The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal and the country’s primary tourist attraction. It has a rich history: As the part of the country closest to North Africa, it was the main center of the Arab occupation of Portugal, as well as their last stronghold there. Many reminders of this period of Portuguese history remain, including magnificent castles and such place names as Albufeira and Silves. The name Algarve, in fact, comes from the Arabic الغرب, meaning “the west.”
Before you begin to explore the region, the thing to think about is finding a means of transportation. One of the best Portugal car rental agents is Auto Jardim Car Hire, which serves the entire country. Its headquarters are in Albufeira, which is in Algarve.
Number one on any visitor’s list should be Silves Castle (o Castelo dos Mouros— the Moors’ castle— in Portuguese), in the city of that name on the southern coast. Built between 700 and 1200, it was one of the Arabs’ main fortresses. Much of it has been restored. Also present is Silves Cathedral, built in the 1200s in the Gothic style by Alfonso III shortly after the Christians conquered the city. The exterior is whitewashed, but much of the interior was constructed from sandstone. The visitor can spend the night at the rustic orange- farm- turned- B & B Duas Quintas Guest House.
Faro is the regional capital. It has a Jewish Heritage Center, including a cemetery which is all that remains of the first Jewish community to form after the Inquisition ceased. A museum is also present.
The Algarve is a historic region indeed, but no tourist’s guide would be complete without a mention of the number one reason why so many tourists go there: its exceptionally clean beaches. The beach at Albufeira is one of the most attractive, with its rocky red cliffs. With so many options, the Algarve is the perfect vacation getaway. Explore with a car rental in Portugal on your next vacation!
Witnessing Portugal’s palaces and castles is like watching Romeo sing to Juliet; his soft spoken words to Juliet are your first steps towards this country’s most extraordinary attractions. Throughout Portugal, the fascinating trail of endless sightseeing treasures is bound to arouse a higher appreciation for this country’s diary of history. Without a doubt, jaunting to Portugal is an experience of a lifetime that’s worth saving up for; after all, why come to the world’s most beautiful sites for the days of the old with insufficient funds.
In order to gain the understanding as to why Portugal is a wonder that’s considered a birth right for all people to see, you have to rent a car as soon as you touch down in Portugal. Luckily, one of the easiest and simplest tasks that has to be done is dealing with a car rental in Portugal. There are many car rental companies available, so coming across the perfect car won’t be too hard or worrisome at all. A car rental in Portugal isn’t required, considering that public transportation is available, but it’s the most reliable way to explore the various mazes in every city and town.
The fact that most of Portugal’s castles, palaces and sightseeing wonders are mainly in the towns and cities just goes to show that renting a car is indeed the best available option. Staying true to the sole purpose of jaunting to Portugal; all it takes is a slow pace drive through the streets of the cities to stare at the exterior of the many palaces and castles. Although this will surely be more than impressive enough, checking out the interior of these historic wonders is bound to surpass any previous thoughts of being satisfied. Another spectacular thing about visiting Portugal is that the interminable list of treasures are easy to enter. The fees to enter the castles and palaces are exceptionally fair totally free.
Without a doubt, a vacation spent in Portugal is most certainly going to be a memorable experience.
