Algarve Nature

The Coast and its Beaches

One of the Algarve's greatest charms is the diversity of its landscapes of the nature Algarve, which is also true for its coastal region. The "Costa Vicentina”, which begins in Sagres and stretches northwards, is dominated by dark steep cliffs with small yet charming beaches. Here and at Ponta de Sagres or at S. Vicente Cape, you can feel the wild power of nature Algarve.

The nature Algarve on the southern coast, from Albufeira to Lagos, however, there are dozens of sandy beaches — some of them only accessible by boat — inviting to quiet and relaxing holidays with the family. The nature algarve from,  Quarteira to Vila Real, large golden sandy beaches stretch over miles and miles, always framed by green pinewoods and the blue Ocean. Here holidays can be either more cosmopolitan or quieter.

The Barrocal and the Mountains

The nature in the “Barrocal” is a long strip of limestone ground in the inner Algarve and is the orchard and garden of the region. This is the Algarve where the famous almond and orange trees grow, as well as carobs and a wide variety of colourful flowers, a beautiful part of the nature Algarve. This is also the Algarve of whitewashed houses, laced chimneys and beautiful landscapes that stretch towards the sea.

The Mountains and the Guadiana River

The Algarve is bordered in the North by a range of round-shaped hills, which undulate like a petrified ocean until they vanished in the horizon. Here and there, they are spotted by white villages and by the farming lands lying in wetter and more fertile valleys dominated by the silence and a rich and varied fauna and flora.
Serving as a natural border, the nature of the River Guadiana adds a touch of freshness to this area always under a hot sun. Small boats carry visitors from Alcoutim to Vila Real and reveal that Algarve of small villages, verdant banks and aquatic birds. Old paths wind the valleys and go uphill amidst undulating fields of gorse, rock roses and humble wild flowers. Here and there, an olive tree, a fig or almond tree stands isolated while a shepherd looks after his sheep and a mule pulls a wooden plough that breaks up the stony soil. This is the less known yet also beautiful nature Algarve.
Finding out the history and the nature of this inner Algarve is like breathing the land that offers everything she gets. Here you can go down a murmuring gully bordered by blooming oleanders to see the swift flight of a kingfish or a badger escaping in a hurry. Then you can climb “Rocha da Pena” to admire a beautiful orchid or to do some climbing. And you can also rest your eyes on an oceanic horizon while tasting a piece of Monchique ham and watching the powerful flight of an eagle looking for a prey. These are indeed unique experiences.

Accommodation

Algarve Housing offers a wide range of holiday accommodation in Algarve. We offer luxury villas on large estates as well as cosy windmills and charming cottages. Most of our holiday villas located in the interior of the Algarve with the beautiful nature of the Algarve on your doorstep. If you want to rent a unique accommodation on a beautiful spot, please take a look at our villa for rent selection.

Discover the nature Algarve; every month of the year is worth a visit:

January: Spring starts with full yellow coloured Mimosa

February: the Algarve is covered by white/pink flowers of the almond blossom

Fairytale of the Almond Trees Algarve…

Once upon the time, when the Algarve was ruled by the Moors and still known as Al Garb, a young Prince by the name of Ibn-Almundim who ruled from the capital of Silves, fell for the irresistible charms of a Nordic Princess called Gilda. He stole her heart and took her to the warm lands of the South. Although she was enchanted by the daily kiss of the sun on her fair skin, when winter in the Algarve approached, her beautiful smile faded away and her golden hair lost its glow. The Prince grew so desperate seeing his delicate princess pine away, that when he heard she was longing for the white snow-covered landscape of her homeland, he immediately ordered thousands of almond trees to be planted from the castle-door into the fields for as far as the eye could see, so that when the almond trees Algarve would be blossoming, she would witness the white flowers covering the hills in a magic illusion of snow in the Algarve. The cure was instant, and they lived happily ever after...

So tells the legend of the almond tree blossom Algarve, symbol of the Algarve, Portugal. Ever since, the Algarvian countryside puts on its most precious white and soft-pink coat by the Almond Trees Algarve in February, caressing the eye with its stunning beauty, announcing spring and promising a feast of almonds that will later be displayed at local markets and processed into the most delicious traditional sweets and liqueurs of the Algarve.

For nature lovers Algarve, this month is the perfect time to breathe in this unique spectacle of Almond trees Algarve, by walking one of the trails winding through the Portuguese countryside, in particular the Almond Trail (11 km) created by the Odiana association, in the district of Castro Marim. 

March: is known for its numerous fields of poppies, orchids, daisies, and the rock roses tinting the hills of the Algarve hills in white, red and yellow.

April: starting already in March, continuing in April,  the sweet blossom of the orange trees.

May: you will be able to try the fresh taste of the “néspera”

June: you can eat the first fresh figs.

July: grapes are ready to be picked

August: are very hot months and the sardines have an excellent taste! The carob is ready to be picking.

September: it’s time to pick the olives.

October: the almonds are delicious.

November: is known for its wild chestnuts. 

December: the first sweet oranges are ripe and ready to be eaten.