August in the Algarve, is the busiest month of the year. Apart from lots of foreigners all over the world visiting the beautiful Algarve, the Portuguese also have holiday. Meaning, busy beaches, bars and restaurants, but also lots of entertainment, like festivals. Below Algarve Housing will inform you with a few large festivals of the Algarve in August.
You do not like crowds? No problem! There are many beaches, and very large beaches, so if you do not like crowds, I recommend the West coast, or find one of the many large, white stretched sandy beaches of the Algarve, and just walk a bit to the left or right and you have more or less your private beach! Do not forget to bring your parasol, water or other drinks, and ofcourse sun cream!
Some higlights of things to do in August in the Algarve
3-7 August
Festival de Sardinhas- Portimao
Taking place at Parque de Feiras e Exposições de Portimão this fantastic 5 day food festival is not-to-be-missed! Not only are there bucket loads of the Algarve’s finest and freshest sardines, but there’s music and entertainment well into the night too!
9-14 August
Festival de Marisco- Olhao
Local seafood at it’s finest and a side order of Algarvian style food festival partying to go with it! One of our most famous Algarve events and one of the biggest in Europe attracting over 60,000 people. Hosted at the Jardim Pescador Olhanense, Olhão with the most fitting of views over the Ria Formosa nature reserve, the festival takes place from 7.30pm until 1.30am and tickets cost just €9 for adults, €4 for children 7-12 yrs (free entry for 6yrs and under). Tickets can be purchased at the Festival Box Office on arrival any evening from 6.30pm.
12-21 August
Medeival fair Silves
What was once the capital of the Algarve during the Arab occupation is today the most historic town in the region and home to the Algarve’s biggest castle and this is what makes Silves the perfect host for one of our most spectacular Algarve events! Taking visitors back to when Moors and Christians lived in the Middle Ages, the cobbled streets leading up to the castle become a medieval market place; trestle tables and hay bales are laid out next to the barbecues and spit roasts in the “dining” area and musicians, jugglers, acrobats, dancers, snake charmers and jousters entertain us whilst merchants and artisans sell their wares. The fair opens at 6pm until 1am and costs just 2€ per person.
15 August
Mariza Loule
In less than twelve years, Mariza has risen from a well hidden local talent in her hometown of Lisbon, to one of the most widely acclaimed stars of the World Music circuit.
19-28 August
Fatacil Lagoa
Essentially a country fair, the event has grown over the years since first beginning in 1982 and is now one of the largest events in the region, with thousands of visitors flocking to the Fatacil ground.
This is an event that attracts many Portuguese visitors from outside the Algarve as well as locals and foreign tourists looking to soak up the atmosphere.
The site of the Fatacil is easy to find, located on the Carvoeiro side of the EN125 with official parking available in the waste land (where the circus pitches up).
To avoid parking problems then arrive before 7pm, you will also avoid having to queue too long for tickets if you get there earlier.
An entry fee is payable at the gate (usually around €5) but you can get in for free if you a blood donor in Portugal.
This is a country fair so we have the obligatory heavy farm machinery on display around the back while there are also examples of livestock including a few sheep, cows, pigs and horses.
A special area is set up each year with seating and a show ring for horse shows that take place every night. This area is located next to the livestock.
If animals are not really your thing and you would rather sample some local tipples then the Fatacil now hosts a wine fair. This is a relatively new addition to the fair and celebrates the fact that local Algarve wines are now being recognised for their quality.
In the wine area you can sample different wines and buy up some discount boxes while seeing who the winners of the main awards have been.
On the food front there are plenty of choices from local cakes and sweets, to that octopus that you can smell burning, I mean cooking, from half a mile away. There are all the usual carnival type foods with bifanas, pão com chouriço and faturas but a personal favourite has to be the enormous smelly cheese and presunto sandwiches that are made to order and are truly amazing.
The main fair has hundreds of stalls selling everything from hot tubs to homemade bead bracelets. Traditional arts and crafts are represented well with stalls selling lace, wooden objects and homemade tools dotted around but be careful not to go expecting a great bargain as many of the items are expensive due to them being hand crafted.
Leather jackets, riding crops, air conditioning systems, cleaning products, personalised pottery, books and toys there is something for everyone and when you ave finished shopping until you drop then it is time to head off to the music area to watch one of the daily concerts.
This article about things to do in August in the Algarve, is brought to you by Algarve Housing, the villa rental company for better holidays in the Algarve, Portugal.
Please contact me for any further details,
Warm regards,
Michele