Activities in the Algarve

Beautiful sandy beaches are found in all the Algarve regions offering swimming, sunbathing and water sports. The beaches vary from idyllic small bays on the rocky coast to long sandy beaches near lively seaside resorts.

Western Algarve is the best place for surfers. The South as well as the West coast have areas with ideal surf conditions. Walking is great along the coast or in hilly Serra de Monchique with the Fóia and Picota peaks (902 metres and 773 metres respectively).

Bird watchers should definitely visit the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina nature reserve which hosts hundreds of bird species.

Central Algarve has many golf and tennis courses and other sports facilities. Two exclusive golf resorts are Vale do Lobo en Quinta do Lago. Both have villas, hotels and apartments hidden under pine trees. Some of the large seaside resorts offer surfing, water skiing, snorkelling and boat trips. Walks lead along the cliffs following the coast or inland over the green rolling country side.

Sports are a good option in the Eastern Algarve too. Cycling is possible on the many small country lanes and mountain biking following the unpaved sand tracks. Although most of the golf courses are located in the middle of the Algarve there are some beautiful ones in the east too. To explore the rich birdlife take a boat trip through the lagoons of the Natural Park Ria daFormosa