Algarve officials highlight 40+ golf courses and 20 wineries to attract year-round tourists
Southern Portugal’s Algarve region says it has moved way beyond simply being a beach destination, with tourism officials stating that those who aren’t overly interested in wading into salt water will still easily be able to enjoy their vacations in the sun-soaked destination.
Tourism officials from the Algarve visited Toronto this week, reporting a part of Portugal that has plenty of coast shouldn’t be seen as an ocean playground alone.
“We’re not only that,” said Hugo Nascimento of Visit Algarve, while citing a range of attractions, including over 40 golf courses, with the International Association of Golf Tour Operators having several times labelled the Algarve the best golf destination in the world.
“The Algarve is known for being a golfer’s paradise,” Nascimento’s Visit Algarve colleague Patricia Ponte told the gathering.
There are also some 20 wineries that tourists can visit, Nascimento reported while adding that the destination also has plenty of hiking and biking trails.
Nascimento also said the Algarve, which has long-standing reminders of one-time Roman and Moorish presences in the region, is determined to “keep our history.”
The Algarve — which sees more than 300 days of sunshine a year — is promoting itself as a year-round destination to Canadians, with Nascimento reporting that winter temperatures will be around 15 degrees. “We have a lot of snowbirds there because it is affordable.”
The Toronto-event also drew representatives from the Azores-based SATA Azores Airlines, with the airline’s Joao Ferreira reporting that the Canadian market is growing quickly for it.
SATA — which is celebrating its 85th year in 2026 — has year-round service to both Montreal and Toronto to the Azores, and its network includes mainland Portugal as well. The airline will have six weekly Toronto flights during the summer and four a week to Montreal in that same season.
Canadians travelling with SATA are offered connections through WestJet and Porter Airlines.
Azores stopovers of up to seven days are available for those travelling between this country and mainland Portugal, with Ferreira saying the semi-tropical Azores will appeal to different types of vacationers, including those who enjoy whale-watching, surfing, hiking, trekking, diving and cultural tourism.
Thermal pools enable the Azores to attract those interested in wellness tourism.
SATA uses A321neo planes on its Canadian routes, with two types of service — Comfort and Economy — available.
Ferreira noted that passengers on SATA planes will hear the sounds of waves and Portuguese birds while boarding, a welcoming touch.
Andrea Thornton Discover the World, which represents SATA in this country, added that the carrier is committed to sustainability.
“We’re constantly working on reducing our footprint,” she said. “We’re experts at putting our clients and the planet first.”
Meanwhile, Thorton said SATA is committed to working with travel agents, citing its sata4agents.com site, with Ferreira saying the site provides a “major opportunity” for the travel agent community.
