Algarve And Alentejo Overview

The Algarve and the Alentejo form a striking contrast. The Alentejo’s small villages, seemingly stuck in another time, provide an escape from the Algarve’s heavily touristed beaches and wild nightlife. Nearly 3000hr. of annual sunshine have transformed the Algarve from a fishermen’s backwater town into one of Europe’s favorite vacation spots. In July and August, visitors mob its resorts, packing bars and discos from sunset until long after sunrise. Still, the Algarve isn’t all about excess. The region between Faro and the Spanish border remains relatively untouched, and, to the west of Lagos, towering cliffs shelter pristine beaches. Life slows down even more as you enter the Alentejo, where arid plains punctuated by olive trees, two-toned cork trees, and fields of wheat and sunflowers stretch to the horizon in a display of endless shades of yellow. This vast region appeals to those in search of relaxation, history, and plenty of wine. The Algarve and Alentejo provide visitors with the best of both worlds.

Spelunk among the grottoes and sea cliffs of Lagos .
Channel the spirit of Prince Henry the Navigator at his outpost in Sagres .
Feel it in your bones at Évora’s Capela dos Ossos .
Storm the walls of the 13th-century castle in Marvão .

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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.