The Algarve is the most southern of the Portugal regions. It is a region of hills and vallys leading to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. The Algarve has an excellent climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers with cooling prevailing winds. The Algarve is the most popular tourist destination in Portugal.and as such property prices are much higher than the other regions. |
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Trading ports have existed along the Algarve coast since 1000BC. Hanibal first landed on European soil at what is now known as Portimão. The Moors invaded the region 711. It was from the moorish name for the region, Al'Garb, or the west, that the region derived its current name. In the 13th Century the Moors were repelled and the Algarve became part of Portugal. The capital of the region is Faro. The old part of which is still surrounded by a defensive wall, constructed in the 9th century. Although Faro has a few Roman and Arab buildings, most of the city was destroyed by the earthquake of 1755. In more recent times, with the influx of tourism and the construction of the international airport in 1965, Faro has expanded beyond the ancient walls to become a thriving city with a university and music school. |
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| Other major towns in the region include the large tourist resorts of Albufiera, Praia de Rocha and Lagos, the smaller but growing resorts of Tavira and Alvor. The town of Loule with its famous Saturday market, The town of Silves with it's well preserved Moorish castle and the border town of Vila Real de Santo António. |
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