Football, like everywhere else in the country
In Portugal, we don't joke about football! It's the number one sport, far ahead of all the others. In Bola, the daily life of football is sacred, just like the sport it specialises in. It's the best-selling daily newspaper in the country, far ahead of the general public. All you have to do is turn on the television and there's always a match on. And it's always a moment of reunion for the whole family or for groups of fans, whether in the stands of the stadiums or in every bar in the country. In the 2019-2020 season, only one club in the Algarve played in Liga Nos (Portugal's top division), Portimonense Sporting Clube, based in Portimao.
The Algarve, a hiking paradise
Also for hiking, the national parks of Costa Vicentina and Ria Formosa are very suitable. Inland, at the two serras and especially at Monchique, many trails have been set up in recent years by the authorities to make it easier to go out on foot. The classified sites of Rocha da Pena and Fonte Benémola allow you to discover the vegetation of the Serra do Caldeirão. The dense forest of Fóia in the Algarve highlands offers interesting tourist walks. For some years now, local associations have been developing hiking trails through the Algarve. The Via Algarviana and the Rota Vicentina are two signposted routes in the heart of the Algarve nature.
Via Algarviana. It is a long distance hiking trail (GR13) that crosses the Algarve from east to west from Alcoutim to Cap Saint-Vincent. Since its creation in 1995, the Almargem Association has been in charge of maintaining and promoting this trail. It is about 300 km long and will take you 15 days to cover it at a good pace. You will discover the lush green valleys and typical and remote villages of the Algarve. Far away from the tourist complexes of the south, and in the heart of the mountains, it is another Algarve that you discover. At the meeting of traditional agriculture and crafts (honey, cork oak, baskets), and splendid and varied landscapes (Rio Guadiana, Serra do Caldeirão, Serra do Monchique and Costa Vicentina). It is recommended to venture on this trail in autumn or spring and strongly discouraged during the summer period because of the heat and the numerous forest fires. There are red and white signs all along the trail and accommodation is referenced in each locality. It is possible to make just stages of the Via Algarviana, such as the one linking Cape St. Vincent to Vila do Bispo. For more information and to download the maps go to: www.viaalgarviana.org
Rota Vicentina. This is another possibility of long distance hiking to discover the wonderful and grandiose Vicentine coast stretching from Santiago do Cacém (Alentejo) to Cape St. Vincent. It is 300 km long and there are two possible routes: the historical route along the old path that crosses the different towns or the fishermen's route that runs along the coast and gives access to the beaches. Each stage is between 15 and 22 km with accommodation possibilities. For more information: www.rotavicentina.com
Bicycle paths and parks
For those who are keen on bicycles, there is a cycle route along the southern coast of the Algarve, called Ecovia. This 214 km-long route runs from Cape St. Vincent to Vila Real de Santo Antonio and passes through all the major towns along the coast (Tavira, Faro, Lagos, etc.). Beware of some sections, the indications have disappeared. Be careful on the parts of the route that do not have a bicycle path.
Mountain bikers will enjoy themselves in the natural parks. Do not hesitate to ask at the tourist offices for maps of the routes. The Via Algarvina, which runs through the region, is very suitable for mountain biking.River hunting and fishing
Hunting is practised a lot in the Algarve. To fish in the river, it is necessary to obtain a licence from the Divisão de Caça e Pesca. Many companies also organise sport fishing trips at sea.
Surfing and water sports
The Algarve coast offers excellent opportunities for maritime holidays and classic activities can be enjoyed everywhere and, with its mild climate, practically all year round: swimming, snorkelling, water skiing, sailing or windsurfing (especially between Sagres and Aljezur). As for the west coast of the Algarve, it is the perfect place for surfers. Beginners, be very careful! The ocean is treacherous, and tourists drown every year while surfing.
Where to surf?
On the Portuguese coast, you will quickly notice the presence of many surfers. And if the images of the famous giant waves of Nazaré have gone around the world and allowed the biggest names to break all the records, the Algarve is not to be outdone. Its west and south coasts are ideal for the practice of this sport. The names Beliche, Tonnel, Arrifana and Zavial are often mentioned, but all the beaches have their speciality, their currents and their breaks. Broadly speaking, we can say that the west coast offers big waves all year round, with some beaches for experienced and intermediate levels, while beginners can practice south of Sagres to Portimão. Further east, surfers generally head towards the Ilha de Tavira to find some rare waves. Surf schools abound along the coast from Lagos to Odeceixe via Sagres, the official surfing capital of the Algarve. Most of them even offer stays with accommodation included, ideal for total immersion in the surfing spirit.Relaxation and thermalism
We know it little, but Portugal is a thermal country, the facilities are different according to the care and the management (private or public) or the frequentation. Some centres are transformed into spas and many of them have a real charm of yesteryear. This is the case in the Algarve for the Caldas de Monchique. For some years now, the town of Castro Marim has been offering relaxing baths with fleur de sel from the salt marshes that surround the town.
