One of the many great attractions of the Algarve is that the popular tourist region’s festive holiday season extends well beyond summer. Essentially throughout the year, in fact.
From today, for example, visitors and residents can enjoy the 11th annual Birdwatching & Nature Activities Festival. Held in Sagres until 5 October, and described as Portugal’s “largest nature event”, the festival includes field trips, walks, talks, workshops, environmental education activities, bird ringing sessions, photography courses, history-themed guided tours and dolphin-watching.
In addition, several online activities have been organised to enable people from all over the world to participate in talks, workshops and other special non-presencial highlights of the festival program.
Those physically attending the event have received assurances from the organisers that, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, “the festival’s sites and activities will be adapted to ensure participants’ safety, following health authorities’ recommendations”.
Algarve Hiking Guide
Meanwhile, visitors who travel to the Algarve for its renowned hiking options can download the new “Guide to Algarve’s Walking Trails“ here. Including a total of 47 short-distance routes (under 30 kilometres) and overviews of four long-distance routes (30 kilometres-plus), the guide is ideal, according to the Algarve Tourism Bureau, for travellers who “appreciate contact with nature and like to venture outdoors, with family or friends, or simply strolling alone, among mountains, woods, dunes, cliffs, lakes and rivers,
Visitors are invited to “discover the region’s nature and heritage, its diverse landscape and strong Mediterranean influences. Whether exploring unpaved paths, cobbled sections or wooden walkways, there are many suggestions for hikers and practical advice.”
Equestrian Tour in Vilamoura
The eighth edition of the “Vilamoura Champions Tour” will be held at the Algarve resort for seven weeks from 7 October to 19 November. This will be followed by six 2021 Olympic qualifying Grand Prix events, culminating with the Nations Cup.
Around 900 horses, 300 riders and more than 30 countries will be in Vilamoura to compete for a total prize of €1,210,000 awarded with the Nations Cup.
Teams from 12 nations are already confirmed: Portugal, Spain, Great Britain (champions 2016), Ireland, Italy, France (reigning Olympic champions), Germany (bronze medallists in the 2016 Olympics), Switzerland, Belgium (European champions), Argentina, Netherlands and Brazil (Pan American champions).