If you're looking for a slower paced sense of life while avoiding the overcrowded tourist centres, then the Eastern Algarve is for you. The long white beaches sit beside old towns with small village cafes and gelato shops, making this region one for those looking for an authentic and languid experience.
While the Eastern Algarve has the features of a cute and quaint region, it also offers stunning day trips and gorgeous resorts across the region. From visiting the Olhão Saturday market for fresh seafood and local delicacies to sunbathing on the Fuzeta beach between the Atlantic and Ria Formosa lagoon, Eastern Algarve offers a tranquil and stunning lifestyle.
The most famous resort of the Eastern Algarve region is Tavira, which is approximately 30km away from Faro airport.
A drive or taxi will take between 30-40 minutes, or you can catch a taxi to Faro train station, with a train into Tavira taking about 40 minutes. If you catch a bus from the bus station in Faro, the journey to Tavira takes about an hour.
The Eastern Algarve tends to be the warmest of the Algarve region, with summertime temperatures reaching 30°C. While temperatures continue to rise further north, Eastern Algarve remains an almost perfect summer temperature thanks to its smooth breezes along the coast.
In the wintertime there are some rainy days, however, temperatures tend to stay within the 10C to 17C range.
Fuzeta Beach – Eastern Algarve's beautiful Fuzeta beach is actually a pair of beaches, a smaller beach you can walk to and an ocean beach over the Ria Formosa by water taxi or ferry. Beautiful soft white sand can be found on both beaches, with calm waters most of the year round.
Olhão – Just under 10km from Faro City, Olhão is the largest fishing port in the Algarve that began as a small fishing settlement in the 1300s. With a charming historical centre of town and many 17th century churches and chapels, Olhão stands as an essential visit in the Eastern Algarve.
Monte Rei – One of Portugal's top golf courses, the Monte Rei is a purpose-built golf resort about 15km from Tavira. With a variety of inclusive packages for the golf fanatic, this comprehensive resort also offers leisure packages, catering to those who want to explore Eastern Algarve's beaches and cuisine.
The Eastern Algarve stands as the most authentic and traditional of the Algarve regions, offering a non-commercialised slice of Portuguese life. With lovely towns like Olhão and Tavira close by, the hub of Faro City isn't too far away if you're looking for a break from the beach.
Along with this, Eastern Algarve offers unique experiences unlike any other region within Portugal.
Eastern Algarve is home to many traditional villas and townhouses, many of them located in lovely quiet spots in the countryside. If you're looking for something closer to town, you can also find a variety of smaller houses and apartments.
Tavira offers a larger selection ranging from charming apartments to grand and luxurious villas, making the Eastern Algarve region a fantastic choice for just about anyone.
Popular areas to buy property in the Eastern Algarve include the historic town of Tavira, the fishing town of Olhão, Moncarapacho and Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo.