Algarve Nature Fest Draws Hundreds to Interior Regions
More than half a thousand participants gathered for the Algarve Nature Fest, held on September 26th and 27th in the municipalities of Aljezur and Monchique. This event, organized by Turismo do Algarve, aimed to reinforce the commitment to valuing nature and sustainable tourism in the Algarve region. The primary goal was to highlight the interior territories of the region, challenging the common perception that the Algarve is only about sun and sea.
Festival Highlights and Activities
Despite the cancellation of activities planned for September 28th due to adverse weather conditions, the Algarve Nature Fest 2025 concluded with a very positive balance. It brought together over 500 people in two days of outdoor experiences, confirming the potential of Aljezur and Monchique as authentic and sustainable destinations.
The festival kicked off on September 26th with a program specially dedicated to the school communities of the two host municipalities. Two hundred students had the opportunity to experience activities such as hiking, surfing, kayaking, bicycle rides, and biodiversity observation, learning to value the territory in a practical and fun way.
André Gomes, President of Turismo do Algarve, joined the festival's opening, participating in the interpretive biodiversity walk in Vale das Amoreiras, Aljezur, and the hike "Between Land and Water" in Monchique. He referred to the Algarve Nature Fest as "one of the iconic events of the Algarve. Today we witnessed the joy with which children interact with the environment; on the remaining days, the focus on sustainability shows that the Algarve is much more than sun and sea, being a destination for 365 days a year."
Public Engagement and Diverse Offerings
On September 27th, the festival opened to the general public with about 30 free activities that involved residents and tourists. The diversity of the offerings—from sea to mountain, from waves to jeep safaris, from yoga to diving—led many activities to sell out quickly, revealing the growing demand for active tourism experiences.
On the institutional front, the President of Turismo do Algarve emphasized that "this edition covered two territories, embracing two municipalities unfortunately affected by the problem of fires. Therefore, sustainability was present in 40 actions scheduled for over 500 participants."
Professional and Promotional Aspects
Simultaneously, the event included a professional component that brought together about 100 participants in B2B meetings, fostering strategic partnerships for the sector. It also hosted Fam and Press Trips with international tour operators and foreign media, strengthening the external promotion of the destination.
Commitment to Regional Development
More than just a festival of activities, the Algarve Nature Fest 2025 positions itself as a commitment to the territories of Aljezur and Monchique. It is integrated into the application for the Linha + Interior Turismo – Notice "Regenerate Territories," under the "Communication and Branding Program of the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina," which aims to value the endogenous resources of the municipalities and boost the local economy, in close connection with the communities.
In this context, the festival was also one of the activation moments of the new joint promotional campaign by Turismo do Alentejo and Turismo do Algarve, titled "Ao Natural é melhor" (In Natural is Better), which celebrates the authenticity of the Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina. With Aljezur, Monchique, and Odemira as protagonists, the campaign draws inspiration from the preserved landscape, rooted traditions, and non-digital living that distinguish this territory. The goal is to establish the region as a unique and sustainable destination, capable of attracting visitors who seek to disconnect from the artificial and reconnect with the genuine.
As André Gomes underlines, "the fact that they are interior territories is something we bet on with great conviction. Thus, we draw attention to a plural, diverse, and year-round tourism activity."
Held at the beginning of autumn, the Algarve Nature Fest demonstrated that the Algarve is much more than sun and sea: it is also a destination of nature, active and diversified, that can be experienced throughout the year. Because, after all, "Ao Natural é Melhor."
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