As the summer sun stretches its warm embrace over Portugal, a curious phenomenon sweeps across the Algarve. Locals brace themselves; businesses stock up, and tourists from all corners of the globe gear up for what can only be described as the annual "population explosion."
Yes, my fellow adventurers, welcome to the Algarve in the summer months, where the population swells faster than you can say "sardines on the grill"! However fear not, intrepid travellers, West is best and you can always find somewhere to avoid the crowds…you just have to know where.
As the temperatures rise and the school bells chime their final ring, the great migration to the Algarve begins. Sun-seeking tourists flock to the region, armed with sunscreen, inflatable flamingos, and an insatiable thirst for adventure......and sometimes a cold Sagres or three!
Traffic is not an issue we are used to in the Algarve, but for 8 weeks in the summer, rental cars appear, and should come with a warning! It's a delicate dance of patience and perseverance, punctuated by the occasional beep of a horn and the universal language of hand gestures.
It has to be said that amidst the summer madness, there's a certain charm to be found in the Algarve's bustling energy. Whether you're sipping sangria, enjoying a bustling market, or simply soaking up the sun on a beach, there's a sense of camaraderie in sharing this quirky adventure with fellow travellers from around the world. As a resident, it is also lovely when the holiday makers return back to their day to day lives, and we get our little slice of paradise back! In the meantime - we embrace the great migration!
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