Algarve emerging as birdwatchers' paradise

Twitchers are joining golf fans and sun-seekers in booking cheap holidays to the Algarve as Portugal establishes itself as one of Europe's premier bird watching destinations.

While the coastal region is perhaps best known among Britons for its stunning beaches, historic villages and world-class golf courses, local conservation experts have reported a marked upturn in wildlife-loving tourists over the past few months.

Indeed, according to a new report from the English-language Portugal News Onlone, the recent Bird Watching Festival, held in Sagres in the heart of the Algarve this summer, has firmly placed the region on the ornithological map, with visitors flocking there from Sweden, Germany, the US and Canada, as well as from Britain.

Notably, given that a sizeable proportion of bird watchers are retired and relatively well-off, this trend is spelling good news for the Algarve in general, with hotels, bars and restaurants cashing in on its new status as a bird-lovers paradise.

The Algarve is also well-known for its excellent cuisine, with fresh fruit and especially seafood among the local delicacies, though tourism remains the number one source of income.

Posted by Jamie Manterfield