Portugal's southern coastline is one of Europe's loveliest. Towering cliffs and secluded beaches face out towards the lonely Atlantic ocean and delightful villages of all shapes and sizes are dotted along the coast.

Faro, with its international airport, is the hub of the region. Both modern and ancient, it is dotted with monuments and cathedrals, most notably the Renaissance-inspired Nossa Senhora da Assuncão Convent and São Francisco Church. (16-18th centuries) located on the town square. The old city is delightful, still surrounded by the Roman walls. Also worth visiting is the city's archeological museum, housed in a 16th Century former Convent. Next to the small boat basin, bordering the Praade Dom Francisco Gomes is a small Naval Museum composed of scale model boats and galleons showing the maritime history of the coast.
More details on Faro.

Sagres is dramatically situated on the cliff-edges of mainland Europe's western-most point. It was here that five centuries ago Prince Henry set up a school of navigation which played a crucial role in the Portuguese discoveries. Apart from the Nossa Senhora da Graça Hermitage, you can visit the magnificent Fortress (originally built in the 14th century, and later altered).

The quiet highland town of Monchique, dozing on the wooded slopes of the Serra de Monchique, offers a good alternative to the hurly-burly chaos of beach life on the coast. Apart from its beautiful and restive setting it's worth driving or hiking through thick forest to Fóia, the 'rooftop' of the Algarve, Portugal.

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