The capital of the Algarve in Portugal and home to the only international airport in the Algarve, Faro is a historic city surrounded by island beaches including Praia de Faro on the Ilha de Faro (Faro Island) and the protected reserve of the Ria Formosa nature reserve. Although Faro has seen much development over the years, the part of Faro known as 'the old town' still retains much of its natural charm.

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Situated to the west of the Algarve in Portugal, Praia do Zavial is a fantastic beach that consists of fine golden sand which is backed up by rocks that have fallen from the eroding cliffs that surround the beach. Although Praia do Zavial is a popular beach with surfers, the fact that there are no tourist resorts within close proximity to the beach combined with the only real option being to drive here means that even in the height of summer Praia do Zavial is not often over crowded. Located towards the western end of the Algarve in Portugal, the nearest town to Praia do Zavial is Vila do Bispo a few kilometres away.

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Praia da Marinha is a perfect example of the truly beautiful beaches in the Algarve, Portugal. Located in the municipality of Lagoa, Praia da Marinha which translates into English as 'Beach of the Navy' is a beach of fine golden sands backed up by the towering limestone cliffs and unusual rock formations.

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Tavira is a bustling fishing port on the Algarve in Portugal that is backed up by rolling countryside consisting of orange, fig and almond trees, Tavira is seperated into two parts by the River Gilao that runs through the town and out into the Ria Formosa nature reserve. Tavira is steeped in history and is home to an array of churches and chapels as well as having the Ilha de Tavira a short walk from the town where it boasts a beach of fine white sand which stretches for over 14 kilometres.

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Located just a few kilometres from the well known resort of Albufeira is the picturesque and wonderful beach of Praia de Sao Rafael in the central part of the Algarve, Portugal. Although it is possible to walk from Albufeira the majority of visitors to Praia de Sao Rafael get here by car, and it is well worth the visit. The beach consists of fine golden sand and is backed up by the towering limestone cliffs of which over years of erosion have left some spectacular rock formations.

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A photograph taken as the waves roll in off the Atlantic Ocean on the incoming tide at Praia da Amoreira, situated a few kilometres from the town of Aljezur on the western coast of the Algarve.

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Pego do Inferno (Pool of Hell) is in the parish of Santo Estevao, a few kilometres from Tavira in the Algarve, Portugal. The name is somewhat ironic given that it's a beautiful turquoise - green lagoon with a 5 metre cascading waterfall that is a run off from the Asseca River. Locally Pego do Inferno is known as 'The Secret Waterfall' due to it's discreet location however it is more popular now than it used to be as it is signposted off the main road.

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The wooden fences behind the beach at Praia do Ancao were put up in order to protect the sand dunes which are a protected reserve, however over the years the fences themselves have taken a bit of a battering from the onshore winds. The beach is located between Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago in the central region of the Algarve in Portugal.

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Looking down the main street in Alcantarilha towards the church which sits proudly in the centre of the picturesque and colourful town on the Algarve, Portugal.

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Located between Guia and Gale, Praia da Coelha (Rabbit Beach) is reached by a footpath that passes through olive trees and ancient Carobs. Praia da Coelha is a small cove surrounded by towering cliffs and is just to the west of the popular resort of Albufeirain the central part of the Algarve in Portugal.

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Rua do Aljube is one of the many backstreets as you enter the old town part of Faro.

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Praia do Tonel nestles under the cliffs of Ponta de Sagres with views across the bay to Cape St.Vincent. A lovely sandy beach which is also popular with surfers due to the huge waves that can roll in off the Atlantic Ocean.

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A photograph showing the beautifully tranquil colours of the sea off the coast of Sagres in the west of the Algarve, Portugal.

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