Here are just some of the great Algarve activities and tours on offer!
Dolphin watching • Segway tours • Stand-up paddleboard • Birdwatching • Sailing • Jet ski hire • Sidecar tours • Kayaking • Pirate ship cruises • Coasteering • Guided walks • Fishing boat & Catamaran boat trips • Scooter rental • Bike tours • Jet boat rides •
Those into walking and hiking can consider the scenic Alvor Boardwalk at Alvor, Portimao, which is well-received by most tourists, boasting spectacular views along the sea front and also leads to numerous good restaurants.
Magic Moments: Photo Walks & Photo Sessions at Sagres is primarily a photography company, but also offers a wide range of walks with an emphasis on finding good locations to take photographs, and also has sessions for sports and water activities, so this company covers a wide range of interests.
Algarve by Segway is one of the most well-received tour operators, and offers birdwatching trips to Ria Formosa, cultural trips around Faro, sunset trips to Faro Island, and themed tours for weddings and birthday parties. For a comprehensive guide to the main walks and trails in the Algarve, visitors can check out the online booklet, Trails in the Algarve.
There are also some good entertainment parks in the Algarve, and with the weather being reliably dry and sunny at this time of year, water parks are a good way to cool off and have fun. Aqualand at Sitio das Areias – Apartado 11, Alcantarilha offers rapids, a crazy leap, a helter-skelter-style “crazy race” and a mega slide, among other attractions.
The other two main choices are Slide & Splash, which boasts a helter-skelter and reptile shows and a “tornado” slide, and Aquashow Park, which boasts a water roller-coaster. While the water-based entertainment at all three parks is mostly highly rated by customers, note that the dining facilities receive mixed reviews, so it may be worth bringing your own lunch.
MAY EVENTS IN ALGARVE
The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, situated at the Sitio do Escampadinho, Portimao is the main alternative, which is good for go-karting facilities. Karting enthusiasts
food
The Gastronomy of the Sea Festival
1st May 2016 to 31st May 2016
The Gastronomy of the Sea Festival is held in Tavira each May and sees a number of local restaurants come
together to showcase their best dishes. A famous chef also usually makes an appearance and performs workshops and demonstrations for foodie audiences to enjoy.
Festival de Caracois
6th May 2016 to 9th May 2016
The Snail Festival (Festival de Caracois) is held each year in Catro Marim. At the festival you will have the chance to taste Portuguese snail-based dishes, as well as those created by Spanish, Moroccan, French and Italian chefs. Each evening, live entertainment will be provided in the form of street theatre and music concerts.
Music
Sounds of the Atlantic
1st May 2016 to 31st May 2016
The Sounds of the Atlantic music festival, mainly focuses on world, traditional and folk music, but also spotlights various other genres, including jazz and blues. Music concerts take place at the Centro de Congressos do Arade in Ferragudo every night of the festival from 10pm onward. It is usually sometime in May.
Festival
International Sand Sculpture Festival
1st May 2016 to 31st May 2016
The International Sand Sculpture Festival is a popular event held every year in Pera, Algarve between May and October. The festival offers visitors the unique opportunity to wander amongst the giant, life-like sculptures during the day and at the night the sculptures are lit up and projections of previous events are also shown on them. Many of the sand sculptures come in different sizes and shapes, from giant lizards to famous landmarks. There are also a variety of workshops where you can learn how to create your own masterpiece made out of sand.
Website:
http://www.fiesa.org/
Festa da Pinha
29th May 2016
The Festa da Pinha (Festival of the Pine Cone) is held year year in Estoi. This traditional event is set up to celebrate the end of spring and coming of summer, with huge street processions, horse shows and music concerts.
Fair
May Fair
1st May 2016 to 31st May 2016
The May Fair is held annually in Azinhal and enables artisans to show off their skills in the form of bobbin lace, basketwork, embroidery and tapestry and esparto grass. Amongst the handicraft stalls, you’ll also find food and drink kiosks, as well as ethnographic entertainment.
Website:
http://en.lifecooler.com/lifecooleren/azinhal-fairs-markets-and-fairs-420690-1.html
National
May Day
1st May 2016
May Day is a national holiday held each year on May 1st. There are many celebrations and festivities going on all over the Algarve in honour of this day, such as traditional mannequin displays in Moncarapacho and Olhão. It is also very popular for locals to go out into the countryside and enjoy a picnic lunch.