Olhão is a big surprise. The Algarve’s largest port and a bustling fishing town with a very working place feel to it, Olhão is also the entry gate to one of the most beautiful landscapes in the region and some of Europe’s best beaches.

The town itself is a colourful mix of sights and sounds where life is plainly centred on the sea. Fishing has always been the population’s main livelihood and its importance is reflected everywhere, from the vibrant harbour that becomes a frenzy of activity when the boats return with their catches, to the impressive array of fish and shellfish on display in the stalls of the waterfront fish market. Olhão’s fishermen are legendary and are widely renowned for their expertise – culinary as well as piscatorial! The rich supply of seafood in the area, coupled with a talent for transforming this into mouth-watering dishes, have earned Olhão fame as the gastronomic capital of the Algarve. Fish restaurants dotted all over the town serve the delicious local seafood specialities, while a visit in mid-August will coincide with the annual Shellfish Festival, a six-day outdoor party of eating, drinking, music and dancing when the amazing variety of shellfish is on full show for everyone to enjoy.

Just a short boat trip away, lie the jewels of Olhão’s crown: the breathtaking natural beauty of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve and the miles of undisturbed beaches of the two barrier islands lying closest to Olhão, Culatra and Armona.

Olhão is situated in the heart of the estuarine Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, an intricate landscape of lagoons, canals, salt pans and sand banks that are separated from the Atlantic by a series of barrier islands that stretch from Faro to the village of Cacela Velha, near Tavira. A sanctuary for plant and wildlife, the estuary’s fertile wetlands are a breeding ground for numerous species of birds, fish and shellfish and a delight to explore. Boats departing from Olhão’s harbour and marina provide exploratory trips around the maze of canals and salt pans, while the park’s Environmental Education Centre in Marim organises walking itineraries that provide in-depth information on the area’s plant and wildlife, visits to the breeding kennels of the Portuguese water dog and detailed explanations of the salt harvesting process.

Such is the beauty of the Ria Formosa that nothing quite prepares you for what lies ahead on the barrier islands of Culatra and Armona. When you set foot on Culatra’s jetty, the boardwalks leading away from the fishermen’s settlements take you over dunes and lagoons to beaches that are so long that they disappear into the heat haze of the horizon. Gone are the loud motorised jet skis, the rows of sun loungers and the cries of ice cream vendors of mainland beaches and in their place lie deserted expanses of shimmering white sand dunes and the glistening ocean, disturbed only by the occasional cry of a seagull. Neighbouring Armona island is equally beautiful. There is a fishermen’s village surrounding the beach on its western tip and a campsite providing water sports facilities but if you walk eastwards towards Fuseta, your reward will be a seemingly endless beach where you can enjoy blissful moments of uninterrupted solitude and peace.

Perfectly located behind Olhão’s new marina from where boats make the crossing to the barrier islands, Real Marina Hotel & Spa’s spacious sea view rooms offer dazzling views across the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, a comprehensive spa, children’s entertainment and swimming pools with glorious sunbathing terraces. If you prefer the independence of serviced apartments, the neighbouring Real Marina Residence offers a choice of beautifully-appointed, contemporary apartments with access to all the hotel’s facilities. A unique base from which to enjoy the spectacular scenery!

Situated in the area of gently rolling hills that lies between the region’s beautiful southern coastline and the rural hamlets of the northern Caldeirão mountain range, the city of Loulé has a bustling market town feel to it that contrasts with the relaxed holiday atmosphere of its seaside resorts.

Loulé’s coastline is home to what is commonly referred to as the ‘Golden Triangle’, an area encompassing the luxurious resorts of Vale do Lobo, Quinta do Lago and Vilamoura, where golden beaches, elegant hotels, top golfing venues, a chic marina, a casino and a plethora of leisure and entertainment facilities have made it one of Europe’s premier holiday destinations.

Lying some 7.5 miles (12 km) from the coast, the city of Loulé has retained its age-old charm whilst developing into the commercial hub of the region. The historic town centre is a delight to explore with its 13^th Century castle ramparts providing scenic views over the rooftops and a network of narrow, cobbled streets lined with skilled artisans who have lent Loulé its reputation as handicraft capital of the Algarve. Bright earthenware pots, wrought iron and copper ware, wooden toys, colourful blankets and intricate lace are amongst the many examples of the handicraft produced, all of which can also be admired at the weekly Saturday market. If your visit coincides with the annual crafts fair in July, you’ll be in for a treat as eye-catching handicraft, stalls selling the region’s mouth-watering gastronomy and plenty of music bring a festive atmosphere to the city’s streets.

Also in the historic centre, the 13^th Century main parish church of St. Clement’s, the municipal museum and the nearby Jardim dos Amuados (Sulkers’ Garden) are all worth a visit before heading off to enjoy a taste of the famed, local gastronomy in one of the city’s many restaurants. Combining sea and mountain flavours, the succulent regional dishes range from Quarteira’s meaty sardines and varied shellfish to the hearty hare and pork specialities that come from the farming communities in the north.

Housed in an early 20^th Century Moorish-inspired building, Loulé’s impressive food market hall is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and a delight to browse around. Its colourful stalls brimming with fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, cheeses and regional sweets are excellent for stocking up on the local produce.

The highlight of Loulé’s calendar is carnival. Famous throughout Portugal, the Loulé carnival celebrations bring three days of all-night partying as processions of brightly coloured floats parade down the streets in a frenzy of glitter, feathers and lavish costumes as samba rhythms ring through the air. A more solemn event that also draws many pilgrims and visitors to the city is the Easter festival of the Sovereign Mother.

First, there was a coastline of fabulous, long sandy beaches and then there was Vilamoura.

Unlike many of the Algarve’s coastal resorts that started out as traditional fishing villages, the sophisticated resort of Vilamoura was purpose-built with the most discerning holiday maker’s requirements in mind. Environmentally conscious development, attractive landscaping and tasteful design led to the creation of this quality resort that is home to every sport, leisure, entertainment and amenity imaginable and one of the Algarve’s most sought after holiday destinations.

Foremost among Vilamoura’s many attractions are its glorious beaches and numerous championship golf courses. The Blue Flag beaches on either side of the marina offer a wide choice of water sports and amenities, their gently shelving shores and calm waters being a favourite with families. Vilamoura’s famous marina, one of the largest in Europe, attracts luxurious yachts from all over the world, its fashionable boutiques, cafés, bars and restaurants lending to its chic, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Boats departing from the marina offer an impressive array of additional sports or leisure activities, including dolphin-sighting, water-skiing, big game fishing, scuba diving and parasailing.

Overlooking the marina and providing a private stretch of beach and inspiring beach club, the Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Hotel affords glorious ocean views, a central location and first-class facilities, including a luxurious spa, a putting green and children’s amusements. Also adjoining the marina and situated very near the beach, the Dom Pedro Marina offers lovely ocean and marina views and guests can enjoy the use of a private bar and sun loungers on the beach. Within walking distance from the marina, the Dom Pedro Golf Resort offers fabulous views, a superb spa, children’s entertainment programmes and a free shuttle service to many of the area’s golf courses. Situated just behind the beach and near the marina, Dom Pedro Portobelo’s studios and apartments offer the convenience of self-catering holidays with access to all the facilities of its sister hotels.

Vilamoura is a paradise for golf lovers. In addition to the high number of premier golf courses within such a small radius, many of which are championship courses designed by acclaimed architects, their carefully engineered fairways often provide spectacular settings, be they pine forests, lakes graced with migrating birds or fabulous clifftop views of the ocean. There are six renowned golf courses to choose from around Vilamoura: Oceânico Pinhal, Oceânico Laguna, Oceânico Old Course, Vila Sol, Oceânico Victoria and Oceânico Millennium. Integrated in the Oceânico Victoria golf course, Hotel Tivoli Victoria provides luxurious accommodation and facilities with dazzling views over the golf course.

Besides golf, Vilamoura offers a fabulous choice of sports facilities. A riding school, tennis and squash courts, cycling and hiking through the protected wetlands, lawn bowling and a shooting club complement the many water sports available in the marina and on the beaches.

And at the end of an action-packed day of sport or relaxing hours spent on the beach, this stylish resort continues to impress. There are an abundance of bars, restaurants and nightclubs to choose from, the most popular evening venue being the glamorous marina. The evening shows staged at Vilamoura’s elegant casino and the many international DJs featured at its nightclubs also act as powerful magnets, attracting many visitors from nearby resorts.

A stunning coastline of creamy, coppery cliffs and a wide assortment of beautiful, sun-drenched beaches have transformed Albufeira from the quiet little fishing village of old into the holiday haven and favourite Algarve destination that it is today.

The allure is understandable: Albufeira’s beaches come in all shapes and sizes and they are all equally appealing. Ranging from secluded sandy coves and miles-long stretches of glittering, golden sands to picture-postcard landscapes combining sea, sand and delightful rocky outcrops, the draw is irresistible. More than half of these beaches hold the prestigious Blue Flag and offer a comprehensive range of amenities and water sports facilities while the resorts that flank them provide an endless supply of entertainment and leisure activities. The great diversity of bars, restaurants and clubs have made Albufeira’s nightlife the most famous in the Algarve while numerous golf courses, a marina, children’s theme parks and abundant shopping opportunities provide plenty of additional daytime distractions.

The city of Albufeira is fronted by three magnificent long, sandy beaches: Pescadores, Peneco (also known as Túnel beach) and Inatel. The colourful fishing boats on Pescadores beach are present-day reminders of the city’s fishing past and while the fishermen continue to supply the local restaurants with their daily catches, the boats are also used to provide scenic tours around the natural grottoes that adorn this beautiful coastline. A pleasant promenade links Peneco beach to Albufeira’s vibrant marina.

Affording breathtaking views of Albufeira’s scenic coastline from their clifftop positions overlooking Santa Eulália, São Rafael and Falésia beaches, the luxurious Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort & Hotel Spa, CS São Rafael Atlantic Hotel, and Pine Cliffs Hotel offer access to the beaches lying below, the privacy of secluded locations and exceptional accommodation and facilities. Porto Bay Falésia enjoys an equally beautiful clifftop location above Falésia beach while the exclusive CS São Rafael Suite Hotel, situated a small distance inland from São Rafael beach, will impress with its contemporary elegance and peaceful surroundings. In a quiet Albufeira location, the Real Bellavista Hotel & Spa provides a wide range of facilities and a shuttle service to the beach and city centre. Enjoying a unique oceanfront location with direct access to the sand dunes of Salgados beach, the brand new Vidamar Resorts Algarve is a luxurious retreat where guests can also appreciate the natural beauty of the protected Salgados lagoon wetlands lying nearby.

Albufeira’s old town centre has a delightful traditional feel. Whitewashed houses and narrow, cobbled streets lined with cafés and shops lead to a picturesque central square surrounded by bars and restaurants where you can taste some of the local fish-based gastronomy. And if you’re looking for some late night partying, there’s plenty of it in fun-loving Albufeira. The area known as ‘The Strip’ is a succession of thriving bars, restaurants and clubs – and the hub of Albufeira’s nightlife.

Outside the resort, the landscape changes dramatically as the coast is left behind and the hinterland unfolds into an expanse of rolling hills swathed in almond, fig and orange trees, dotted with peaceful farming villages.