Algarve is the place to go for warm weather, hiking expeditions, trendy beaches, and a trendier social scene. Each of its major cities is worth visiting – including Lagos, Faro and Portimão – and a weekend away may convince anyone that heaven exists on Earth. Tiny treasure troves of jewel-bright waters and mesmerizing cliffs – like Camilo Beach in Lagos – are sprinkled across the region, while larger beaches attract equally larger groups of visitors. There’s no way anyone can miss the plethora of markets selling freshly-caught seafood either, and don’t worry about not speaking Portuguese. Many neighborhoods in Algarve (if not most), are more English-speaking than Portuguese these days, especially around Albufeira and Vilamoura.

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