Picture this, a beautiful setting on the Algarve coast on a golden sand beach with sunshine, delicious seafood and sangria. Then add to that the spirit of House with like-minded individuals, pool and boat parties, club nights and exclusive beach club events. Sound good? It was! Deep in the Algarve was pretty epic, to say the least, and is a new Algarve festival to add to the list.
Deep in the Algarve Festival was scheduled to take place in 2020, so it was long overdue but well worth the wait, exceeding expectations. Credit to the promoter, KJ, for an impressive first year despite many unavoidable setbacks.
Soul Fusion
KJ has been running the Soul Fusion brand since 2009. The brand has popular club nights in Birmingham roughly every quarter, with DJs on rotation playing a selection of soulful, deep and underground house.
As far as the festival goes, It’s always nice to try something new, and it was great to be a part of Deep in the Algarve’s first year. There was a crowd of lovely like-minded people who were there not only to party and bask in the sun but also to support the promotor, who we know has had a tough few years organising this event given all that was happening in the world. Despite this, he has kept all his “fusioneers” updated regularly, offering a personal touch on social media platforms and ultimately delivering a stellar event.
Location
The festival site is on a scenic clifftop setting at Prainha Clube in Alvor. The Algarve is famed for its coastline of golden sand beaches, and this is the perfect location by the sea.
The venue is just a 15-minute walk from the supermarket, 2 km from the small fishing village of Alvor, and 5 km from Portimão. The closest airport is Faro which is 75 km away and about an hour’s drive. Transfer coaches are available through Deep in the Algarve. Alternatively, Uber cost between €60 – €70. Depending on your time of arrival, buses are available from the airport (approx. €7) but only go to Portimão, where you can take an Uber or taxi.
Facilities onsite include tennis courts, three swimming pools, four restaurants, a supermarket and 24-hour reception. Access to an impressive stretch of sandstone beach is via the elevator through Canico restaurant or the stairs.
More about the Festival
Deep in the Algarve runs for a week from the last Friday in April through the first week in May and offers pool and boat parties, club nights and a luxurious beach club venue in Portimão. There was supposed to be a beach party on-site, but Mother Nature decided otherwise, as the full moon meant the tide came in. Instead, the party moved to NosoloAgua beach bar and club at the marina in Portimão.
No complaints here. NosoloAgua is an exclusive beach bar with a prime location practically on the beach. It has a feeling of luxury upon entering and stylish surroundings with day beds and views of the beach and sea. It’s perfect for chilling on one of the beds with a cocktail in hand or dancing in/around the pool. Whatever you choose to do, it’s a vibe. The party continues into the night as you move indoors to the club area.
Club nights and boat parties
As well as club nights at NosoloAgua, there was a themed all-white club night in Portimão and a night out at various venues in Alvor town. There were two boat parties at an extra cost, which stop if you fancy a dive in the biting Atlantic ocean and pool parties on site.
There seem to be endless festivals to choose from nowadays, but with times not so easy, there are not many I would take a gamble on. That said, knowing the brand and the setting, there was no doubt it would be good, but given this was the first year, it was excellent. Well done, KJ! Deep in the Algarve is the right balance of party, pool, beach and explore.
Also notable is that in addition to the international DJs, which this year included the likes of Spen, Soul Dynamic Rocco and Opolopo, to name a few, there was a long list of first-class UK homegrown talent. These included but were not limited to Sy Sez, The Journey Men, Sean McCabe, Wez Whynt, Brother James, C’amille Cee, Lord Byron and the man himself, KJ.
There’s a free day during the week to take excursions and tour the area. Being early in the festival calendar and slightly out of season means that flights are reasonable and tours are not so crowded, allowing for a more enjoyable experience. Local attractions include Benagil Cave which is a must-see. The time of year also means it can get chilly in the evening, so bear in mind when packing.
What did you think about the accommodation?
Prainha Clube offers studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments with pool or sea view and townhouses and villas (some with private pools) for larger groups.
There is additional accommodation offsite at a nearby hotel for those wanting to attend for the weekend.
I stayed in a one-bedroom pool-facing apartment. The apartments are of a good standard, well equipped, very spacious, and offer value for money. The balcony means you can also catch the vibes downstairs at the pool party. The kitchen has a toaster kettle, microwave, hob, plenty of cutlery and plates etc. if you want to self-cater.
If you’re on your own, that’s no problem as plenty of solo travellers attend, and KJ can match you with others looking to share.
Overall
The footage speaks for itself, and with such a successful first year, everyone’s going to want to jump on it, so you better book quickly. See you poolside next year.
Book Deep in the Algarve Festival
