The staff at most tourist offices speak English. They are usually very helpful with all tourism questions as well as questions on public transport and more and always worth asking if help is needed.

Tourist Offices are able to provide general information on their area, much of it as appropriate to the resident as to the visitor as they generally have information, brochures and flyers on local fairs, markets, concerts and other events.

To find listings of all local tourist offices in the Algarve and the surrounding areas: Click here

• See The AngloFILE for Tourist Offices & Information
• See the official Portuguese Tourist website 

Airports

To find out about the airport serving the Algarve region, Flight information, access and lost luggage and about airlines flying to the region:

• See AngloINFO INFOrmation page Algarve Airport Contacts
• See The AngloFILE Airlines: Scheduled Flights & Charter

Where to stay

From the luxury five-star hotels to self-catering holiday accommodation, there are various types of accommodation available in Faro, Tavira, Albufeira and other cities in the Algarve.

• Find out more from the AngloINFO INFOrmation page Holiday Accommodation Options
• See The AngloFILE for Hotels & Holiday Accommodation

Days Out in the Algarve

There are numerous places to visit in the Algarve and it has much for children.

• See The AngloFILE Days Out: Trips & Tours
• See The AngloFILE Children: Days Out for Kids

Main Tourist Attractions

Beaches

The Algarve's main attraction is its beaches. Among the most famous are the Praia da Dona Ana, Praia de Ilha de Tavira, Praia dos Barcos, Prai do Armado and Praia da Rocha.

There are also many opportunities to practice water sports. The Praia de Figueira, located near to the village of Salema, is popular with windsurfers and divers. Meia Praia in Lagos is the longest beach in the Algarve region. There are facilities for windsurfing, jet skiing and other water sports on site. Praia da Marinha in Benagil is suitable for snorkelling.

There are different beaches to suit different needs, quiet coves, family beaches with activities and games or nudist beaches. As this stretch of coast is so developed the beaches tend to be well maintained and are regularly cleaned with bars and restaurants close by. Most of the big hotels are close to the beaches in the tourist centres.

The blue flag is an internationally recognised award given to beaches and marinas that fulfil certain criteria including; facilities, water quality, environmental issues and public access and safety.

• From the blue flag website it is possible to search the facilities of the Algarve's beaches: Click here 

Albufeira is the Algarve's largest tourist resort covering 30 kilometres of coastline including the Galé, Albufeira and Falesia beaches.

• For a list of beaches in Albufeira: Click here

Faro

The provincial capital and administrative centre of the Algarve has some historical Roman and Moorish monuments and a old town quarter. Ruins dating back to the XIII century are still visible, but most of its buildings date from the second half of the XVIII century. They have been rebuilt following devastating earthquake that hit the town in 1755.

Faro old town is divided into 3 areas – Vila-Adentro, Mouraria and Bairro Ribeirinho - and surrounded by medieval walls. Many visitors visit the old town to see its cathedral and other historical buildings. The 13^th century Sé Cathedral combines Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and also displays woodcarvings, marble and azulejos.

The Ilha de Faro sand dune islands and the Ria Formosa lagoon form part of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. They are a popular location for outdoor sports in summer.

• For further information: Click here (in Portuguese).

Loulé

Loulé has many souvenir shops selling leather, cane, wood and copper artefacts, and hosts a weekly fair. Rua da Barbaca is a focal point for handicraft in the area as local craftsmen make and sell items made from copper, brass, leather and wood. There is also the museum of dried fruit (Museu dos Frutos Secos) and a municipal museum located in the town.

Loulé Carnival is considered to be one of the best festivals in Portugal.

Golf

The mild climate and coastal scenery of the region has attracted golfers for over 30 years. There are over 29 golf courses located in the Algarve including San Lorenzo and Quinta do Lago south, which hosted the Portugal Open on several occasions. In general golf is played from October to May.

Regional Tourist Offices

Several tourist offices (postos de turismo) in the Algarve provide tourists with guides and leaflets in several languages. The employees speak English and can make reservations for visitors.

In general, tourist offices are open seven days a week at 09:30-12:30 and 14:00-17:30

• Região de Turismo do Algarve
  At: Avª 5 de Outubro 18, 8000 Faro
  Tel: 289 800 400
  Fax: 289 800 489
• Faro Tourist Office
  At: Rua da Misericórdia 8-12, 8000-269 Faro
  Tel: 289 803 604
  e-mail
• Albufeira Tourist Office
  At: Rua 5 de Outubro, 8200-109 Albufeira
  Tel: 289 585 279
  e-mail
• Alcoutim Tourist Office
  At: Rua 1º de Mayo. 8970-056 Alcoutim
  Tel: 281 546 176
  e-mail
• Lagos Tourist Office
  At: Rua Vasco da Gama (S. João), 8600-722 Lagos
  Tel: 282 763 031
  e-mail
• Loulé Tourist Office
  At: Av. 25 de Abril 9, 8100-506 Loulé
  Tel: 289 463 900
  e-mail
• Olhão Tourist Office
  At: Largo Sebastião Martins Mestre 8-A, 8700-349 Olhão
  Tel: 289 713 936
  e-mail
• Portimão Tourist Office
  At: Cais de Comércio, 8500 Portimão
  Tel: 282 416 556
• Silves Tourist Office
  At: Rua 25 de Abril, 8300-184 Silves
  Tel: 282 442 255
  e-mail

• Tavira Tourist Office
  At: Rua Galaria 9, 8800-329 Tavira
  Tel: 281 322 511
  e-mail

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