Planning to go on a pre-winter holiday in the Autumn!
The Algarve is a regular winner at the World Travel Awards, the travel industry’s answer to the Oscars. Over the years, it’s taken home accolades for everything from great golf resorts, fabulous diving to its top of the range attractions and sweeping beaches.
These are the many reasons to travel to the Algarve this Autumn. In the fall, you will benefit from fewer crowds and lower prices. The masses have left the soaring cliffs, hidden sea caves, golden beaches and scalloped bays. However sandy islands and beautiful beaches lure visitors to Portugal’s Algarve region. Surrounded by the Atlantic, the coast is a water-sports paradise, while the hilly hinterland has historic castle towns, whitewashed villages, rolling countryside covered in almond trees and citrus orchards, rural farmhouse restaurants and glorious hiking. Find out more why autumn is a great season to discover the Algarve.
Walking and hiking
The Algarve has some of the most beautiful walking trails in the world. You can walk along the spectacular coastline along impressive rock formations. You can explore the green Ria Formosa nature reserve. Or hike in the mountains of Monchique.
Find out about all the different walking trails at walkalgarve.com, this is an excellent resource for hikers with details of long and short walks through the region including route information, seasonal consideration, and maps.
Great walking adventures includes; Via Algarviana, some of the best sections are at Monchique.
Rota Vicentine a picturesque glimpse of Portugal rural life.
Percursi dos Sete Vales Suspensos (Seven Valleys Hanging Trail) One of the Algarve's most memorable walks, this clifftop route connects the beaches east of Carvoeiro. Beginning at Praia Vale Centianes, 2.3km east of town, it heads 5.7km to Praia da Marinha, with its spectacular rock stacks, via the beach at Benagil.
Rocha de Pena, the Serra do Cadeirao’s most worthwhile short walk is climbing this 479m-high limestone rock.
Foia, its a lovely hike from Monchique up to the Algarve’s highest point. Fans of slow travel might want to think about Burros e Artes, covering 10km to 15km per day on foot through stunning landscapes accompanied by your burro (donkey).
Make sure you wear a hat, cover yourself in sunscreen and drink plenty of water!
Visit the vineyards during harvest season
The beauty of the Algarve offers countryside and majestic hills that hide gorgeous landscapes. It is in the midst of these natural wonders that 2000 vineyards and almost 30 wine producers thrive with more than 300 sunny days a year and a fertile soil.
The Algarve has beautiful wineries and September is the harvest season, what a great month to visit the vineyards!
Take a guided tour in the Algarve and learn more about the wine making process.
Quinta dos Vales
The beautiful Quinta dos Vales is situated in the western part of the Algarve region. Fifteen different grape varieties are planted in the vineyard, resulting in a wide range of red, white and rosé wines, which you will be able to taste when you participate in the Quinta dos Vales wine tasting.
Quinta do Francês
Quinta do Francês belongs to a French doctor who fell in love with Portugal and saw in the hills of Serra de Monchique the place with which he had always dreamt to start the production of his own wines. Currently the vineyard visitors can see the cellars and taste 3 wines. Quinta Do Frances wine tasting.
Adega do Cantor
Very close to Villa Cascata, “The Winery of the Singer”, named for being owned by musician Cliff Richards, brings together the grapes from three farms – that of Moinho, Miradouro and Vale do Sobreiro – to produce two types of wines: Vida Nova and the Onda Nova. Since 2001 almost 100,000 bottles per year have been made. Visit the cellar full of casks for the wine-tasting and stroll through the magnificent grape plantations to feel the relaxing mood of the place. Adega do Cantor wine tasting
Monte da Casteleja
After working in Rio Douro, and being reponsible for the worldwide famous Port Wine, spending time at Montez Champallimaud Lda and Quinta do Tedo, Guillaume Leroux decided to start his own wine production. At the vineyard you can do guided tours and wine tasting with the wine producer himself every Wednesday and Friday from 3pm. Monte da Casteleja wine tasting
Quinta da Tôr
Take a guided tour through Quinta da Tôr, where you can learn more about wine production processes and get to taste the various Quinta da Tôr wines such as Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Algibre or Branco.
Quinta de Mata-Mouros
The 12 hectare vineyard is watched over closely by experienced and dedicated winemaking teams, which later translates to superior quality wines such as: Euphoria Tinto, Euphoria Rosé, Euphoria Branco, Convento do Paraíso Tinto and Imprevisto Tinto. You will have the opportunity to enjoy these wines in a wine tasting at Quinta de Mata-Mouros.
Quinta do Morgado da Torre
It is at Quinta do Morgado da Torre, in Portimão, that the superb Alvor wines are produced. The winery, which has existed since 1999, is facing south, to protect itself from the north winds, while benefiting from the sea breeze, something which helps improve the quality of the grapes. Manually selected grapes give rise to fruity wines with structure and good aromas, among which are: Arinto, Verdelho, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscatel Galego and Syria, Syrah and Antão Vaz. Take a guided tour through the wine cellar, where you can also do a wine tasting.
Fish market in Olhão
The sea is very important for the Algarve and fresh fish is the region’s best produce. In Olhão you can find the largest fish market of the Algarve. There are many different types of fish that you can buy at the market. It is a great sight to see the locals buying their sardines, octopus, clams and much more. The Olhão market consists of two beautiful buildings, which date from 1915. Around them, you can find several bars. It is best to visit the fish market on a Saturday.
Golf
Golf is quite popular in the Algarve and the region has some of the best golf courses in Europe. There are more than 40 golf courses in the region. Each and every field is beautifully designed. The holes are catered for beginners to professionals. In fall, there is a great golf event that you can attend. Normally the Portugal Masters Golf Tournament is organized on the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura. This is considered to be one of the most important golf tournaments of Europe. The best players of the world will come to the Algarve and play to compete for the Masters
For the latest golfing events in the Algarve go to Villa Cascata event diary
Surfing
The Algarve has excellent conditions for surfing. In the west of the Algarve, the waves of the Atlantic Ocean are consistent, 365 days a year. In the fall, the Algarve is still a very popular destination for surfers. The west coast has one of the most beautiful beaches. The unspoiled nature here is beyond comparison.
Birdwatching
The Algarve has a very rich flora and fauna. In general, 395 bird species have been recorded in the region. Birdwatching is a great outdoor experience that especially in fall, is quite enjoyable, as the weather is not too hot. In autumn there is also a great birdwatching event in the Algarve that you can attend. From October 01 - 05, 2021 you can visit the Birdwatching Festival in Sagres. During this event you can participate in many activities, including boat tours, workshops, hikes, photography courses and dolphin watching.
Better prices
The prices for accommodation and food in the Algarve are lower compared to other Mediterranean countries such as Spain, or Italy. During autumn, you will get even more value for money. Luxury Villas hotels are significantly cheaper in autumn than in summer. It is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a wonderful stay in a world of abundance.
