The southern Algarve region is the jewel of Portugal, boasting a breathtaking coastline, epic caves and archways, year-round great weather, and waves that make it a surfers paradise. The surrounding nature will steal your heart, and the charming whitewashed villages are no exception. Spend your days hiking, at the countless beaches, and wandering the cobbled streets in the balmy afternoon sun. Discover our bucket list of things to do in the Algarve.
Our top things to do in the Algarve
1. Cliff walk at Praia da Marinha
Arguably, Marinha Beach is one of the most picturesque beaches we have seen in Portugal; its surrounding cliffs are among the things you must do in the Algarve. The beach is a stretch of soft sand surrounded by limestone cliffs and turquoise waters.
But the real highlight here is the path along the cliffsides giving you jaw-dropping views. Follow a 1.5-kilometer walk where you pass an Arco Natural, the so-called heart-shaped rock, which is actually an optical illusion towards the popular Benagil Cave. We could spend all day here exploring the area’s hidden spots and viewpoints.
Tip: If you’re feeling adventurous, take a kayak to discover Marinha Beach and the Benagil Caves.
2. Algarve’s beautiful beaches
The main reason for visiting the Algarve is the endless number of beautiful beaches (it’s one of the main things that attracted us to this area!). There’s something for every kind of beach lover, from protected coves with limestone caves to long, sweeping white-sand bays.
While the beaches that lie close to Lagos are beautiful for swimming and relaxing, if you’re a surfer, we recommend heading a bit further out of town.
Also see: Complete 3-week Portugal Travel Guide
Praia de Dona Ana
One of the closest beaches to Lagos town, Praia de Dona Ana, is popular with locals and travelers. Itโs a medium-sized yellow sand beach with beautiful, calm turquoise waters shadowed by the Algarves’ token limestone cliffs.
Note: We always forget how cold the ocean is in Portugal! Remember, it’s the Atlantic, not the Mediterranean, so expect a refreshing dip. In our opinion, it’s the absolute best way to wake up.
Because the beach is sheltered and the water is calm, itโs perfect for snorkeling and swimming. Itโs also been described as one of the best beaches in the Algarve (we would definitely agree)!
Praia do Camilo
A bit further up the coast from Dona Ana is the sandy paradise of Praia do Camilo. Discover its crystal clear emerald and turquoise ocean and the incredible rock formations that surround the beach. Over time, the weather has created holes in the cliffs, forming natural tunnels and archways through other beaches.
Did you know? Some years ago, we started to learn about how harmful sunscreen is for our oceans and corals. We put together an informative guide about reef-safe sunscreen here.
Praia do Vau
The city of Portimรฃo has its own set of incredible beaches. These are mostly occupied by locals instead of tourists, and there are many secluded hidden beaches to be found.
Tip: We always ask locals about the best beaches to go to when we arrive at a destination. This way, you can find some real gems away from the crowds!
Albufeira Beach
Besides Albufeira’s good party scene and charming old town, it also has beautiful beaches to offer. Wide beaches with relatively calm waters make for a lovely swim. However, you might want to avoid the high season (June – Aug) as these beaches will be packed with people.
3. A Day Trip to Ferragudo and Carvoeiro
Ferragudo
Ferragudo is a charming fishing village that has kept its traditional charm. Its whitewashed houses, narrow streets covered with flowers, and a fishing boat-filled harbor make it a great place to bring your camera. Ferragudo is a 40-minute drive east of Lagos.
It is also a great place to sit in the sun and enjoy some pastries (Hannah’s favorite thing to do when we’re in holiday mode!). Research the local bakeries before you arrive, and support the residents of Ferragudo by buying a few extras to take home or to the beach.
Also visit: The fairytale palaces and castles of Sintra
Carvoeiro
The picture-perfect village of Carvoeiro lies 10 minutes away from Ferragudo. Its small beach and traditional houses are tucked away between two towering cliffs.
Unlike the more small-town vibe of Ferragudo, Carvoeiro is very lively, with many good restaurants and shops.
Tip: I particularly loved having lunch at Organic. This small, family-run business has a wonderful team of local staff who prepare all the dishes using wholesome, fresh ingredients. It’s a must-visit!
4. Benagil Caves
The otherworldly Benagil Cave is one of the unique places in the Algarve. It was formed by natural erosion, and a worn circle in the ceiling creates a unique light show on the water below.
Visiting the cave is only advisable by water, such as a SUP, which can be rented at the beach or a boat tour (this was one of our favorite experiences on the trip!). Although it’s a very short distance from Benagil Beach, swimming is inadvisable due to quickly changing tides.
Estrada da Praia
Follow the scenic loop named Estrada da Praia. The dirt road takes you along 10 different viewpoints indicated by letters ranging from A to J. The road is only accessible by regular cars and is not allowed to be accessed with a motorhome. We’ve added the exact loop to our Google Maps Locations.
Praia do Amado
Praia do Amado is a huge sweeping bay backed by rolling green hills and earthy red cliffs. The high winds here make it a very popular spot for water sports fanatics, particularly for surfers, with many international surf competitions.
Best of all, its west-facing position means you are in for a spectacular sunset!
Bordeiraโs Beach
Not far away from Praia do Amado lies the stunning 3km long beach of Bordeira. Follow the wooden walkways across the flat cliffs and down to the wide, open beach. Because of its huge size, the beach always feels quiet and secluded.
How to get there: 30 minutes drive from Lagos or 10-minute drive north up the coast from Praia do Amado. We also walked between the two beaches along the coast path, which we highly recommend! It’s a short walk of under an hour, with spectacular views.
6. Discover the Algarve’s surfing culture
The Algarve’s incredible beaches, high winds, and waves make it a hub for all kinds of watersports. The most popular are surfing and kitesurfing, and there are a ton of schools to choose from.
It’s also a great way to spend the afternoon just watching the locals (who are all amazing at surfing!) catch some of Europe’s biggest waves.
On the other hand, the smaller, more protected coves around Lagos have beautiful, calm water, perfect for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. This is a popular way to discover the caves and cliffs that make the Algarve famous. Not only that but there is also the chance of seeing some amazing marine life, like dolphins!
Tip: Whichever watersport you try, please make sure to wear a reef-safe sunscreen.
7. Visit Ponta da Piedade
Ponta da Piedade is one of the most well-known things to do in the Algarve. These rocky cliffs offer breathtaking views across both sides of the coastline, all the way down to Sagres. Enjoy the views, or descend the many steep stairs down to the waterโs edge.
However, we think the best way to admire the rock formations and caves is to see them from the water by joining a boat or kayak tour.
8. Sagres
This tiny but charming surfers’ village Sagres is home to the most southwestern point of Europe. Sagres has a handful of sunbathing beaches, but it has rougher waves at most times of the year due to its location.
At this same location stands the impressive Cabo de Sรฃo Vicente lighthouse. You will also experience some of the most spectacular sunset locations here (book a sunset tour here).
Also read: Lisbon City Trip – Best Things To Do
9. Shop Ceramics
If you don’t know Portuguese ceramics yet, they are beautiful. The designs are a blend of traditional and modern crafts and are available in any kind of color and design. Take gifts or, even better, tableware for your own house. It’s a great way to support local businesses as part of being a sustainable traveler.
Our favorite place is Ceramica Paraiso, which has been around since 1976 and has the most beautiful ceramic items. Note: Take cash with you, as when we visited, there was no option to pay by card. (Jan 2021)
How to visit the Algarve
Faro is the main airport in the Algarve. This is where you will arrive from any international flight to the Algarve. Because of this, you’ll have plenty of transfer options from the airport to your final destination.
To move around the Algarve easily, we highly recommend renting a car or a campervan! A campervan is a great option if you want to save on accommodation and have surfboards or other equipment to carry with you. Read more about how to travel through Portugal by campervan.
We recommend to rent a car in Portugal through Sunny Cars with free cancellation and insurance included. Book your rental car here.
Where to Stay
The Algarve is a traveler’s paradise, especially for the ones who love to surf or spend time at the beach in the European summer. Because of this, there are lots of hostels and guesthouses for a very reasonable price throughout the entire south coast. However, you’ll also find lots of beautiful hotels and resorts with stunning ocean views.
If you have a campervan in Portugal, there are lots of great spots to park on the clifftops outside. We used the park4night app to find all campsites, including reviews and amenities โ it was super useful!
Salema Eco Camp
Discover this absolute campsite gem in the Algarve! We stayed here on our trip and found it genuinely hard to leave (in fact, we kept extending our stay). The Salema Eco Camp is situated within a stunning hill and forest area with a relaxed atmosphere and a fantastic trendy restaurant on site.
Note: It’s advisable to book this campsite in advance as they are usually fully booked throughout the entire year!
How Many Days in the Algarve?
Oneโtwo weeks is the perfect amount of time to explore this stunning region of Portugal. In our opinion, the longer you stay, the better, especially if you’re renting a camper. This gives you enough time to relax, try the various watersports, and try all the best local restaurants!
Check out all the best local events in the Algarve for your trip!
How Much Does the Algarve Cost?
Portugal remains cheaper than other European holiday destinations, although as it increases in popularity, prices are rising. How you budget really depends on the type of trip you’re taking.
For example, although it can be expensive to rent a campervan in high season, you’ll save on accommodation (you’ve got your bed and transport all-in-one). Plus, you can make meals from the back of the camper using local ingredients from the nearby markets. One of our favorite things on this trip was eating outside!
Best Restaurants and Cafes in the Algarve
Portuguese food is delicious, and the Algarve is no exception. You can buy fresh fruit from local markets or eat regional delicacies at family-run restaurants. There’s a big emphasis on wholesome, natural ingredients here, which we love!
Find all locations in our Google MapsFind in our Google MapsBest Time to Visit the Algarve
September/October is the best time to visit the Algarve. Itโs at the end of the main tourist summer season, so things are much quieter and cheaper. This means you can enjoy the beauty of the coastline with few tourists but still have nice warm sunny days.
Alternatively, April and May are great months to visit, too. Be aware, though, that the water in Portugal is pretty cold all year round!
Also read: Best Places to visit in Portugal
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