Golden cliffs, sea caves and long sandy beaches on Portugal's sunny south coast. Here's what the Algarve is like, when to go and how long to stay.
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Temperatures are the average daytime high in °C.
May, June and September are the best months, with hot sunny days and fewer crowds. July and August are busy and the Atlantic stays fresh, even in summer. Spring and autumn are lovely for coastal walks and golf. Winter is mild and sunny by UK standards, with quiet towns and low prices.
The famous cave with a hole in its roof. See it by boat or kayak from Benagil or Portimão, as you can't land on the beach.
A clifftop path between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centeanes with views over arches and coves.
A lively old town with sea stacks and grottoes just around the headland.
Lagoons and sandbar islands near Faro and Tavira, reached by little ferries.
Wild Atlantic cliffs at Europe's south-west corner, with surf beaches and big sunsets.
A red sandstone castle above an old Moorish town, half an hour inland.
It's the Atlantic, so it stays fresh, usually reaching about 21 to 23°C in late summer. The east, near Tavira, tends to be a little warmer.
Lagos and Carvoeiro suit cliffs and coves. Albufeira is busiest. Tavira is quieter and more traditional.
Buses and trains link the main towns, but a car makes it much easier to reach the beaches and the west coast.
A week is ideal for a beach holiday with a few day trips. Long weekends work well out of season.
Put Algarve on standby with everyone's other ideas. You each spread your points in secret, get one veto, and the draw picks where you go.