The 'California of Europe' Has Rolling Vineyards, Luxury Resorts, and 100 Miles of Coastline

"From its vine-filled landscapes in the Douro Valley to its cultural centers in Porto and Lisbon, there's something for every kind of traveler here. However, there's a part of the country that is particularly magnetic: the Algarve, sometimes called the "California of Europe." As someone who has called both California and Portugal home, I can understand why people make the comparison, though the Algarve is a destination all its own."

""For me, the Algarve is all about contrasts: the dramatic cliffs and secret coves along the coastline, the rolling hills dotted with almond and fig trees, and the warm welcome from people everywhere you go," Ricardo Rodrigues, the front office manager at the Marriott Residences Salgados Resort, shared with Travel + Leisure. "I was born and raised near Albufeira, and I love how life here still follows the rhythms of the sea and the sun."

Portugal spans 35,600 square miles and offers vine-filled landscapes in the Douro Valley and cultural centers in Porto and Lisbon. The Algarve, nicknamed the "California of Europe," presents a sun-drenched southern coastline with dramatic limestone cliffs, secret coves, and expansive beaches that remain hospitable even in peak season. The region combines outstanding cuisine, world-class golf courses, and a laid-back surf culture with rolling hills dotted with almond and fig trees. Local life follows the rhythms of the sea and sun, producing a seasonal energy that is busy in summer and peaceful in winter. Accommodations like the Marriott Residences Salgados Resort provide spacious apartments, full kitchens, and multiple pools with immediate beach access for traveler comfort.

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