About Phil Giddings: Your Guide to the real Algarve

Olá, I'm Phil. For many, the Algarve is the ultimate holiday destination, and for my family, it has always been a special place we return to year after year. Today, sharing my deep knowledge of this region and the rest of Portugal is my full-time profession. My goal with this website is to be the most comprehensive and practical guide to the Algarve, helping you plan your perfect trip.

My journey with Portugal began back in 2001, when my wife, Carla, first showed me her home country. Her local's perspective helped me fall in love with it. In 2012, I launched this website as a passion project, and it has been continuously updated ever since. What began as a hobby has now grown into my full-time profession, but that initial passion for discovering the real Portugal still drives the dedicated research behind every guide on this site.

What I love most about the Algarve is its incredible diversity, which many visitors miss. There's a world of difference between the calm, historic streets of Tavira in the east and the dramatic, golden cliffs surrounding the grottoes of Ponta da Piedade in the west. My family and I have spent years exploring it all: from the lively resorts of the central Algarve to the wild, windswept surfing beaches near Sagres. This guide is built on that deep, region-wide knowledge.

My approach is built on years of personal visits. It means I can tell you not just which beaches are beautiful, but which are best suited for families with young children or which have the easiest access. It means knowing where to go for an authentic cataplana away from the tourist traps, and I revisit these places regularly to ensure my advice is always current and reliable.

I hope this guide helps you find your perfect spot in the sun. Thank you for trusting me with your plans. For my full story and expertise on Lisbon, you can main profile here.

Our most popular guides to the Algarve

About the author: I'm Philip Giddings and have been writing these independent guides since 2009. I first visited the Algarve in 2001 when my Portuguese wife, Carla, was proud to show her country to me. We now live in Lisbon but I'm in the region most weeks researching and updating this site or visiting Carla’s extended family who live here. Having both Portuguese-family and friends who live within the Algarve gives me the local insight and personal connection to the region.

I love the Algarve region and strive to ensure every practical detail (such as ticket prices, opening hours) is correct, by checking against official sources and confirming in person on the many trips I make. I am experienced in Portuguese travel having written almost 2,000 guides for my wider set of Portugal Guides, and this is my full-time work and passion. The site is funded by affiliate commissions on tour and accommodation bookings, disclosed on every page that carries them. No tourist board, tour operator or attraction pays to appear here. My full story can be read here.