Algarve's mild climate attracts interest from Northern Europeans wishing to have a holiday home or residence on the region. The Phoenicians had established trading ports along the coast circa 1000 BC. The Algarve is hilly, but traversed with rich valleys. The maximum temperatures in the Algarve fluctuate between 15 and 38 �C, with the temperature never falling below zero in the winter months. Praia da Marinha, Lagoa was classified as one of the 100 most beautiful and well preserved beaches of the world.

In 1807, when Junot was leading the first Napoleonic invasion in the north of Portugal, the Algarve was occupied by the Spanish troops of Manuel Godoy. In addition to the natural beauties and plenty of beaches, the Algarve has invested in the creation of a network of golf courses. After 1471, with the conquest of territories in Northern Africa (considered as the Algarve of abroad in Africa) the title became with Afonso V of Portugal, King of Portugal and the Algarves here (in Europe) and abroad in Africa, and it stayed so till the proclamation of the Portuguese Republic in 1910. Faro, which the Christian residents had called Santa Maria, was renamed Faraon, which means "the settlement of the Knights". Accommodation in the Algarve ranges from high rise resorts in places like Albufeira to traditional guesthouses, located in the small towns and villages surrounding the algarve coast.

The length of the south-facing coastline is approximately 155 kilometres. The region's administrative centre is the city of Faro, which has its own international airport (Faro Airport) and public university (University of the Algarve). The Algarve was a semi-autonomous area with a governor from 1595 to 1808, as well as a separate taxation system until the end of the 18th century. The Algarve is also host to the annual Algarve Cup invitational tournament for national teams in women's football. When the Moors conquered Lagos in 716 it was called Zawaia.

The Algarve region is divided into 16 municipalities:
The Algarve is a popular destination for tourism, primarily because of its beaches, Mediterranean climate, safety and relatively low costs. The Carthaginians founded Portus Hanibalis which is known today as Portim�o in circa 550 BC. The coastline is notable for picturesque limestone caves and grottoes, particularly around Lagos, which are accessible by powerboat. It is composed of 5,412 square kilometres with approximately 410,000 permanent inhabitants (density of 76 inhabitants per square kilometre).

The Algarve is the home of the Ria Formosa lagoon, a nature reserve of over 170 square kilometres and a stopping place for hundreds of different birds. The Conii, influenced by Tartessos, were established by the sixth century BC in the region of the Algarve. Traditional agricultural products of the region include fig, almond, medronho, carob beans, and cork oak. The coastline is notable for picturesque limestone caves and grottoes, particularly around Lagos, which are accessible by powerboat. Its highest point is the mountain range of Monchique, with a maximum altitude of 906m (Peak of the F�ia).