Luxury Algarve Holidays 2024

The Algarve is a culturally rich and geographically stunning region sat in the far south-west of Europe, where the rolling hills of Iberia meet the Atlantic. Pristine sandy beaches frame charming boutiques and cafés, and verdant golf courses are criss-crossed by babbling streams and meandering paths. As a luxury holiday destination it’s nigh-on unbeatable, with vibrant nightlife and an exquisite climate ensuring that every visit is one you’ll never forget.
 

Over the last 50 years the Algarve has been transformed from a rural community of farmers and fishers to one of the greatest hubs of holiday making in Europe, attracting hundreds of thousands each year to its golden shores. The coastline is dotted with luxurious hotels and resorts, each offering sweeping views over the cerulean ocean which stretches away uninterrupted to the horizon, and almost every golf course and restaurant offers the same, making each activity every day one set against the utmost beauty.
 

For fans of golf, the Algarve is a peerless destination, boasting more than 30 magnificent golf courses, many of which have been designed by famous names such as Sir Henry Cotton and Bernhard Langer. In the east of the region, lush verdant marshland and forests create an atmospheric backdrop for any putt or swing, so make sure to head out to the San Lorenzo or Salgados courses. Grab your binoculars too, as the rich biodiversity here includes thousands of species from flamingos to the rare purple gallinule.
 

To the west, around the towns of Sagres, Lagos and Portimão, the coastline rises up into dramatic cliffs, culminating at Cape St Vincent, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe. Much of this area is included in the Southwest Alentejano and Costa Vincente National Park, and offers top-notch Instagram content guaranteed to make all your friends jealous. For the golfers there’s the Pestano and Gramacho courses, while the cultural explorers among you will love the Fort of Nostra Senhora da Rocha – a medieval castle perched atop a cliff surrounded on almost all sides by a dramatic drop to the ocean below.
 

Birthplace of international adventurers such as Bartholomew Diaz and Diego Rodrigues and HQ of the Portuguese voyages of exploration during the Age of Discovery, the Algarve is steeped in history, while nowadays it’s known as the holiday home of celebrities, from Bonnie Tyler to Patrick Swift. With such varied culture around every corner, you’ll certainly never be bored. Every town and village offers its own cafés and bars whose unique atmospheres will have you returning time and time again.
 

Make sure to pay a visit to the Ria Formosa National Park – a gorgeous region of wetlands and forests certain to satisfy every visitor. A wealth of wildlife makes its home here, and the verdant groves and babbling brooks make the San Lorenzo Golf Course particularly picturesque.