The Algarve (Faro) is on the southern coast of Portugal and incorporates the towns of Faro, Lagos, and Sagres. A popular tourist destination, primarily because of its Mediterranean climate with 3,000 sunshine hours, clean beaches with waters warmed by the Gulf Stream of the Atlantic Ocean. This brightly coloured region with its fig trees, orange groves and almond trees is also the most verdant and fertile area of Portugal. The temperatures are ideal for playing golf on one of the seven golf courses in the area.
The south facing coastline of 155 km, about 52 km stretches towards the north, consisting of a long stretch of sandy beaches broken up by extraordinary rugged cliffs and fantastic grottoes.
The region was dominated by the Moors for 500 years, which they named Al Gharb, meaning 'the western land'. The territory was the last to be conquered by the Portuguese King, in 1292. Traces of the Moorish presence can still be seen in its unique architecture of whitewashed houses, terraces and chimneys.