The Algarve is the southernmost region of Portugal, and since the first days of mass tourism in the 1970’s, it has become the country’s most popular destination for holidaymakers. It has everything – an excellent climate; spectacular beaches; a range of sporting opportunities, from water sports to golf; traditional and international cuisine, and a friendly and welcoming population.

And all this is just under three hours from most UK airports. With the arrival of low cost airlines during the past decade, the Algarve has been opened up for travelers from all over Britain, and consequently the region has experienced a sharp increase in second homeowners and retirees anxious to escape a northern European winter.

So what else has the Algarve got to offer for a holiday, a weekend or a permanent life style opportunity?

The Algarve has some of the best beaches in Europe, complimented by an almost perfect climate. The atmosphere is relaxed, as the Portuguese are by nature friendly and tolerant, and no where more so than in the south. This all makes for great family holidays, whether you are looking to spend your days lazing on the beach or discovering some of the traditions, culture and history of Portugal. And there is a lot to discover in the Algarve.

Easy accessibility and the advent of budget airlines has put the Algarve on the ‘favourites’ list of those contemplating a second home in the sun. Property prices are higher than in the rest of Portugal due to the Algarve’s popularity amongst European holidaymakers, but comparable properties in other European hotspots are noticeably higher.

It is still possible to find a renovated town property in Faro or Lagos for fewer than 150,000 euros and in the less developed resorts property in town can be found for less than this.

Most town properties are renovated cottages, and as such may not have a garden or much sitting-out space, but with the beach on your doorstep, and availability of bars and cafes this is no great loss. Who wants to be gardening on holiday?

For families, the Algarve is the perfect venue. There are several water parks – one of the most popular being ‘Aqualand’ near Albufeira, which has some of the best water- based and adventurous rides in Europe. Zoomarine, also in Albufeira, is an oceanography park which manages to be great fun whilst being educational as the same time.

Krazyworld, in Algoz is a great place for letting off steam with a swimming pool, quad bikes, a fairground and even a crocodile park.

If that’s not enough there’s a superb go-karting track at Almancil which has a 760 m race track, and electric boats and a trampoline if karting begins to pall.

For grown-ups, the choice is just as varied: some of the best golf courses in Europe can be found in the Algarve. The area has over 30 courses, and the excellence of these together with the wonderfully benign climate makes the Algarve perfect for all- year- round golfing.

To the west of the region Martinhal beach, near Sagres, provides fabulous breakers for surfers and is a buzzing hotspot in the summer months. The beaches around the area can be remote, protected by dunes or cliffs, with never a beach bar or ice cream booth in sight, which adds to the attraction for avid surfers.

For culture-vultures the interior of the Algarve provides a profusion of historical sites such as Silves, which can trace its origins back more than 1,000 years and was once the capital of the Algarve.

If all this activity is too much, there are always the beaches to lounge on, and what beaches they are – fine clean sand, dramatic rocky backdrops and sparkling, Blue Flag status water. And amongst all the popular ones there are enough quiet secluded ones to cater for every taste.

The Algarve has so much it’s almost unfair to the rest of Europe.