Algarve Top 10

This page is where I keep my current list of Algarve Top 10 things to do. Some occur only at certain times of year, while others run for the entire vacation season. So, there's always something entertaining and diverting going on, whenever you might be taking your Algarve vacation.

1. FiESA (Sand Sculptures)

Held between 22 May and 22 October, this annual event has become justly famous since its inception in 2003. Billed as the biggest exhibition of sand sculptures in the world (using 35,000 tonnes of raw material!) the sometimes enormous exhibits are loosely based around a chosen annual theme.

Recent themes have been 'Hollywood' and 'Discoveries'. You can read all about it and see some pics that I and others have taken if you look at my Fiesa 2009 page. There are also links to pages about previous years' FiESAs.

2. Carnivals

February is the month of carnivals in Algarve. Because the weather is usually so predictable, the outdoor fun is quite enjoyable. Started over 100 years ago in Loule, the celebrations have spread throughout the region, and you can see some spectacle close to where you stay.

Biggest and glitziest is the Loule carnival, but I've seen and enjoyed other, smaller events, which are normally free to attend and great fun to observe. Chill out with a beer or soft drink and watch the fun as the carnival floats pass by with their weird and wonderful figures and themes.

You can read more about Algarve carnivals on the page that I dedicated to them. 

3. Mae Soberana

Probably the most spectacular religious event in the Algarve calendar, this strange festival takes place over two weekends, between the town of Loule and the sanctuary and hillside church that looks like a large white space station.

The emotion of the local people for the effigy of the Madonna (Mae Soberana means 'Sovereign Mother') is there for all to see, with the waving of thousands of white handkerchiefs and the chanting during the procession.

If you can't experience it yourself this year, you can read about it here.

4. Banana Boat to Silves

Starting from Portimao, with timings dependent on the tidal patterns, this is a fun trip to savour. We enjoyed tremendously our day out on the Silves cruise by banana boat, as you'll learn if you use the link.

5. Moroccan Festival

It's a beautiful spot even when it's not throwing its annual festival...

Cacela Velha must be one of the most picturesque and charming places imaginable, but when it celebrates its Moorish past, it's even more impressive. Every year, the event grows in size and variety. You can see goods and clothing such as you'd find in a North African market. There are camel rides and belly dancers and strange, rhythmic music...

The festival is held every July, but Cacela Velha is worth a visit whenever you're in Algarve.

6. Motorbike Meet

Every July, for one long weekend (Thursday to Sunday), Faro is host to one of the biggest and most colourful motorcycle events you're ever likely to see. It's organised by the Moto Clube de Faro and is popular with visitors and locals alike.

Thousands of two- and three-wheelers converge from all over Europe (and even further afield) to celebrate... well, being a biker, I suppose. It's fun, it's easy-going and it's quite a sight to behold, as the roads are filled with bikes of all shapes and sizes.

The events are held at a site between Faro airport and the Ilha de Faro beach. There are colourful markets that can be visited during the day, and night-time music concerts from (mainly) rock bands. You can read about the first time I encountered it here.

7. Mediaeval Days

Castro Marim is a town on the eastern edge of the Algarve, looking over the Guadiana to Spain. Every year, it holds a Mediaeval festival over one long weekend, where parts of the ancient town centre are transformed into a semblance of how they must have been back in the Middle Ages.

Locals (and some visitors) dress up in appropriate costumes and the street markets are suitably themed, too. But the main events occur every evening in the hilltop castle above the town. There you can enjoy falconry, jousting, troubadors, jugglers, staged battles and more. Your entrance ticket usually buys you a commemorative souvenir of some sort, so you can reminisce about the fun you had in the beautiful Algarve climate.

8. New Year's Fireworks

Always a special time, the beginning of the new year is celebrated throughout Algarve, with the biggest and best displays of fireworks taking place at Albufeira and Faro. Even if you can't attend the sites themselves, you can watch what's going on from atop the highest local hill you can find. 

Great views out over the Algarve coast, with splendid pyrotechnic displays... who could ask for anything more?

9. Guadiana Boat Trip

Sailing from various points along the Algarve coast, enjoy a gorgeous day's sightseeing from the comfort of a tour boat, as you sail up the river that separates Portugal from Spain.

Check out the fortified hilltops that show just how precarious life must have been, way back when. Marvel at the riverside wildlife and generally relax in that wonderful Algarve weather. 

You can choose between:

• a 7-day cruise that starts and ends in Portimao and includes an outing to Seville, Spain, as well as reaching Alcoutim and Mertola before the return journey. 
• a day cruise from Vila Real do Santo Antonio to Foz de Odeleite and back, with lunch at the halfway stage.

10. Festivals

They like festivals in Algarve, and not all of them occur during peak season, so there's usually something to enjoy whenever you might be visiting. Here are a few that I've found colourful and diverting...

Jazz Festivals

There are quite a few, and they attract some famous names. Biggest are those held at Lagos and Loule, but the Allgarve summer schedule often slips in other venues, so keep your eyes peeled if you like jazz in a warm climate.

Food Festivals

There's the Sausage Festival (Festa dos Chouricos) in Querenca during February. Always fun to observe, even if you're vegetarian!

And Olhao has its annual Seafood (Mariscos) Festival along the waterfront. Good-natured and there's usually some interesting music going on, too.

Beer Festival

Good ol' Silves comes up trumps with this one. I don't normally drink beer (plus, I'm usually the nominated driver) but all the carousing folk around me, whenever I visit, suggest that this is an enjoyable event!

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I couldn't leave you with just 10, so I've thrown in another couple of favourites, just for good measure (and because I didn't think they deserved to be left out).

11. Beach Parties

If you like to end a scorching day with a beach party, then Albufeira or Vilamoura should do it for you.

The Nikki Beach Club in Vilamoura is where you can revel away the early hours (until 0200), in the Lakeside (restaurant), or if you prefer to dip your toes in the water, there's the Barefoot Beach option, open 0900 to 2100 during high season.

During the season, Albufeira hosts all sorts of events on or near the beach. Whenever you visit, there'll be something to enjoy.

12. Sunsets

They're great... and they're free! You just walk along at your own pace, anywhere with a view of the horizon (beach or hilltop are best) and there it is. A wonderful sight to behold, in a benign climate, in a chilled mood, enjoyed with someone you love.

What is there to beat that?

Okay - that's my list (even though it's a bit longer than originally intended). But, what about yours? If you have any Algarve favourites that you think should have made my list, just use the form below and let me know. If I get plenty of response, I'll put up another page devoted to your Algarve Top 10.

It's free to enter, so why not cast your vote? Splash out and give me a whole list, if you like! (Don't worry - I'll only ever use your email address to contact you about what you send me).

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