Blending tradition and modern-day adventure, two events take place this coming weekend: the Algarve Orange Festival and the Arade Challenge.
The Algarve Orange Festival
As the Algarve’s orange groves burst with ripe fruit, Silves’ annual Orange Festival opens for the ninth year on February 14. This festival pays homage to the region’s agricultural heritage and the beloved orange, a symbol of prosperity and vitality in this part of Portugal.
Visitors can indulge in a variety of orange-themed delicacies and enjoy the International Cocktail Competition – all showcasing the versatility of this humble fruit. And of course, there will be a variety of traditional music and dance performances.
The festival offers seminars on orange cultivation and traditional farming techniques plus one that looks at how climate change affects citrus farming together with practical solutions.
In the restaurants of Silves, the orange will also be the queen with a Taste of Orange kicking off on February 13. Those taking part in the initiative will present creative and diverse dishes where the Silves orange takes centre stage. For more information click here.
The 2025 Arade Challenge
Meanwhile, adrenaline enthusiasts will enjoy the Arade Challenge, an annual event that tests participants’ endurance and skill against the backdrop of the stunning Arade River.
This multi-sport challenge combines swimming, running and canoeing.
Participants begin the challenge with the swimming events at Lagoa’s municipal pools on Saturday, February 15, at 2.30pm. Race distances will vary by age group: competitors in the Under-14 and Masters 55+ categories will swim 200 metres, while those in the Under-18, Absolutes (open to all ages) and Masters 40-54 categories will swim 300 metres.
The competition continues Sunday, February 16, at 9.30am with the running events at the Castores do Arade in Mesilhoeira da Carregação. Under-14 and Masters 55+ athletes will complete a 1,500-metre course, while the other categories will cover a challenging 3,000-metre distance.
At 11.00am on the same day, participants will take to the water for the canoeing segment. The youngest and oldest competitors will paddle 2,500 metres, whilst the remaining groups will push their limits over a 5,000-metre stretch of the scenic Arade River.
Each stage will test those taking part, with the challenge bringing together athletes of all ages in the heart of the Algarve’s beautiful countryside.
Algarve is not just sun, sea and sand – these events showcase two other Algarve facets. While the Orange Festival celebrates the region’s agricultural roots and culinary delights, the Arade Challenge highlights its inland landscapes and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Image: Shutterstock | Paulo Nabas