Portuguese olive oil is delicious – and utterly underrated. Try Esporão extra virgin olive oil, available in supermarkets, or splash out on one from a regional winery such as Quinta dos Sentidos.
When to go
The Portuguese tourist board could make a poster of the seasons in flowers: with the pink almond blossom in February, the blue-blossomed jacaranda tree lining the streets in May, the shocking pink bougainvillea in July, and the flaming red poinsettia tree in December – all framed against a blue sky. In short, weather-wise the Algarve is pretty safe most of the year.
For deserted beaches, come outside the school holidays. The best months are May, June or October, when the sun is hot and visitors few.
High summer – July and August – can mean crowded facilities in the central Algarve, but head inland to find a quiet rural paradise that has changed little over the centuries.
In December and January, although it’s colder at night, there’s often warm sunshine in the middle of the day – and, of course, much lower hotel rates. Although swimming is only for the truly hardy, it is a wonderful time to have the Algarve to yourself.
