Driving time from Faro: 1 hour. Centred around the historic town of Lagos the western Algarve has something to offer everyone. Located a one hour drive from Faro the region has superb sandy beaches ranging from the broad expanses of Meia Praia and Porto do Mos to the intimate cove beaches such as Praia D’Ana and the smaller resort beaches of Burgau, Salema and Praia da Luz. Lagos itself has a choice of eight beaches and within a short drive is one of the Algarve’s best waterslide parks ‘Slide ‘n’ Splash’ near to Portimao. Shopping and eating out are well catered for in all areas and the paved centre of Lagos provides an ideal evening of strolling and dining. The old castle walls and fort still stand in Lagos and you will find the remains of the only remaining slave market in Europe, evidence of the town’s important past. The new marina encapsulates the tasteful way in which the town has developed and boat trips are very popular activities. Sports of all kinds are well catered for. Superb golf is available at Parque de Floresta, Boa Vista, Palmares and Penina. The Parque de Floresta also boasts tennis, health spa and gym. There are a number of horse riding centres, tennis and squash at the Burgau Sports Centre and water sports abound at both Meia Praia beach and Praia da Luz. Much of the area between Lagos and Cape St. Vincent has been designated National Park and development is now restricted. This is an area of natural beauty and a day trip to the most south westerly point of Europe at Sagres and Cape St. Vincent is a must. For the adventurous a drive to the Atlantic facing beaches on the west coast is becoming increasingly popular where there is superb surfing.