As the days start to warm up in the Algarve thoughts turn towards the spring and easter. Our regular guest author Luke Murray take a look at the fairs and food.
Easter in the Algarve is a great time to come to Portugal as you will get to experience one of the region’s most beloved and sacred holidays. With festivals, food and sun galore you would be a fool to miss the Christian countries most celebrated events. There are multiple Folar fairs all across the Algarve to enjoy, Folar fairs are traditional Portuguese fairs where people sell al kinds of mountain goods there is also a wide array of music that is performed. The flower torches festival is also on in São Brás de Alportel on Easter Sunday. There is also a huge procession and demonstration on Palm Sunday in Tavira which is not to be missed.
Folar fair
These Folar fairs are popular all around the Algarve over the Easter season as they celebrate life and what the mountains have to offer. My personal favourite is located in Silves as you get the whole mountain experience also the town looks truly stunning in the colours of spring. The Folar fairs also give you a chance to try some of the traditional Easter cakes which strangely have hard boiled eggs on top. This gastronomic experience is not one of the best you can have in the Algarve I must admit but it is still worth giving a shot just too fully get in the Easter spirit.
Flower torches festival
One of the best things about Easter Sunday is the explosion of colour that occurs all around Portugal this can be demonstrated really well in São Brás de Alportel in the flower torches festival. This festival is where people line the streets with a huge array of flowers this spectacle truly is amazing and beautiful and completely exclusive to Easter so what better time to visit the Algarve and throw some colour in your life. This festival celebrates the resurrection of Christ and it does so in a truly beautiful way as people from all over the Algarve line the streets in celebration, the people carry flower torches throughout the streets and the processions can last for a very long time. As a person who loves any festival like this and a traveller who loves the Algarve this cannot be missed.
Tavira
Every year Tavira plays host to one of the best Easter processions anywhere in the Algarve and it is made even more special given the location and the fact that the Algarve is so heavily religious. For this procession the streets are once again lined with flowers however in Tavira the priests and pastors go down the street and pay tribute to Jesus. Even if you are not religious at all I would still recommend visiting as the already friendly people of the Algarve become even more welcoming and friendly during the Easter period.
Easter treats
There are a couple of Easter foods that are exclusive to Portugal, one delicious tradition is the Portuguese Easter pie this is a savoury dish which contains spinach and cheese but trust me when I tell you this is delicious. In the Algarve you also have the previously mentioned Folar cake which is a type of delicious, usually homemade bread with hard boiled eggs in it.
The Portuguese also tend to do well in the meat department as they serve up a variety of meats on Easter Sunday ranging from roasted pig to prepared kid goat. Generally speaking the Portuguese do very well on Easter Sunday with regards to food so if you get a chance to join in on the Easter tradition please do so as you will not regret it.
The highly religious region of the Algarve is the perfect place to spend Easter. What better way to enjoy Easter with your family than in one of the friendliest warmest regions in Europe. If you like religious festivals and the coming together of people then Easter in the Algarve is for you.
Obrigardo and as always happy travels.