Living in The Algarve – A Healthy Start to New Year

Looking for a Healthier Lifestyle for 2023? The Algarve has a Lot to Offer

With a year-round climate that lends itself to outdoor living, the Algarve is the perfect home for those looking to start the new year with a healthier lifestyle. After the Xmas festivities, we all tend to put on a few extra kilos! Here are a few tips to regain the hourglass figure whilst living in the Algarve

Set on the sunny southern coast of Portugal, the Algarve region is renowned for its beautiful beaches, Mediterranean climate, charming local people and picturesque towns and villages. 

A recipe that serves the location as one of the most popular destinations for tourists in Europe, who come in their droves to enjoy the region’s exceptionally sunny weather, white sandy beaches, and the many cultural attractions on offer. 

Foreigners Relocating to The Algarve

As times and circumstances are changing in other countries, mostly for the worse! More and more foreigners are choosing the Algarve as the perfect place for relocation. With many visa options for families, remote workers and retirees there is no reason not to!  

In this article, I will take you through the benefits of living in the Algarve and point you in the right direction in your quest to make the change to a healthier lifestyle. The region has lots to offer for those thinking of making the move to a better and safer life for themselves and for their loved ones.

The region also attracts many sporting types, boasting a wealth of top-class golf courses along with many sporting centres for both on-land and water sports.

Golf in the Algarve

Obviously golfing is the main sporting attraction in the Algarve with many excellent golf courses deemed to be amongst the best in Europe. In all the region has more than 40 golf courses, ranging from championship-level to more casual, beginner-friendly courses.

The Algarve’s golf courses are praised for their challenging layouts and beautiful surroundings, with many of them offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding countryside. 

Many of the courses are located near the coast, making them popular with tourists who like to combine their golf vacation with a beach holiday.

Home to several prestigious championship golf tournaments, including the Portugal Masters, which takes place at the Victoria Golf Course in Vilamoura. 

The region is also home to a number of golf resorts, which offer accommodation, dining, and other amenities for golfers. In fact, a great number of the top resorts are linked to a course. Such as Vale do Lobo and Quinta do Lago two of the most exclusive resorts in the Algarve.

All in all the Algarve is a fantastic destination for golfers of all levels, with a wide variety of courses to choose from and excellent facilities provided.

Water Sports in the Algarve

With beautiful beaches and clear, warm waters, the Algarve is also a popular destination to relocate for those who enjoy a variety of water sports. 

With a wide range of activities including swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and boat tours. 

The Atlantic Ocean and the Ria Formosa natural park offer great conditions for the majority of water sports, you can also find a few lakes which are good to practice wakeboarding and waterskiing.

Additionally, many of the centres found in the Algarve offer equipment rentals and lessons for these activities, making it easy for visitors to try them out even if they are not experienced or own their own equipment.

The bustling resort town of Albufeira is one of the best locations for water sports. Boasting its own marina where you book a variety of sea-bound excursions including deep sea fishing. 

Dotted around the beaches of the local you will find many watersport centres for the renting of equipment or you partake in waterskiing, diving, and surfing with lessons provided for beginners.

Walking in the Algarve

The Algarve is blessed with an unspoilt landscape and many of these areas have now been designated as natural parks and protected areas. 

Giving the outdoor adventurer plenty of options for walks and biking treks, all through beautiful scenery and with clean sea air to breathe.

Its beautiful coastal landscapes, rolling hills, and picturesque towns make the Algarve a great place for both walking and jogging.

For those interested in walking, there are many well-marked trails and paths that take visitors through the region’s natural landscapes and historical sites. 

Some of the popular areas for walking include the Ria Formosa Natural Park, where newly built decking-type wooden walkways swathe their way through the wetland area full of rare wildlife and endemic plants.

Another favourite takes us to the Monchique Mountains, which is home to the highest point of the Algarve. This one is not for the faint-hearted as treks take you through the quaint old Romanesque town and up into the surrounding mountains and hills.

Cycling in the Algarve

Cycling is also a popular activity for those living in the Algarve, with many scenic routes and dedicated bike lanes taking you safely through the cities and towns.

If you don’t own a bike you will find many rental outlets in every location. In some towns such as Vilamoura, you can pick a bike up from one of the bike stations and drop it at any of the other stations dotted around the resort.

Cycling is particularly good in the Eastern Algarve where the flatlands and scenic coastlines make it ideal for road cycling.

In fact, one of the great cycling routes is the Algarve Way, a long-distance trail that runs along the entire length of the Algarve coast. 

Starting from the most westerly point at Cape St Vincent and finishing in the east at the frontier of Portugal and Spain in Vila Real de Santo Antonio.

It offers a mix of different terrains, including dirt tracks and quiet roads, and passes through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled parts of the region.

Football & Tennis and Paddle in the Algarve

Tennis courts: There are lots of tennis facilities in the Algarve, some of which are part of larger sports centres or hotels, while others are standalone facilities.

With paddle tennis becoming a very popular activity, most tennis centres now incorporate this sport into the courts. With many professional coaches on hand to learn the less experienced the Algarve is a top location for those who love the sport.

The Campus in Quinta do Lago is probably the best sports centre in the region. Opening in October of 2021 it is a state-of-the-art facility for a whole range of sports including tennis, paddle and football. 

Football pitches: Many sports centres in the Algarve have football pitches, which can be used for both competitive and recreational games.

Algarve Healthy Living Conclusion

The Algarve region is at the forefront of promoting a healthy lifestyle by providing access to walks and cycle routes that allows you to take in the region’s natural beauty and get a sense of its unique culture and history, while also being an active and fun way to explore.

It is a great place to live for both young and old. The outside lifestyle is there for all to enjoy and the best part is that it is available all year round. If you are searching for a new place to live I guarantee you would not be disappointed in the beautiful Algarve.