Cultural visits and traditions not to be missed in the Algarve

As with the rest of Portugal, the Algarve possesses a rich and diversified culture and heritage. During your stay there, you will stumble upon many Roman ruins and bridges, Moorish castles, ancient monasteries and fortresses, as well as ancient towns and villages, illustrating the cultural diversity of the region. 

Other than the delicious seafood and impressive beaches of the Algarve, the region has much more to offer in terms of its past and heritage. Read on to learn more about the culture, traditions, and heritage of the Algarve! 

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When people think of the typical architecture of the Algarve, they usually picture the picturesque white washed houses and decorated chimneys. These houses, as well as several castles such as the Castle of Silves in Faro, are the main Moorish influences in the architecture of the Algarve. You can also find several houses with coloures frames in some villages in the countryside which also depict the Moorish influence on Algarven architecture.

Despite originating from Lisbon, fado music is a big part of the identity of people all around Portugal. It is often said that fado music represents Portuguese culture better than any other artistic expression, and has been declared the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The music, which can be characterised by melancholy, nostalgia and frustration is often performed by a vocalist singing mournful tunes, accompanied by a Portuguese guitar and classical guitar. 

The Portuguese love to celebrate, so there are many traditional dances coming from different regions. The traditional dance of the Algarve is the corridinho. This energetic and fast paced dance is danced in pairs, wearing colourful clothes and strongly holding each other and twirling in circles. As the traditional folk dance of the region, the city of Faro hosts a festival every year in August called FolkFaro, which usually takes place on the square near the marina and attracts many locals and tourists alike who wish to see the corridinho dance.

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Festa De Nossa Senhora da Conceição: For centuries, one of the main traditional activities of the Algarve has been fishing. Therefore, a lot of traditions and festivities are related to the fishing culture and traditions of the Portuguese people. For example, in Olhao, where a big part of the fisherman community lives, you can stroll through the municipal markets where fresh fish and locally produced fruits and vegetables are sold and discover more about fishing traditions and the livelihood of natives in the Algarve. 

Also related to the fishing tradition of Algarvians, every year one of the most important religious festivities occurs on the 7th and 8th of December in Quarteira. This antique celebration, known as the Festa da Nossa Senhora de Conceição, has been celebrated for over 200 years, and is held in honour of the protector Saint of the Fisherman. A candle procession accompanies the figure of the Saint to the shore and onto a boat, which blesses all other vessels and grants them protection for the upcoming year. This is a truly beautiful celebration, both visually and emotionally, that is worth attending if you want a deeper understanding of Portuguese culture. 

Carnival of Loulé: Although carnival is celebrated around Portugal and each town and village in the Algarve has its own festivity, the most important one is that of the region of Loulé which has been celebrated for over 100 years. Every year, usually in February, the lively streets are filled with colour, samba music and people dancing, making it the perfect event to enjoy with your family. You can put on your costume and dance amongst the locals in the cheerful and playful atmosphere that attracts thousands of visitors each year.