Rota P79 Reserva Natural do Sapal nature 1 Cacela Velha P79 reserve and Vila Real de Santo Luz 18 Santa Luzia 2 Santa Luzia P80 António, a lively city that’s a good place to shop. The 3 Ilha de Tavira P80 latter is the starting point 19 Ilha de Tavira for charming river trips along the Rio Guadiana. The region also boasts such gems as the village of Cacela Velha and the salt marshes around Castro Marim that are home to flamingos and other birds. One thing’s Sardines from the grill are for sure – you won’t be bored in the eastern Algarve! a tasty summer treat

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