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Algarve Resorts

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Ferraguda Holidays

It's rare to find the authentic Algarve amongst the well developed resorts of the west. But Ferragudo bucks the trend magnificently. A classic combination of cobbled streets and whitewashed, flower-decked houses clustered around a simple village church, it's a reminder of how sleepy and unspoilt this part of Portugal was just a few decades ago. Wander up to the terrace in front of the church and you'll be rewarded with fantastic views across the terracotta rooftops to the colourful boats bobbing about in the estuary below. Carry on walking and you'll come to the Castelo de Sao Joao de Arade, which stands proud on a rocky headland. Built as a lookout post, this medieval fortress was turned into a well posh gaff by the poet Coelho Carvalho and is still a rather palatial private house today. From there it's just a short stroll down to the village's main resort area, Praia Grande. Protected by a sea wall, it's a great sport for watersports, particularly windsurfing. Not to mention having one of the best beaches this side of Carvoeiro. In the evening, Ferragudo's marina is a pleasant place to while away a few hours and you can sample the catch of the day in one of the harbourside fish restaurants. As for days out, you can follow the route plied by ancient Phoenician traders up-river to the Moorish town of Silves or explore Portimao, one of the Algarve's main fishing ports.

On holiday in Ferragudo, you can forget hustle and bustle. For this is a charmingly sleepy place, all whitewashed lanes, flower-decked steps and bobbing fishing boats which really go fishing! Come the evening, you can pull up a chair at a harbourside restaurant and watch the catch of the day sizzle on an open-air barbecue. Gleaming white buildings topped by warm terracotta pile up the hill like an oversized wedding cake, with the village's church perched on top commanding sweeping views of the estuary below.

Whether this is a late deal or a family summer holiday, a good beach is likely to be near the top of your tick list. Ferragudo obliges with the velvet sands of Praia Grande just around the rocky headland, where the sea wall creates sheltered conditions for windsurfing. Venture a little further along the coast to discover cliff framed coves of honey coloured sand such as Praia dos Caneiros.

Travel to Ferragudo and you'll find yourself well placed to explore west to lovely Lagos, where sun dappled squares and pavement cafes beckon, or north to the pine scented Monchique mountains where the air is cooler. Ten minutes drive to the east brings you to Carvoeiro where great restaurants and a low key holiday atmosphere await you. Of course, you may prefer to while away an hour or two sampling the ice cream and pottering around the craft shops in Ferragudo's sunlit, cobbled, main square.