Travellers Algarve and Southern Portugal, 2nd

For stunning beaches, dependable sunshine and excellent tourist facilities the Algarve and Southern Portugal is hard to beat. But dig a little deeper and the discerning traveller will find a region with a rich historical and cultural heritage ripe for discovery. The legacy of successive Roman, Moorish and Christian rulers in Southern Portugal lends the region a rich mix of architectural styles, culminating in the magnificent walled city of Evora, a UNESCO world heritage site. Elsewhere, the interior is typified by hillsides dotted with almond and olive trees and peaceful whitewashed villages. However, it is the beautiful coastline that is the big draw for most visitors, and despite extensive development in some areas it is eminently possible to find a secluded beach to relax on.