The Algarve (Faro) is on the southern coast of
Portugal and incorporates the towns of Faro, Lagos, and Sagres. A popular
tourist destination, primarily because of its Mediterranean climate with 3,000
sunshine hours, clean beaches with waters warmed by the Gulf Stream of the
Atlantic Ocean. This brightly coloured region with its fig trees, orange groves
and almond trees is also the most verdant and fertile area of Portugal. The
temperatures are ideal for playing golf on one of the seven golf courses in the
area.
The south facing coastline of 155 km, about 52 km stretches towards the
north, consisting of a long stretch of sandy beaches broken up by extraordinary
rugged cliffs and fantastic grottoes.
The region was dominated by the Moors for 500 years, which they named Al
Gharb, meaning 'the western land'. The territory was the last to be conquered by
the Portuguese King, in 1292. Traces of the Moorish presence can still be seen
in its unique architecture of whitewashed houses, terraces and chimneys.