Algarve beyond the beach resorts

While hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers flock to the Algarve every year, there’s a lot more to this region of southern Portugal than simply the great beaches for which it’s so well known. The towns and village of the Algarve offer a fascinating blend of history, culture and local cuisine. With competitive flights servicing the region’s busy airports, the Algarve is an attractive option for those wishing to get under the skin of a region at a gentle pace.

Here are a few of our highlights of the Algarve:

Tavira

Tavira is a laid-back town which has managed to preserve its charm despite recent development. Historical treasures include the 11th-century Castelo de Tavira, built on the site of a Phoenician fortress; the 13th-century Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo, built over an earlier mosque and holding the tombs of seven Christian knights; and the 16th-century Igreja da Misericordia with its carved doorway and captivating set of azulejo tiles.

Faro

Most visitors use Faro as little more than an entry point to the Algarve, but there are plenty of reasons to stick around and take a closer look. The medieval walls of the town enclose a picturesque old town, blessed with attractive churches and cobbled squares, as well as several theatres and a good selection of cafés and restaurants. The municipal museum is housed in the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assunção in what was once the town’s Jewish quarter. Just outside Faro is the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a set of tranquil lagoons and beaches which are ideal for hiking, biking and birdwatching (the wetland is an important habitat for many species including flamingos, buzzards and kingfishers).

Loulé

A few miles in from the coast, this medieval town is dominated by its Moorish fortress. It was the under Moorish rule that Loulé grew into a major trading town, and there are still signs of the Moorish legacy; look out for the bell tower of the Igreja São Clemente, which was originally a minaret. The weekly gypsy market on Saturdays attracts many visitors, and the town is known for its handicrafts; you can find artisan workshops scattered around the town.

Silves

Another important town under Moorish rule, Silves is home to the impressive Castelo de Silves, while the cathedral is one of few surviving gothic churches in the region. The town is well known as a centre for local citrus fruit and cork production, and its setting on the banks of the Rio Arade makes it a pleasant place to explore for a morning.

Monchique

Set in the wooded hills of the Serra de Monchique, this pretty market town is made of whitewashed houses and narrow cobbled streets. It’s very popular as a base for hiking, horse riding and cycling in the surrounding countryside. Monchique is also known for its honey, as well as medronho, a potent spirit made from the fruit of the medronho tree (also known as a strawberry tree).

Sagres

This town at the south-west tip of Portugal has a rich maritime history and boasts fabulous views across the coast. Visitors inevitably end up at the picturesque harbour, while the town’s 15th-century fortress stares out over the dramatic cliffs; Prince Henry the Navigator set up his navigation school here. The Cape of Sao Vicente, the most south-western point of mainland Europe, is barely 4 miles from the town.

Many of the places mentioned here are included in Sunvil’s 7-night The Real Algarve itinerary.