A Destination Wedding - Why choose the Algarve?

The Algarve is the perfect romantic getaway for your destination wedding.

The local area is defined by its spectacular coastline with Azur seas and sandy beaches framed by sculpted limestone rocks forming magnificent caves and grottoes.

Along with the tourists cooling themselves in the sparkling waters the ocean forms the focus to the Algarvian way of life. Visiting the area you will observe the locals wading in the ocean at low tide to collect cockles and barnacles. Fishing boats are still launched from the beaches in the little fishing towns of Luz and Burgau and fishermen who learnt their trades from their father´s fish for mackerel and sardines. These delicacies can be relished at the abundance of simple restaurants where the joys of fresh fish, grilled and drizzled with local olive oil and washed down with the local green wine will have your mouth watering.

A great many water sports are on offer for all tastes. Water sports concessions operate from several of the beaches offering high-speed rides on inflatables, water skiing or wakeboarding. For those that like a more sedate journey chartering a yacht or sun-seeker may be the option for you. Fishing trips, pleasure boats, kayaking tours and paddleboarding are all popular with visitors.

The West Coast of the Algarve is a reason in itself to visit Portugal. Driven by the immense power of the Atlantic Ocean pounding the immense stretches of sandy shores unmarked by a footprint, it feels wilder than the south coast. This majestic coastline has become a mecca for surfers, while the undeveloped coastlines are ideal for bird watching, spotting dolphins, cliff top walks and discovering deserted sandy coves.

The coast between Lagos and Sagres is unspoiled and beautiful; thanks to the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, which prohibits large-scale building on the coastline. Most of the coast is linked by a coastal path offering pretty routes between the villages.

Lagos

Set in one of the largest bays in the Algarve, Lagos is a picturesque town with a bustling historic centre with a maze of cobbled streets to explore punctuated by local craft shops, cafes, bars and restaurants. The centre throbs with life in summer with visitors siting on the tables in the winding streets enjoying a meal or a drink.

Lagos still has a thriving fishing industry which helps it maintain its character independent of the tourist industry. Its cosmopolitan marina is busy throughout the year offering an attractive location to enjoy a meal or embark on one of the boat tours around the grottoes or one of the exciting high-speed dolphin viewing trips.

Praia da Luz

An attractive family resort which tourists return to year after year, due to its safe sandy beach, perfect for children and a friendly atmosphere. The cove is framed by the spectacular “Rocha Negra” to the east, a remnant from a volcanic age and the rock pools to the west which are perfect for children to explore. In the main tourist months bouncy castles appear on the promenade to entertain the younger visitors and the restaurants and bars buzz with activity.

Inland

Inland, the tranquil hillside villages, surrounded by forests of cork, pine and eucalyptus are a stark contrast to the busy coastal areas. The wooded Serra de Monchique is an area of outstanding natural beauty and to visit this area is to go back in time to a forgotten age where people live off the land where the locals collect berries to make Medronho the local “firewater”. Olives, oranges, carobs and almonds are picked from the trees to be sold at markets and in the local villages, you will find whitewashed houses, cafes old cloth capped men sitting in the town squares watching the world go by and elderly ladies adorned in black garbs grilling sardines in the street.

Its highest peak is Foia which is 900m and on clear days offers breathtaking views of the coastline and the town of Monchique and its weekly market are a must-see along with the eerie ruins of the convent which look down over the town.

There are numerous cycling routes through the beautiful scenery which can be enjoyed with one of the adventure companies offering guided cycle tours.