Located in the south of mainland Portugal, the Algarve is separated from the Alentejo plain by an almost uninterrupted mountain range that extends from the Spanish border to the Atlantic coast.

The Mediterranean climate differs between the coast to the east of Faro, the Sotavento, which is warmer and marked by a strong Mediterranean influence, and the coast to the west of Faro, the Barlavento, which is cooler, wetter, and more temperate.

The soils of the region are heterogeneous, divided between areas mainly sandy, clayey, limestone, gritty, and litholithic, with a few rare schistous areas on the mountain slopes.

The Algarve is divided into four appellations of origin: Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa, and Tavira. Sheltered from the hot, dry northern winds by the mountain range and benefiting from over 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, the Algarve stands out as one of the regions with the greatest development potential in Portugal.

The majority of white grape varieties are Arinto, Malvasia Fina, Manteúdo, and Síria, while the main red grape varieties are Castelão and Negra Mole.

Sub-regions:

01: Lagos

02: Portimão

03: Lagoa

04: Tavira