History of the Algarve: a brief overview

The Algarve, Portugal’s sun-soaked southern region, is not only famous for its beaches and climate, it also boasts a rich and diverse history spanning over 3.000 years. From ancient Mediterranean traders to Roman conquerors and Moorish rulers, each civilization has left its mark. In this overview, you will discover how the history of the Algarve shaped the culture, architecture, and identity of the region we see today.

A time of Phoenicians, Carthaginians and Romans

The Phoenicians were the first to establish trading posts along the southern coast of Portugal around 1200 BC. A couple of centuries later, the Carthaginians controlled the Algarve. Around 550 BC they founded Portus Hannibalis (currently Portimão). They controlled the region until the Romans conquered it in the 1st century BC. The Romans changed the structure of the region. They developed the production of salt and minerals. The Romans introduced a new type of agriculture, based on huge agricultural estates (latifundia). They also planted vines and olive trees. Furthermore, the Romans built roads, bridges and large villas. Take for example the bridge of Tavira. Nowadays you can still see important Roman ruins in Milreu, Vilamoura and Abicada. The Romans made the country Christian and introduced their language, Latin. Eventually, the Portuguese language developed from Latin.

The end of the Roman Empire and the beginning of Moorish rule

When the Roman Empire fell in the 5th century, the Algarve was occupied by the romanized Visigoths. They secured the Catholic religion in Portugal and built the first churches. Portugal was one of the first Catholic countries in Europe. While the Visigoths were ruling Portugal, the Prophet Mohammed (7th century) proclaimed the Islamic religion in Saudi Arabia. The Islam spread rapidly to North Africa. Not much later, Islamic armies crossed the Straight of Gibraltar in 711 and started to conquer the Iberian Peninsula. These Islamic invaders were called the Moors. They were converted Berbers from North Africa and Arabs.

Islamic influences in the Algarve

The very name Algarve comes from the Arabic Al-Gharb, meaning the west, as it was the westernmost province of the Islamic empire at the time.

The Moorish rule in the Algarve lasted for more than 500 years (711–1250). One of their biggest contributions was agricultural innovation. The Moors introduced new trees and crops to the Algarve, including almond, carob, fig, and pomegranate trees, as well as the first orange trees.

Today, around 1,000 Portuguese words have Arabic roots. Towns whose names start with Al-, Ben-, or Ode- (like Albufeira, Alvor, Benafim, Odeceixe) are reminders of this legacy.

You can still find Moorish influence in architecture: irrigation systems, whitewashed houses, and iconic chimneys all trace back to Islamic styles.

Silves: a Moorish capital

After the fall of the Caliphate of Cordoba in the 11th century, the Algarve became an independent Moorish kingdom with Silves as its capital. The Silves Castle is one of the best-preserved Moorish fortresses in Portugal and stands as a symbol of this rich heritage.

The Reconquista

In the 8th century, a Catholic county emerged in northern Portugal, known as Portucale, named after the towns of Porto and Cale. This county gradually grew in strength and was officially declared an independent kingdom, called the Kingdom of Portugal in 1140. The first King of Portugal, Afonso I, extended the Portuguese territory towards the south, reclaiming land from the Moors. Major victories included the capture of Leiria, Santarém, and Lisbon in 1147. The long series of battles to regain control over the land from the Moors are also known as the Reconquista.

The Siege of Silves

A key moment came during the reign of the second Portuguese king, King Sancho I, who was the son of Afonso I. In 1189, with the aid of Crusaders, Sancho led an expedition from Lisbon to the Algarve and successfully captured Silves, the Moorish capital of the region. This was known as the Siege of Silves. Although the Moors reconquered the city two years later, this campaign marked the beginning of the decline of Islamic rule in the Algarve.

Final integration into Portugal

The Algarve remained under Moorish control for a few more decades. But by the mid-13th century, Portuguese forces completed their conquest of the region, fully integrating it into the Kingdom of Portugal. The Moors’ rule had officially ended.

After the Reconquest

Following the Christian reconquest, settlers from the north moved into the Algarve and established Catholic churches, often by converting former mosques. This was the case in towns like Silves, Faro, Loulé and Tavira. While many Moors remained, living peacefully in rural areas or towns, they were initially granted citizenship and religious tolerance. However, in later centuries, this changed with the rise of the Inquisition, which forced Moors and Jews to convert to Christianity or face expulsion.

By the 13th century, Portugal had secured stable borders that largely match those of today. With no more territory left to reclaim on the Moors, the kingdom shifted its focus outward. After a series of conflicts with Castile, Portugal turned its attention to North Africa, continuing what was seen as an extension of the Christian Reconquista.

The Portuguese conquest of Ceuta

In 1415, a fleet of 200 Portuguese ships set sail from Lagos to seize Ceuta, a powerful fortress city and important trade hub on the Moroccan coast. This was known as the Portuguese conquest of Ceuta. The expedition was led by Prince Henry the Navigator, a key figure in the early days of European exploration. The conquest of this city was a great success for Henry and elevated his status. It marked a turning point in Portuguese history. Henry was later named Duke of Viseu, Governor of the Algarve, and Grand Master of the Knights of Christ. Below, you can see a tile panel depicting Henry the Navigator during the conquest of Ceuta, a historic moment captured in the beautiful azulejos at the São Bento railway station in Porto.

Start of the Age of Discoveries

Henry the Navigator played a crucial role as the organiser of the Portuguese overseas discoveries. His contribution to the history of the Algarve and of Portugal cannot be overstated. Under his guidance, Portuguese sailors began charting and claiming new territories along the African coast. His efforts led to the discovery of important islands in the Atlantic Ocean, including Madeira, the Azores, and Cape Verde.

Even after his death, Portugal continued its North African campaigns, capturing strategic cities such as Tangier, Larache, Arzila, El Jadida, Azamor, and Mogador, laying the groundwork for a global maritime empire.

Expansion and the peak of Portugal’s empire

Although Henry the Navigator laid the foundations of Portugal’s maritime expansion, he passed away before its most significant discoveries took place. In the years that followed:

• Bartolomeu Dias rounded the Cape of Good Hope, opening the sea route to Asia.
• Vasco da Gama successfully reached India in 1498.
• Pedro Álvares Cabral (not Pedro Alves) discovered Brazil in 1500.

These discoveries dramatically changed Europe’s understanding of the world, expanding it more than fourfold. During the 16th century, Portugal controlled trade across Africa, Asia, and Brazil, creating the largest global trading empire of its time. Coastal towns in the Algarve, like Lagos and Tavira, flourished as important trading ports within this network.

Decline after the battle of Alcácer Quibir

The Golden Age of Portugal came to a sudden halt in 1578 with the Battle of Alcácer Quibir. Portugal lost not only its young King Sebastian I (Sebastião I), who disappeared in battle, but also a significant part of its army. Two years later, in 1580, King Philip II of Spain claimed the Portuguese throne, and Portugal entered a 60-year period of Spanish rule.

Under Spanish control, Portugal struggled to defend its empire, especially in Asia. Several colonies were lost to emerging maritime powers, such as the Dutch and the English.

Restoration of independence

In 1640, a revolution began in Lisbon. The people rose up, overthrew the Spanish governors, and soon the rebellion spread across Portugal. The Duke of Braganza was declared King João IV, marking the beginning of Portugal’s fight to restore its independence from Spain.

This conflict, known as the Portuguese Restoration War (1640–1668), lasted 28 years. To defend the country, hundreds of fortresses were built along the Spanish border. In the Algarve, you can still see some of these fortifications today, especially in Castro Marim and Alcoutim. One of the most impressive examples is the fortress city of Elvas in the Alentejo, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical importance and military architecture.

Colonisation of Brazil

The colonisation of Brazil brought large quantities of gold and fine woods to Portugal in the 18th century. This influenced the development of the Portuguese Baroque art, which is characterized by gilt carved wood. You can see this in almost every church in the Algarve.

Earthquake of 1755

The greatest disaster in the history of the Algarve happened on 1st November 1755. On that day, a tremendous earthquake destroyed countless buildings and killed many people. It had a magnitude in the range of 8,5 – 9,0. The earthquake almost completely destroyed Lisbon. It had severe effects on the Algarve as well. Many villages near the beach were affected by the subsequent tsunami, except for Faro (which had protection from the sandy banks of the Ria Formosa). As a consequence, the capital of the Algarve changed from Lagos to Faro after the earthquake.

Modern history of the Algarve

From 1595 to the early 19th century, the Algarve functioned as a semi-autonomous region within Portugal. It had certain privileges, such as its own taxation system, which set it apart from the rest of the country. However, this special status ended in 1808, when administrative reforms brought the region more directly under national control.

During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the Algarve saw a period of economic recovery. The growth of the fish-canning industry played a central role in this, particularly along the coast in towns like Olhão and Portimão. Fishing and agriculture, especially the production of figs, almonds, and carob, were the region’s main sources of income.

From the 1970s onward, the region experienced a major shift as tourism began to flourish. With its sunny climate, scenic beaches, and rich history, the Algarve quickly became one of Portugal’s top travel destinations. Today, tourism is the cornerstone of the Algarve’s economy, supporting jobs in hospitality, services, and real estate, and shaping the region’s modern identity.

The history of the Algarve is full of different stories, shaped by people who explored, ruled, and lived here. You can still see this history today in old castles, churches, and narrow streets, just waiting to be explored.