These are Lagoa, Vila Real de Santo António, Loulé, Albufeira, Silves, Lagos and Olhão.
A series of concerts and performances are to be held in the cities to celebrate the unusual music, which can more often be heard in bazaars, medinas and palaces in exotic places.
The pioneering festival, which pays tribute to the Algarve’s Moorish influence, is now in its 18th consecutive year.