When people come to Portugal, there are usually just three places they are looking to visit: Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. But the Algarve is not a city like Lisbon and Porto. It is a whole region full of amazing things to do. There are lots of beaches to comb, water sports to enjoy, small villages with quaint narrow streets to explore, historic castles and churches, and amazing restaurants to try. There is something for just about everyone in the Algarve.
What is the Algarve?
The Algarve, located in southern Portugal, is full of golden beaches, pleasant weather, golf facilities, charming towns, outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and delicious cuisine. This makes it a highly appealing tourist destination for both national and international visitors. The region in southern Portugal has an extensive coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. The total length of the Algarve coast is approximately 155 kilometers (96 miles) and stretches from the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António in the east, near the border with Spain, to Odeceixe in the west.
Along this beautiful coastline you experience a mix of long sandy beaches, rocky coves, dramatic cliffs, and picturesque bays and inlets. Some of the most famous beaches in the Algarve include Praia da Marinha, Praia da Rocha, Praia do Camilo, and Praia da Falesia, among many others.
The west coast of the Algarve, from Sagres to Odeceixe and the Atlantic Ocean, is part of the Southwest Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, known for its rugged beauty and biodiversity. It is also rather diverse in its development. The central coast, around Albufeira and Vilamoura, is more developed with numerous hotels, resorts, and tourist facilities. But the eastern Algarve coast, near the Spanish border, is generally less crowded and more tranquil.
How long in the Algarve? Is it a day trip from Lisbon?
Remember how I said a week in the Algarve wasn’t quite enough? I still stand by that but you can hit all the highlights in a week. Many people think they can come and do a day trip from Lisbon. NO YOU CANNOT. You would spend all of your time driving or riding a bus/train and wouldn’t see anything. You can pop into Lagos or Faro maybe for a night or two but you would be more exhausted from traveling and it would be hard to appreciate the beautiful beaches for just two days. I suggest a minimum of 4 nights if you are coming and planning on seeing more of Portugal.
Getting to the Algarve
If you are coming from the US or another country, you could easily fly into Faro. They have a very busy airport and taxis ready to pick you up and drive you to your destination. By car, it takes about 3 hours from Lisbon, by train about three hours using the Alfa Pendular high speed train, or you can take a bus that takes about 3 1/2 hours. The bus is the cheapest option, of course, but the longest. The train trip is very scenic and has free wifi as does the bus.
Things to do in the Algarve (by sections)
Since the Algarve is a large region and not just one place, I broke this up into sections starting at the easter border with Spain and moving west.
Vila Real de São António and the Spanish Border
On the eastern border of Portugal is the village of Vila Real de São António. The only thing that separates Portugal and Spain here is the Guadiana River. While relatively small, Vila Real de Santo António offers a charming blend of history, natural beauty, and a relaxed coastal atmosphere, making it an attractive destination for those seeking an authentic and laid-back experience in the Algarve region.
Take a walk around Praça Marques de Pombal, the main square and stroll down the boardwalk to take in the magnificent views. If you are feeling up to it, there are several ferries that can take you across the river to explore Ayamonte or Seville, just make sure you take your passport.
The town of Castro Marim and the castle (Castelo de Castro Marim) are located close by and is an excellent way to spend a day learning about the area during Roman and Moorish times. The Forte de São Sebastião was built there to defend Portugal against Spain right after the earthquake of 1755 that destroyed Lisbon which offer spectacular views of the beaches and ocean.
Tavira
Tavira was one of our favourites for a day trip from Faro. We loved walking around the historic centre, checking out the shops and visiting the Roman bridge (Ponte Romana) that crosses the Gilão River. You can also visit the Castelo de Tavira, built in the 11th century and offers amazing views of the city and the Ria Formosa.
If you are looking for a great beach getaway, try the Ilha de Tavira, an island in the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa. It is a huge white sand beach and the perfect place to do some windsurfing and kitesurfing or to just sit and relax.
Make sure you check out O Castelo and à do Peixe for restaurants. O Castelo is located in the historic centre close to the castle but they are super small and require reservations. à do Peixe is a restaurant we stumbled across and is traditional Portuguese food. The wait staff did not speak much English but the food was amazing! They specialise in grilled seafood.
Faro and Olhão
Faro is close to the middle of the Algarve and has an airport so it is considered the capital city of the region. We decided to stay there because it was an excellent base for exploring nearby towns. But Faro has a great deal to offer in activities.
Make sure you visit Faro’s Old Town. The charming town with its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and the iconic Arco da Vila gateway make you feel as though you have stepped back in time. The Arco da Vila is one of the few remaining structures from the Moorish era when Faro was under Islamic rule. It has become an iconic symbol of Faro and the Algarve region, representing the city’s multicultural past and the blending of Moorish and Portuguese influences.
The Faro Cathedral is an impressive cathedral that dates back to the 13th century and features a blend of architectural styles, including Gothic and Renaissance elements. There is a tower to climb to get great views of the Ria Formosa and Faro Old Town and also a small Capela dos Ossos (chapel of bones) in the back garden of the church.
The Parque Natural da Ria Formosa (Ria Formosa Natural Park) is a stunning coastal lagoon system and protected wetland area by hundreds of barrier islands. It is also a perfect place for bird watching. The Algarve is known to be a resting place for migratory birds such as storks. You see their nests everywhere. There are many boat tours just for bird watching and sight seeing. There are also many sandy beaches and islands in the area that you can explore. The best way to explore the park is from a boat.
We also enjoyed walking around Faro. It has a lovely marina with bars and places to sit and have a drink and enjoy the view. There is a shopping district located close to Old Town and has many great restaurants. We highly recommend ATO Restaurant. They have a changing menu daily depending on the availability of ingredients and also a small dining area, so reserve your table in advance.
The nearby village of Olhão is picturesque fishing town about 10 km from Faro and features a lively market, traditional cubist-style architecture, and excellent seafood restaurants.
Albufeira, Carvoeiro, Algo Seco
Headed west from Faro, stretch some of the most beautiful beaches and wonderful small towns.
Albufeira is one of the most popular tourist towns because it is known for its nightlife and golfing resorts close by. But it also caters to families having many resorts with theme parks, water parks and kid-friendly activities.
If you love hiking, you will absolutely want to hike the Percuso do Sete Vales Suspensos (7 Hanging Valleys Trail) which is just 8km outside of Carvoeiro. This trail stretches from Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centeanes. It covers about 7.5 miles out and back again along the top of the cliffs and offers some of the most spectacular views of the rock formations and the azure sea.
Both Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes are great beaches for water activities or just enjoying the sun. Praia da Marinha or Marinha Beach is the perfect spot to sit and watch the ocean, see the famous M rock formations, and work on your tan. The only access to the beach is by car and down a set of steps. Make sure to go at low tide so that you don’t get wet trying to get to the beach. If you are unable to drive the 8km, Praia do Carvoeiro is a small beach, but a perfect place to take a break.
Make sure you take a trip out to see the famous Benagil Cave. It is very worth it if you are on the right boat–or don’t mind getting too wet. We went on a bigger boat which made the ride from Portimão smoother but there were many on the boat and the views were limited. You can take smaller boats but the rides are rougher and you are likely to get wet. If you do take a small boat, take it from Carvoeiro or as close to Benagil as you can.
You may also be able to take a kayak excursion depending on the weather and time of year. The beaches at Benagil are a popular spot in the summer season and can get rather crowded. At one point the kayak trips were cancelled due to the level of danger of getting in and out of the caves. There are many boats out there and it is hard to manoeuvre safely.
You can hike to the caves and view the beach through the top hole, but the only way to get to the beach is by water. It is one of Portugal’s must-see places but be aware that it makes it quite crowded. Going in the winter months is a great option, but can be rather cold.
Lagos and Portimão
The Algarve is known to have some of the best beaches in the world and the Lagos/Portimão area does not disappoint.
Praia da Rocha, located about 3km from the center of Portimão, is considered one of the iconic beaches of the Algarve region, renowned for its natural beauty and great amenities. Its long stretch of golden sandy beach is backed by tall rust-colored cliff faces and rock formations, creating a dramatic and scenic setting. At low tide, there are small cave-like formations and rock pools that become accessible along the cliff base.
The beach can be reached by road or a waterfront promenade and offers various amenities like restaurants, bars, shops, and beach rentals for umbrellas and loungers. If you are into water sports like jet skiing, banana boat rides, and paragliding, these are popular activities at Praia da Rocha.
There is also a historic fortress called Fortaleza da Santa Catarina situated on the headland overlooking the beach. Praia da Rocha has been awarded the Blue Flag certification for its high quality and meeting environmental standards which makes it a premium beach!
Lagos is also the one of the top places to stay if you love water sports. There are kayak tours and boat trips that will take you out to explore the rock formations and sea caves along the coast. You can also partake in surf lessons and for younger children, there are many water slides and water parks in the area.
Lagos also has great beaches to visit to just sit and relax. Praia Dona Ana is considered one of the best beaches in Portugal with its golden sand and crystal clear waters. You can visit Praia do Camilo, a cove accessible by climbing down some wooden stairs through the cliffs. But if you are looking for just a nice beach to sit on and enjoy the surf, Praia de São Roque is a great and Praia da Batata is lined with restaurants which makes it a great place for families.
Sagres and Saleme
The whole peninsula west of Lagos is a National Park and Salema is pretty much the last city until you get to Sagres Town. Salema is known as a fishing village but relies more on tourism these days to bring in money. Salame is not as big as the other Algarve towns and has a very laid back atmosphere. If you are looking for a more authentic portuguese experience in the Algarve, this is probably as close as you will get.
Just like many of the other Algarve cities, they have a lovely beach (Praia de Salema) and offer water sports such as kayaking, SUP and surfing lessons. The views over the cliffs are amazing and the village is just plain charming.
Make sure you take a trip out to Cabo de São Vicente (Cape St. Vincent) in Sagres to see the lighthouse. Here you have reached the southwestern most point in Europe! The Atlantic Ocean will let you know just how big it is. This point also marks the end of the Caminho Português pilgrimage trail.
Planning your Trip
The Algarve does stretch the width of Portugal but it is not far from one city to another. It is very easy to base yourself in a city and venture out somewhere else. We based ourselves in Faro and were able to take day trips to Tavira, Fuzeta, Portimão, and Lagos. If we were planning on exploring the area in detail, we would recommend basing yourself in a city close to the activities you want to do.
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Shelley is a full time traveler, blogger and podcaster currently living in Portugal with her wife, 2 dogs and a cat. She is a former history teacher originally from Winston-Salem, NC but wanted to see what life was like abroad. Now she travels all over Portugal and Europe writing about what she sees and does and tells you all kinds of fun stories on the podcast at Wandering Works for Us.