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Things to Do & See<br />
Whatever type of holiday you want to have, you can find it in the<br />
Algarve. For history buffs, there’s the historic town of Silves<br />
with its dramatic citadel and orange tree-lined streets. Or, if<br />
you want to party, there’s the strip in Albufeira. Upmarket and<br />
sophisticated Villamoura has classy resorts and superyachts<br />
in the harbour, while golf fans have 31 stunning courses to<br />
choose from.<br />
One of the things we like the most about the Algarve is that<br />
you’re never too far from a beautiful beach. From the wild and<br />
rugged stretch of coast in Sagres, which feels like the end of the<br />
Earth, to a sunbather’s paradise in Quarteira, there’s something to<br />
meet the tastes of every palate.<br />
The Algarve is a great place for water sports of all kinds. There’s<br />
excellent surfing to be found, especially on the west coast, but<br />
stand-up paddleboarding is becoming an increasingly popular<br />
way to experience the sea at a statelier pace. One of the best ways<br />
to discover the dramatic coastline is by kayak, with guided tours<br />
available around hotspots like the Algar de Benagil, a natural sea<br />
cave with a huge skylight that’s only accessible by sea.<br />
When it comes to getting a feel for the real Algarve, we recommend<br />
a visit to the beautiful town of Lagos. The walled Old Town is a<br />
warren of narrow cobbled streets, trendy coffee shops, and some<br />
of the best restaurants in the region.<br />
Dining<br />
The Portuguese love their fish and nothing is more sacred<br />
to them than the humble sardine. There are festivals<br />
dedicated to the small silver fish and you’ll see them<br />
on flags, souvenirs, and barbecues across the Algarve.<br />
One of our favourite places to see the abundance of<br />
delightful fresh food available in the Algarve is at the<br />
Mercados de Olhão. The pair of brick market halls on<br />
the waterfront are packed with sellers offering the best<br />
fruits, vegetables, seafood, cheeses, and some of the<br />
most delicious honey you’ll ever try.<br />
The other national obsession is with sweet pastries. When<br />
you’re in Lagos, don’t miss Padaria Central, the centuries-old<br />
bakery where locals queue up alongside tourists to buy fresh<br />
pastel de nata and bolinhos de canela.<br />
Accommodation<br />
There are so many ways to experience the Algarve. If you want a<br />
relaxing holiday around the pool, then Albufeira with its familyfriendly<br />
resorts is an ideal getaway. If you want something a little<br />
more private, we recommend renting a villa – and for this, there’s<br />
none better than Shanti Villas Algarve, a <strong>Travel</strong> and <strong>Hospitality</strong><br />
Award winner. Check out the next page to find out more.<br />
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