Portugal is renowned for several things: sunshine, beautiful nature, and incredible food. But with its exceptional fish and meat specialities, Portugal isn't particularly famous for its vegan-friendly options.

Beyond the classic omelettes, salads, and maybe a pizza or two, those following a plant-based diet have struggled to find their needs catered for in the Algarve. All that seems to have changed in recent years.

In a study this month that looked at 100 locations in Portugal where you can find the most vegan or vegetarian-friendly spots to grab a bite, 5 places in the Algarve featured in the top 20.

According to data from HappyCow, a community and guide for places to eat vegan and vegetarian food, Portugal's food scene is becoming more and more welcoming for vegans and vegetarians.

In the Algarve, the popular towns of Lagos, Albufeira, Faro, Portimão, and Tavira were the top destinations for veggie lovers. Unsurprisingly, Lisbon leads the way with 560 places that cater to vegans and vegetarians, followed by Porto (246) and Funchal (128).

While day-to-day living in general is cheaper in inland areas, the traditional lifestyle is often more challenging for expats, especially those with specific diets.

This was especially notable in the HappyCow study where, with the exception of Évora, the Alentejo didn't prove to be particularly vegan-friendly.

It's no wonder, then, that the Algarve continues to be the destination most beloved by expats, especially those looking to spend more time in the region. Speak with the team at Algarve Home Sales for more information on buying in the Algarve.