Perched at the bottom of Europe, Portugal’s Algarve region has a curious edge-of-the-world feel about it. From many points of the region’s breathtaking coastline, you can simply stare out at miles and miles of undisturbed ocean.
The gateway to the Portuguese Algarve, Faro is one of the most popular destinations. With plenty of flights available daily, this year you should experience one of Portugal’s best-loved and beautiful areas for yourself.
The Algarve has magnificent beaches, and resorts with high-quality amenities that retain their historic charm to this day, where you can get some of the freshest and best seafood in Europe. Then, of course, there are the Championship-quality golf courses: some of Europe’s best, these are a major draw.
Much of the fun of Algarve holidays traditionally is found on the incredible beaches, such as the glorious Praia da Marinh. During the day you can soak up the sun by the sea or pool, or try some of the many water sports on offer.
If that gets too much, why don’t you explore some of the region’s culture, by visiting the ancient maritime town of Lagos, or the city of Silves, capital of the Algarve during Moorish rule? At night, there are plenty of bars and nightclubs in towns such as Albufeira, or if you prefer something more peaceful, then why not enjoy dinner and a wander along the marina at Vilamoura?
The Algarve is also the perfect destination for families, with wide, open and safe beaches as well as fun activities away from the coast, such as the exhilarating Slide and Splash Water Park near Lagoa and the beach town of Carvoeiro.
Check out my top tips for visiting the Algarve and start planning a trip today.
Getting to the Algarve
With lots of cheap flights available to the Algarve take the opportunity to explore one of Europe’s most popular holiday destinations.
You can book tickets to Faro with airlines like easyJet and Ryanair who have cheap flights to Faro from UK destinations Birmingham, Manchester, London Gatwick, London Luton and Leeds Bradford, and also several European towns and cities.
I think Skyscanner is the best website to find the cheapest prices, book in-advance for special deals and during June, July and August expect to pay a premium.
Accommodation
These are so many places to stay, from budget. guest housesit luxury. 5-star resorts. My favourite website to use to get the best deals on places to stay is Booking.com. For summer trips, try to book as fast in-advance as possible as rooms fill up quick, and prices get really expensive the closer to summer.
Getting Around
Due to the relatively small size of the Algarve, you can quite easily drive to many different parts of the region from your base in Faro. In fact, renting a car is a great way to explore this part of Portugal.
Book sightseeing tours & attraction tickets on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Best Places to Visit in the Algarve
These are some of the top places to see in the Algarve.
Faro
Most people tend just to fly into Faro, but it is also one of the cheapest places to stay in the region with great transport connections.
Nestled in the very southern tip of Portugal, Faro not only has great beaches and a pumping nightlife, but it’s also ideally located for some unforgettable day trips.
Faro is the perfect destination to explore the very best of the incredible Algarve coast and it is an increasingly popular choice amongst holidaymakers. This is one of the most underrated European cities.
Lagos
Lagos is the liveliest town in the region and is a popular resort to stay and visit. Lagos is approximately one hour’s drive away from Faro, it’s easily reachable by taxi and you can comfortably spend the entire day here.
The main reason to visit Lagos is the beaches and the number of different boat tours that you can take from the port. Some of the main excursions are dolphin spotting trips, grotto tours and trips to the Ponta da Piedade caves. These excursions are highly recommended for anyone visiting Lagos for the first time.
Of course, there are some absolutely stunning beaches here as well. Dona Ana is a particularly scenic and popular beach which is close to a number of other smaller options. Diving and watersports are popular with holidaymakers.
Being one of the biggest towns in the Algarve, Lagos is also home to some of the best restaurants. There are a wide variety of different eateries here, but most restaurants focus on seafood as it is so fresh. For a quality casual lunch, try Vivendo.
For incredible seafood with a French twist, Casa do Pintor is your place. Meanwhile, the Espiche Golf Lagos clubhouse is the ideal eatery for traditional Portuguese food prepared with a modern take.
Sagres
At 80 minutes, Sagres is probably one of the longest places from Faro, but it’s well worth the trip.
The imposing 15th century Fortaleza de Sagres is one of the highlights of the area, but it’s the town’s rugged beaches and coves that draw many here. Generally, you can expect calm sandy expanses protected by looming, dramatic cliffs and the Mareta beach is a great example of this.
This little town is actually the most southerly-western point in all of Europe and it’s worth the trip to see the absolute end of the continent. There are lots of scenic walking and cycling routes, diving and also relatively little tourism.
Sagres has plenty of places to eat and drink, with a large emphasis on Portuguese-style seafood.
Albufeira
A 40-minute drive away from Faro, you’ll find the coastal resort of Albufeira which is popular with tourists due to the beaches, nightlife and quaint old town.
The two main beaches here are Fisherman’s beach and Albufeira beach, which are close to each other. The former is the quieter of the two while the latter is closer to a number of bars and restaurants. For a much more secluded beach, head to Praia da Falesia which is located around 15 minutes away from the town to the east.
The rugged terrain surrounding Albufeira has made it a very popular place for quad bike tours and excursions. There are a number of different operators that offer such a trip and these vary in both length and cost.
Monchique
While the Algarve does have some of the most incredible beaches in Europe, its interior is also well worth a day trip. Monchique, at just an hour’s drive from Faro, is the ideal place to see what the region offers away from the sea and sand.
This tiny little village is located in the Serra de Monchique, the Algarve’s verdant mountainous area, and is ideal for those who like to walk and hike.
If you are after a little pampering, stop off at the nearby Caldas de Monchique. The water here is supposed to have healing qualities which is why a number of spas have been set up in the area. One of the most highly rated is Villa Termal, which offers a number of treatments as well as overnight accommodation and a great restaurant – perfect after a morning of hiking through the foothills of the Algarve.
Monchique is also known for its production of medronho, the strong signature liquor of the area. This fruity brandy is quite unique to the village so make sure you sample it in one of the cafes here. A bottle of this will make a great aperitif, so why not take some home with you?
Lesser Known Local Places to Visit
Ria Formosa Natural Park
Holidaymakers visit the Algarve for the family-friendly resorts, pristine golf courses and seemingly endless sunshine. However, just a few miles from Faro Airport is one of the most amazing places in the region, which sometimes goes criminally overlooked, Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Such is the prestige of this national park, which gained the status in 1987, it was recently elected as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of Portugal and it is easy to see why. Made up of five barrier-islands and two peninsulas it is one of the most fascinating areas to visit in Iberia.
The Ria Formosa is home to some amazing wildlife such as the chameleon, the seahorse and, of course, the Portuguese Water Dog. This canine is a native to the Algarve and was close to extinction just a few decades ago.
Spending a day at this national park will give you a hugely different view of the Algarve.
Tavira
For a taste of the real Portugal, you have to stop in at Tavira, a hidden gem that has managed to escape the tourists. Tavira is one of the oldest and most historic cities in the Algarve. From the centre of Tavira, you can catch the local boat to Ilha de Tavira, an island with beautiful views along the river.
There is also a campsite on the island which offers many activities and events. Tavira is also known for its large number of churches and castles, as well as the stunning Pego do Inferno lagoon with green waters and a free-flowing waterfall.
Guia
Only 40 minutes away from Faro is a city called Guia. If you go to Guia, you will find the best peri-peri chicken in the world!
Aside from its delicious food, Guia is also a celebrity hotspot, with many European A-listers owning holiday houses and luxury villas there. You’ll find lots of authentic tavernas lining the streets of the Old Town and there are a few big shopping complexes on the outskirts if you’re looking to pick up some souvenirs.
Alvor
Once a thriving Roman port, most of the original village of Alvor , as well as Alvor castle, was destroyed by earthquakes in 1532 and 1755. The 16th Century parish church was restored, and the winding stone streets have retained their charm whilst still catering to the locals and tourists with live music bars, restaurants and plenty of shops.
Praia da Rocha
The fort of Santa Catarina at the far east of Praia da Rocha, by the marina, is an ancient battlement which was built by Phillip IV of Spain to protect against Spanish pirates and Moors. It was constructed over a shrine dedicated to Santa Catarina de Alexandria and an early gothic doorway within the fort still remains from this. It was badly damaged by the 1755 earthquake, but has been carefully restored. There is a small café/bar in the fort grounds where you can sip the local beer and take in the scenery from this elevated point.
Carvoeiro
In Carvoeiro, visit the geological wonder of Algar Seco, just east of the resort along the cliff road. Here nature has created a double-deck arch of stone where the upper level now provides a walkway through the cliffside to a narrow balcony over the sea. The lagoon formed by this amazing rock formation is a snorkeler’s delight. Take a boat trip and visit the many beaches that can only be reached from the sea.
Silves
A good day trip is a visit to the historic inland town of Silves where you can explore the exquisite Moorish castle, and wander around its shaded streets, where you’ll find excellent restaurants and chilled out bars.
Alte
Just north of Albufeira is Alte, one of the best-kept and most idyllic villages in The Algarve, where you can wander up the hill to its lovely 16th Century church. From the village centre you have a mere five-minute walk (signposted) to the Fonte Pequena (Little Fountain/Spring) and Fonte Grande (Big Fountain/Spring) this is a local beauty spot where springs flow into shallow canals, beside which are picnic benches, grassy areas perfect for a spot of reflection and relaxation.
Fatima
The miracle of Fatima near Portimao is the area where three shepherd children, who reported seeing the visions of Our Lady the Virgin Mary in 1917 on a hillside near the town of Fatima. These are known as the apparitions and many thousands of pilgrims visit this special place each year.
Activities
These are some of the most popular things to do in the Algarve.
Sailing
Sailing is the part of the fabric of life here, so you’ll find buzzing marinas, as well as yacht trips and sailing cruises galore. You can hire small sailing boats at beach sports centres in many resorts and don’t miss the chance to take a cruise on one of Portugal’s replica ‘caravels’ the traditional, two-masted sailing vessels.
Diving
With its craggy, cave-laced coastline and clear seas, the Algarve offers excellent scuba-diving for both experts and beginners. As well as rich and colourful underwater life, there are also elaborate rock formations, hidden grottoes and even shipwrecks to explore.
Golf
The Algarve has attracted discerning golfers for almost three decades. The main golf season is from late autumn to late spring. Winters are mild and golfers can enjoy warm, sunny days and keep their swings in the groove when their home courses are unplayable.
Despite southern Portugal’s appealing sunshine, rain does fall from time to time and nearly all of it during the main golfing season. Most courses are within 20 kilometers of the coast, but their terrain varies dramatically. The Algarve offers everything from challenging steep hillsides to coastal flat courses and links holes.
Vilamoura has several top notch courses including Vilamoura Old Course, Pinhal and Vila Sol. Other interesting courses conveniently placed near resorts are Salgados, near Armacao de Pera, Palmeres, near Alvor, Gramacho, near Carvoeiro and Laguna, near Vilamoura.
Local Activities
Walking holidays are popular, especially around Monte Gordo, mainly due the flat terrain in the area. Most resorts provide some sports facilities with the marina at Vilamoura the place to go for a spot of sailing.
Best Day Trips & Places to Visit Near to the Algarve
Ayamonte
From Faro, it’s quite easy to head over to neighbouring Spain for some traditional tapas and sangria. Drive over the River Guadiana to Spain. The Guadiana International Bridge is magnificent. Make sure you have tapas for lunch in Ayamonte, only 45 minutes from Faro.
Spend the day in this undiscovered little Andalucian town, walking around the wide Plaza de Laguna, shopping at the indoor market and even venturing down to the nearby Isla Canela beach for a few hours of Spanish sun and sand.
Lisbon
The Portuguese capital Lisbon is surprisingly within reach from Faro, and is well worth the day trip to see iconic sights such as the Belém Tower, Jeronimos Monastery and St George’s Castle. To get there take the Alfa Pendular high-speed train that runs at least twice a day between Faro and Lisbon. The journey takes around 2.5 hours and costs €40 return per person. View more of my Lisbon travel tips.