Have you ever seen jaw-dropping limestone cliffs jutting into the ocean? Well, if you’ve been to the Algarve, you’ve seen some of Mother Nature’s finest work. Even though I had heard a lot about the beauty of the Algarve and why you should visit the Algarve, I was not prepared to experience a taste of Malibu on the Mediterranean. And although geographically, Portugal is not on the Mediterranean, it definitely has a Mediterranean vibe.
Related post: Best Algarve Beaches For Your Trip to Portugal
While exploring many towns along the Algarvian coast, I found each to have its own unique charm, even though all share the common bond of beautiful beaches that range from wide stretches backed by sand dunes to small coves tucked behind rock formations.
With more than 100 beaches scattered across more than 100 miles of beautiful coastline, you could hop to a different beach each day of the summer.
During the Portuguese era of “discoveryâ€, ships would set sail from the Algarve and return with herbs, spices, and goods from around the world. So, it’s no surprise that seafood is done well and prepared in a variety of ways, from Moorish-influenced grilled fish to traditional fish stews.
During my personal tasting of Algarvian cuisine, I discovered foods that I had never tried before, including octopus salad, Portuguese-style grilled sardines, cod pataniscas, Algarvian-style fish caldeirada, and abade priscos bacon pudding.
The creativity and mix of ingredients in Algarvian cooking was quite appealing and tasty, and when you combine great food with great views of the ocean, who could ask for anything more?
From Beverly Hills-style mansions to quaint, historic towns, there’s something for everyone in the Algarve. While I was most content with relaxing on the beach and by the pool, you could opt for hitting the links at more than 40 golf courses, hiking cliffs, sailing, exploring caves, and visiting historical sites, such as the Slave Market Museum in Lagos, now an art gallery.
As one of the top beach destinations in Europe, not only do the beaches have real sand, but they have some absolutely stunning settings.
And that’s why you should visit the Algarve. Have you been to the Algarve?
