Algarve

Moving around the area

Car
One of the best ways to discover the Algarve is to rent a car. There are many car rental companies, it is a crowded market. It is best to book as early as possible from the country of origin or with a tour operator, in this way you will ensure that you get what you want.
Before driving in the Algarve, there are some things you should know: the alcohol level limit is 0.5g / l, the equivalent to a small beer, and the maximum speed in populated areas is 60 km / h, 90 km / h outside and 120 km / h on motorways.

Two-wheeled vehicles

Several companies rent bicycles, mopeds, scooters and motorcycles. Prices vary depending on the number of days you want to rent, but the average per day for a scooter is 25 € and 10 € for a bicycle. The more days you rent for, the cheaper the price.

Taxi

Algarve Taxis are either green or black and have a sign on the roof that marks them as a taxi. All use pay by meter.

Buses

If you plan to travel by bus, it is best to get a schedule at a station or in your hotel or at some other place. The main bus companies are EVA Transport, National Express and Rede Renex, which facilitate transport into, out of the Algarve.
EVA Transport Company Viação means do Algarve and also to unite the different parts of the Algarve, the Algarve also links to Lisbon, Porto and Évora and with other international cities like Paris, Geneva, Zurich and Hamburg.

Trains

The trains are clean, comfortable, cheap and punctual, the CP (the railway company) has a network with multiple lines. Algarve lines begin in Lisbon to Barreiro station on the south side of the river Tagus.

Events

The main attraction are the region's beaches, although in recent years there has been more diversify in the type of entertainments available.
An example of this would be the conduct of major sporting events like Euro 2004, Portugal, during which he three matches were played in Faro. The World Volleyball championship, international golf some stages of the Lisbon-Dakar also took place in the area .

In June, the Algarve holds many local festivals, towns and cities are decorated with flags and flowers, people dance around the fire and flame jump, drink wine and eat grilled sardines.

Practices can be observed in situ and salt extraction, fishing, or shellfish harvesting.
Very interesting is the "Magusto", this event differs slightly from one region to another but is practised all over Portugal. Groups of friends and families gather around a bonfire to roast chestnuts and eat, drink jeropiga, tell stories and sing traditional songs.
Other typical festivities that are worth enjoying Easter, Christmas and New Year, with many traditions.

Gastronomy

Fig, almond and carob are traditional agricultural products of the Algarve. The production of strawberry brandy or bark is another traditional product of the area.

The gastronomy of Algarve highlights dishes like salt cod, grilled sardines, the seafood cataplana , seabass, tuna, fish soup, vegetable soup, stuffed squid and delicious risotto.
As for meat, chicken with cherry bean stew and dishes made with game meat like febrer Porco, porco the Alentejo, soaked lamb and feijoada. Among the sweets, we must stress the mordago of almonds and figs stuffed. All accompanied by wines from Lagos, Lagoa and Tavir: fruity red wines and some quite dry whites.

Worth seeing

The Algarve is the most developed of the provinces of Portugal, thanks to some wonderful beaches, warm, calm waters and fine golden sand and stunning landscapes. There are a range of different facilities including, Tourist resorts, luxury hotels and resorts, but also small fishing villages such as Santa Luzia and Sagres.

Beaches include: beach of Manta Rota beach of Tavira Island beach, Meia, Odeceixe beach, beach of Galé ...

There are also some interesting natural parks such as Omega Park, Bridge of Mercy or The Pillory.

In addition the Algarve has some of the best golf courses in Europe: Villa Sol Spa & Golf Resort, Parque de Floresta and Pinhal Golf Club.

Some other places of interest are: the Mirador del Cabo San Vicente de Sagres, the cathedrals of Faro and Silves, the Church of Carmen de Faro, the Municipal Museum of Archaeology of Silves, the Municipal Museum and Lapidar Infante D. Henrique de Faro, Plaza Luis de Camoes in Lagos.