The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal. More than just a visually stunning area, this place offers a number of deluxe hotels and resorts as well as ideal places to get back to nature such as Tavira and Santa Luzia villages.

The beaches that can be found in The Algarve cater for all tastes: deserted or crowded, flat or deep, with calm waters or rough waters. Nevertheless all of them have some features in common such as fine and white sand, warm and crystal clear waters.

Even sports people and golf lovers will hugely enjoy themselves at this perfectly charming place, since Europe's best golf courses can be found here.

Golf is one of the most typical sports in Portugal. Given the area's warm and stable climate and the long sun hours, The Algarve has become an ideal place for playing golf all year round.

About thirty golf courses can be found in The Algarve, where matches and tournaments take place for both experienced and scratch players on a regular basis.

Owing to the outstanding quality of the fairways, it is hardly surprising that golf players from all over the world visit these courses.

What is more, most golf courses have been designed by highly prestigious men such as Rocky Roquemore, Henry Cotton and Arnold Palmer.

Each golf course has its own special features. From simple courses to more complex and rugged ones, a fascinating variety can be found here. Once again, these courses have a common feature: the beautiful sea in the background.

Nowadays, some of Europe's best golf courses are the Old Course of Vilamoura and San Lorenzo. The rest of the courses in The Algarve are included in the international circuit.

The Algarve offers endless possibilities when it comes to beaches. Small houses can be seen along the shore and in the horizon and here visitors can let their imagination run wild and weave all kind of fantasies by the sea.

These beaches prove ideal for doing water sports such as wind surf, fishing and diving. Moreover, visitors can enjoy themselves and sunbathe and afterwards go for a refreshing bath in its crystal clear waters.

While beaches where large dunes can be found are located in the east area mainly, the beaches in Costa de San Vicente are deeper and have greater waves. One example of the later one is Arrifana, a stunningly beautiful place.

In addition, there are beaches with difficult access where visitors should take everything that is required to enjoy a wonderful picnic day hidden between the sea and the golden sands. One striking example of this is the beach known as Barriga.

Finally, tourists can visit the major attraction by means of which this place gained great popularity: the beach known as Barriga, in the Lagos bay. Barriga is an island located facing Tavira.

One of the most enjoyable activities that Algarve has to offer is going for a boat ride and sail serenely across the turquoise sea admiring the scenery and the contrast it makes to the deep blue sky and the shining shore.

On sailing, the colors will turn reddish while announcing the proximity of the cliffs that link Albufria and Vilamoura.

Back in the shore, the theme park Krazy World or the Zoomarine are a must, especially for families with small children. You will be pleasantly surprised to discover such tourist attractions.

When the night falls the area grows even more attractive offering a wide range of possibilities such as restaurants with local and international cuisine and discos. Also, visitors can walk along the beach until they come across a terrace where cocktails are served.

There are casinos available here as well such as the ones of Monte Gordo, Lagos and Vilamoura. Live shows and music and much more, all in one same place.

Owing to the vast development that has taken place in The Algarve regarding tourism, there are a wide range of options for hotels and accommodation available here. During the peak seasons, depending on the destinations, reservations in hotels must be made at least one month in advance.

It is possible to stay at huts, camping sites, hostels, ranches, tourist farms, depending on the area you decide to visit and the kind of holidays you would like to spend.