The Algarve

Praia da Oura (Golden beach) is located just around the corner from Albufeira's main stretch of beaches. It is a pretty beach backing onto a promenade lined with restaurants and cafes.
Being a Blue Flag beach makes this a great family beach.

The River Seixe (Rio de Seixe) as it nears the end of its journey to the sea at Praia de Odeceixe on the Atlantic coast of the Algarve. Well actually, the River Seixe is the border between the Algarve and the Alentejo regions, so I guess it is technically a no-mans land?!

This slow flowing section of the river behind the beach is home to many interesting plant and animal species which make their homes amongst the reed beds.

Praia da Dona Ana is often cited as the best beach on the Algarve, in fact it was even described as the 'best beach in the World' by magazine Condé Nast Traveller. That's quite a lot to live up to! 

Dona Ana beach is the classic Algarve cove; nestled between the sandstone cliffs on the eastern side of Ponta da Piedade, it is sheltered from the breeze but catches all the day's sun. This section of coast is sometimes referred to as the Costa d'Ouro (Golden coast) on account of the yellow/red cliffs that line it.

The lavish interior of Faro's Igreja do Carmo. The gilded carved wood is typical of churches throughout Portugal but the decor on offer here is the work of master sculptor Manuel Martins. The money to pay for ehis lavish interior is said to have paid for by Brazilian gold back in the days when Portugal had an empire.

The Baroque façade of the Igreja do Carmo church in Faro is easy to spot with its twin bell towers and flaking whitewash. Built during most of the 18th century this is one of Faro's finest churches both inside and out. The interior is fairly extravagant and also includes the somewhat macabre Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones).

The cathedral (or Sé) in Faro dates back to the 13th century when the town was reconquered from the Moors. Work began almost immediately on this, the church of Santa Maria.

Much of what you see dates back to this time, although the church was extended and also repaired after the 1755 earthquake. It is a different story for the interior though. In 1596 British troops under the command of the Earl of Essex looted and burned the cathedral, gutting it. However, the wood carving and gilding that replaced the original interior are suitably sumptuous and will not dissapoint.

Whilst much of the cathedral you see today date back to the 13th and 14th centuries this site has considerably more history. The oldest records show that there was a Roman forum built here around two thousand years ago. Following this a mosque was built here. With the Christian reconquest of Faro in 1249 the mosque was torn down and the Sé (cathedral) put up in its place. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary the cathedral is also known as the Igreja de Santa Maria de Faro.

The Anchor Graveyard (Cemitério das Âncoras) is located on the Ilha de Tavira behind the beach at Praia do Barril. This strange arrangement of anchors is in fact a kind of memorial to the lost tuna fishing industry that once thrived here. The anchors themselves were used to keep the nets in place as opposed to mooring the boats.

Huge, quiet sandy beach located just west of Tavira. It's a bit of a walk to Praia do Barril from the town but fortunately there is a small train running from Pedras d’El Rei. Barril is a Blue Flag beach so there are plenty of facilities, including seasonal lifeguards. At the far end of the there is an official nudist beach.

Peeking over the dunes and past the river towards the vast expanse of sand that is Bordeira. At low tide this beach stretches for around 3km up the coast.

This is the exposed west coast of the Algarve and has a much wilder feel than around the corner. Instead of cliffs there are sand dunes and the waves here are far bigger and more powerful.