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Algarve holidays

At a glance

Algarve - Lagos beach
Algarve - Lagos beach

Cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and quaint fishing villages decorate the Algarve's dramatic coastline. With its golden sandy beaches, it's a melting pot of different cultures, combining Vilamoura's casinos and luxury hotels, Praia da Rocha's pavement cafes and Albufeira's buzzing nightlife.

Portugal's southernmost tip, the Algarve is bordered by Spain and the Atlantic Ocean.

Free Kids

 

You can take your first child on holiday with us free of charge. If a Free Child Place is available on the holiday you choose, it’s yours – and your discount will be shown on the breakdown of your holiday price. Free Kids are generally found on holidays departing outside of 12 weeks.

 

We offer hundreds of Free Child Places on selected holidays and dates, but they won’t hang around forever! Book early to secure your Free Child Place and make fantastic savings online.

Best for Families

These accommodations are family-friendly, offering entertainment and facilities for both kids and grown-ups.

 

Some may feature their own kids’ club, crèche, kids’ dens, or sports and activities for families to enjoy together.

Best for Adults

These accommodations provide a holiday experience geared toward grown-ups. They’re best suited to couples, single travellers and groups of friends.

 

Although we can’t guarantee they will be child-free, these accommodations are more suited to those travelling without children.

All Inclusive

Our All Inclusive holidays cover all your essentials, so you can relax knowing that everything is already paid for while you’re on holiday with the UK’s ‘Best All Inclusive Tour Operator’.

What’s included?

  • Unlimited local alcoholic drinks
  • All meals and snacks
  • Unlimited soft drinks, tea and coffee
  • Ice cream for the kids in many hotels
  • Sports and watersports facilities in most hotels
  • Daytime and evening entertainment and activities

Premier

An exclusive selection of quality four and five star hotels, our Premier range offers superior standards of comfort, service and dining, with luxurious facilities and fantastic extras. In-flight and in-resort benefits vary across our Premier Family, Premier Luxury and Falcon Premier holidays.

 

Benefits may include:

  • Free in-flight meal and reserved seating on First Choice Airways flights
  • Increased baggage allowance (up to 23kg per person)
  • Free day before check-in at London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham Airports
  • Priority airport transfers to your resort or return private taxi transfers
  • Premier Reps providing outstanding customer service and assistance
  • Complimentary children's’ pack with Premier Families

Close to the Beach

Choose one of these accommodations to ensure you are within 300 metres of the beach (1km for villas).

Central Location

These accommodations are guaranteed to be less than 200 metres from the centre of your resort, close to bars and restaurants.

Things to do

Algarve

Memorable moment...

Stroll through cobbled streets in the historic town of Silves, the former Moorish capital of the Algarve, which is dominated by a formidable sandstone castle.

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Things to do

View the Atlantic from Sagres, mainland Europe's most south-westerly village, and stand on Portugal's westernmost point at Cape St Vincent. Visit the site of the first African slave market in Lagos and stroll though the picturesque fishing village of Tavira. The Algarve is also widely renowned for its superb selection of championship golf courses. Dotted all along the coast, you'll find courses on a range of terrains, from the coastal Salgados Golf Club to the championship courses of Quinta do Lago.
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Beaches

The Algarve boasts a breathtaking coastline dotted with rugged coves, sweeping sands and secluded bays. Enjoy the fresh Atlantic breeze and the serenity of Praia de Beliche, a secluded bay close to Sagres, or the golden sands and spectacular red cliffs of Praia da Rocha, one of the Algarve's most impressive beaches.

Blue Flag Beaches

In summer 2007, 46 beaches in the Algarve were awarded Blue Flags. Visit www.blueflag.org for full details.

www.blueflag.org

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Explore your destination

Here's a little taste of what's on offer: for more excursion ideas, speak to your Rep.

Zoomarine
Stare in amazement at the endless talents of the world's most intelligent mammals. Dolphins will perform breathtaking tricks and you can also have fun and laughter with the cheeky sea lions. This is an opportunity not to be missed.

Blue Cruise
Setting sail from Portimao, you will head for Carvoeiro, where you can admire strange-shaped grottoes, natural rock channels and caves. With fun and games on board for the kids, you can relax and enjoy some serious sunshine.

Jeep Safari
Discover the real Algarve on this off-road experience. In a convoy of jeeps, you'll be whisked through orange groves, rivers, streams, mountain villages and eucalyptus forests for an unforgettable day out.

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Food and drink

Chicken Piri-Piri is barbecued chicken in chilli sauce, a well-known Portuguese dish. For those who are looking for something less fiery, Portugal's position by the Atlantic Ocean encourages a variety of fish dishes, Peixe, and shellfish, Mariscos. The most famous local speciality is Bacalhau, sun-dried or salted cod, which can be served fresh or baked in the oven. Alternatively, try Arroz de Marisco, a delicious rice and fish dish, or Caldeirada de Peixe, a warming fish stew. Portugal's most popular export is Port wine, from Porto in the north, however local white and red wines are also very good, especially Vinho Verde. If you fancy something with a little kick, try Aguardente, which the Portuguese refer to as firewater.

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Evening Flavour

You'll find plenty of bars, clubs and pubs in the Algarve, with Albufeira perhaps the most renowned for its lively night scene. Vilamoura boasts a casino and a variety of bars and discos, while Praia da Rocha has a good selection of street cafes, outdoor bars and international and local restaurants. If you feel like something a little quieter, try the picturesque town of Tavira.

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Shopping

You can buy fine rural handicrafts, wicker baskets, fabrics and ceramics in most markets and boutiques. Try the open-air markets of Lagos, Olhão, São Brás and Tavira, where you can browse the stalls for Port wine, deluxe 'Arraiolos' carpets and 'Azulejos', beautiful hand-painted tiles.

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Media

Fact File

Local weather

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Information

Language: Portuguese. Currency: Euro. Standard GMT +1hr. Portuguese Tourist Office: 11 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PP. Tel: 0845 355 1212. www.visitportugal.com

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Travel money

Euro

You can get commission-free foreign exchange on currency notes and travellers cheques at most First Choice Travel Shops and Holiday Hypermarkets.

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Brochure download

Summer Sun Brochure Download

Summer Sun brochure

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Sunstart Brochure Download

Sunstart brochure

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Winter Sun Brochure Download

Winter Sun 08/09 brochure

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