A taste of the region

The Algarve is known for world famous beaches and prestigious golf courses, but it is often forgotten that it is also home to a fantastic food heritage. With outstanding local produce from the farm as well as the sea, the Algarve has reinvented itself as a true foodie destination. Bringing together the past and the present, our local producers represent the best the region has to offer. 

We are proud to play a role in sustaining local crafts and traditions, with these artisans so important to our culture and heritage. Visiting them is a great way to explore unique tastes and quality that you’ll only find while you’re here - so why not take a journey into the heart of Algarvian gastronomy?

In the Arabic and Persian languages, “Portugal” literally means “orange.” It’s no wonder then, that the Algarve’s intensely coloured oranges are considered among the juiciest and sweetest in the world. Visiting Silves, you will find endless rows of orange trees glowing in the sun and street vendors selling bags of them on the white-walled streets. Part of a natural ecosystem, the honey from the region is also of a very high quality with a unique taste - mainly due to the small, family-run orange farms still using traditional fertilisation practices, and to whom the bees are thankful. 

The rural, farming traditions of the Algarve live on in the breathtaking mountains and valleys of Monchique. Among the villages nestled upon these hillsides, we can find traditional enchidos (filled, cured or smoked sausages), courtesy of local farmers and producers. With recipes handed down for generations, they are served as delicious tapas or small plates and often paired with Medronho, a traditional fruit brandy from the fruit of the Medronho tree. Also known as the strawberry tree, they can easily be grown on the dry hillsides, with over 40 producers in Monchique alone.

In the eastern Algarve, Moncarapacho is home to dozens of hectares of olive groves. An industry dating back to Roman times, the olives are picked by hand in autumn and traditionally taken to stone-mill presses to produce an extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality. Some of the producers here offer authentic, olive farm experiences featuring guided tours, a tour of the groves, a visit to the mill, and a tasting session paired with local produce and dishes. 

At Castro Marim, Flor de Sal is harvested by hand, collecting and preserving the delicate crystals from saltwater traps. The finest sea salt is made from crystals forming upon the water’s surface under the perfect conditions of warm sunshine and cooling wind. Flor de Sal brings out flavours and transforms an everyday dish into something truly special. A tour with the salt producers will demonstrate how the salt is collected and the important part it plays in local gastronomy - a fascinating look at the complexity of simplicity.

Explore the gastronomy of the Algarve region, from Vila Vita Parc or one of our villas in the Vila Vita Collection. Discover the Culinary World of Vila Vita Parc.