Nature and culture in Algarve

The Algarve, a coastal region in southern Portugal, is partly included in the potential and future territorial context of the ‘Geopark’, a naturalistic but also historical and cultural ‘Unesco Global Heritage Site‘.

This area is rich in mystery and very much linked to Portuguese tradition, including Muslim and Roman past influences, strengthening nowadays’ local identity under an innovative perspective.

In Algarve, any tourist feels like being part of this region and its culture: beautiful landscapes, small towns and villages which offer more than a simple ‘blue flag coast’ beach-life.

Western Aljezur and eastern Tavira are absolutely different towns immersed in local nature, from rocky coasts overlooking the sea to white sand and lagoon beaches in preserved natural parks. These places also maintain their unique traditional Portuguese life-style which is also revealed in the architecture of local houses and buildings.

In the hinterland and not far away from the sea, tourists can find Silves, a distinctive town with its vermilion red castle and a typical local, bright architecture of Muslim influence.

Faro, further east of Tavira, is the capital of Algarve. This city also presents muslim historical aspects like the walls and an ancient gate, access to the city center. In addition, tourists can find lagoon beaches with local animals like the flamingos, Mediterranean plants, fruit trees, mostly orange trees, while, further north, hills and even archaeological remains of the Roman civilization.