climate

The Algarve has a wonderful climate. Early February brings out the almond blossom, followed quickly by the first crop of citrus fruit, Spring is full of color in the Algarve, although with a growing season ten months long, the gardens are rarely without the scent of flowers.Welcome summer breezes from the sea give relief from the day time heat of the sun in july and August, whilst an extended autumn provides excelent weather right into November.

sport and entertainment

Land of sun and sea, the Algarve proves time after time that it possesses the perfect natural and climatic conditions to confirm itself as an excellent holiday destination in which to hold a wide range of entertainment events. From music and film festivals, to gastronomy and handicrafts, not forgetting sport, and the most appreciated golf fields, the Algarve offers a calendar packed with great events throughout the year, which acts as a strong complement to the "Sun and Sand" product, and allows the region's tourist attractions to diversify and thus fight the seasonality that is still felt in this region.

architecture

The Algarve has been and is still a melting pot of various cultures, not least of which were the Arabs, and reveals multiple influences in the architecture of its houses. Along a wide section of the coastline flat roof terraces known as "açoteias" are almost constant. In the "serra" uplands of the interior low and long houses with saddle-roofs are preferred. One feature is common to all Algarve houses: the whitewash on the walls, eaves and chimneys. The chimneys are a symbol of the Algarve region. They take on the most varied of shapes, from those with simple grooves, to those that boast complicated and beautiful lacework and even those representing miniature clock towers or houses

gastronomy

Land of fishermen facing the Atlantic Ocean, the Algarve is a paradise for anyone who enjoys fish and shellfish. People in the Algarve have centuries of experience in preparing fish. The simplest, but always delicious, is to grill the fish on a slow charcoal fire, as happens with the silvery sardine, the sea-bream and red mullet. We can't miss out the main recipe of Algarve cuisine, the heavenly tasting ameijoas na cataplana (clams cooked in a special cataplana pan).

 Source: Algarve Tourist Board - official site:  http://www.rtalgarve.pt