Algarve tourism highlights include coastal landmarks and rural villages

The Algarve region in southern Portugal offers diverse attractions ranging from coastal landscapes to serene rural villages. Key coastal destinations include Tavira, known for its traditional architecture and proximity to the fortified village of Cacela Velha, and the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a 60-kilometer ecosystem of channels, marshes, and barrier islands such as Ilha Deserta and Ilha de Culatra.

For a more tranquil experience, the inland village of Alte provides a rural alternative to the busy beaches. Characterized by white-washed houses built into the hillside, Alte is noted for its calm atmosphere and cultural significance, being the home of the poet Cândido Guerreiro. Notable landmarks in the village include the 16th-century Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, which features 18th-century blue and white tiles.