The Algarve (Portuguese pronunciation: [aɫˈɡaɾv(ɨ)], from Arabic: الغرب, trans. Al-ʼGharb, meaning "The West") is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal. It has an area of 5,412 square kilometres (2,089 square miles) with approximately 458,734 permanent inhabitants, and incorporates 16 municipalities. The region coincides with the Faro District, and has as its administrative centre the city of Faro, where both the region's international airport at Faro (FAO) and public university (the University of the Algarve) are located. Tourism and related activities are extensive and make up the bulk of the Algarve's summer economy. Fish, seafood and fruit production, which includes oranges, carob beans, figs and almonds, are other important activities in the region. The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal, and one of the most popular in Europe. Its population triples in the peak holiday season thanks to a high influx of visitors, and receives an average of 7 million foreign tourists each year. In total, including national visitors, almost 10 million people visit the Algarve every year.
The Algarve is currently the third richest region in Portugal, with a GDP per capita of 86% (European average).
The Algarve is currently the third richest region in Portugal, with a GDP per capita of 86% (European average).
Community Trips
E cá estou pela Via Algarviana no primeiro dia de caminhada depois de ter dormido já nas Furnazinhas. Percurso de cerca de 20 Km mas com este calor custou mais. No fim o alojamento estava... a mais 3 Km's. :) Pelo vistos não havia problema com isso porque ainda fui dar uma voltinha de mais 2 Km para ver a vista da ribeira... para desenjoar! ;)Amanhã são só uns 18 kM... dizem......
As promised here is the last stage of our trip Ecovia do Algarve. Despite being the shortest stage is not by far the easiest of the four. We started at Lagos´ youth hostel without any signs of the Ecopista. We cycled uphill in the direction of Valverde and than down again towards Luz. Here we met a trail over the scarps more suited for hikers and experienced mtbikers in technical tracks. Nonetheless...
Ecovia do Algarve is part of EuroVelo (http://www.ecf.com/) route 1 that links Sagres to the North Cape, in Norway, and is also known as the Atlantic Coast Route. A general description of this route and what to expect is given on the previous stage. Here are some other useful links:Ecovias Algarvehttp://www.ecoviasalgarve.org/ (pt)Algarve Digital:http://geo.algarvedigital.pt/index.aspxThe Ecovia do Litoral Bike Routehttp://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/Article_Ecovia_1.phpSince Algarve is a main tourism area and there are many villages along the route,...
Day trip to Silves, Monchique and Lagos whilst on holiday in Albufeira. Sep 2008
From Armação de Pêra we cycled inwards in the direction of Lagoa. It was hot (beware that temperatures in summer are usually above 30º C)! There we stopped for some refreshments and coffee. After a few meters in EN 125, we took the direction of the nice village of Ferragudo on the left bank of Rio Arade. From there we could already see the harbour of Portimão, with large cruise boats. After...
This is, at this very moment, the only traject that the promised Ecovia do Algarve is already concluded, in the municipality of Tavira. I've made the near 30 km connecting the edges of the municipality. You can know details about the trip in here (in portuguese): blog.digfish.org
More photos in Picasa
A little walking from my home to my neighborhood, inside the Ria Formosa natural park, with all the beauties, including an ancient fortress, to watch the birds and marvelous yellow and red colors made possible by the sunset reflected on Ria Formosa waters. You can watch a video of the sunset.
Reviews
