The Silver Coast

The Algarve stretches across the whole of southern Portugal. Its name derives from the Arabic El-Gharb meaning "west". Although the Algarve has been occupied by the Moors for 600 years, besides some city- and castlewalls in Silves and Tavira, there are hardly any remainders. Nevertheless all houses in the Algarve are still being build with those typical arabic chimneys. The Romans however left several bridges and ruins
East of Faro the coast is known as the leeward shore. The area stretching eastwards to the Spanish border forms an unusual lagoon landscape closed by sandy islets. A great part of the coastline has been declared a protected area, namely Parque natural da Ria Formosa.

The windward shore is the Algarve's most famous stretch of coast. Ochre - coloured cliffs plunge down to the beach and the turquoise sea surges into coves and grottoes.

The interior of the Algarve is still relatively unknown. The flower-decked, whitewashed villages have managed to preserve their traditional appearance, where handicrafts are still an important industry for the local population.
The year-round scents alone are worth the visit, with eucalyptus, pine, lavender and rock-rose all growing here in abundance.