A guide to visiting the Algarve, Portugal
Crystal blue waters and beaches straight from of a postcard await you along the south coast of Portugal. Whether you’re a nature lover, a beach goer or you are simply looking for destination to relax and unwind, the Algarve will not disappoint. With dramatic coastlines, charming historic towns, fresh seafood, and did I mention, yes truly stunning beaches, the Algarve is a destination perfect for those who love to explore or want to relax in equal measure.
My name is Emily and I have been solo travelling for the best part of six years. I enjoyed a three day vacation in the Algarve in May and I left completely blown away by the experience. Words cannot express just how beautiful the Algarve is and I absolutely plan to return. I’m excited to share my travel guide, which aims to give you all the help and inspiration you need to plan your own visit to the south coast of Portugal. In this guide I will share the top places I visited, along with recommendations for how to get around, where to stay and more. Are you ready? Let’s dive in!
how to get around THE ALGARVE
The Algarve is located along the southern coast of Portugal and has one major airport ‘Faro Airport’. If you plan to visit the Algarve from Lisbon, you can take a train from Lisbon’s Oriente Station to Faro which will take just under three hours. The best way to get around the Algarve and enjoy it to its full potential is to hire a car, especially to reach the more remote or less accessible locations. I recommend using a local car hire site called Amoita which includes collection and drop off at Faro Airport, along with other major towns in the Algarve. The Algarve is well connected by major highways and it does not take long to drive from the eastern side to the west - from Faro to Lagos it only takes one hour to drive.
If however you don’t know how to drive or are not confident to drive, don’t worry as you can absolutely visit the Algarve without a car. From Faro Airport there are good connections to the Algarve by taxi, shuttle, or bus. Uber does operate in the Algarve too. I would also recommend enjoying a selection of tours with GetYourGuide which will often include pick up and transport from your hotel.
Where to stay in THE ALGARVE
If you are planning to stay for a short period in the Algarve, I would recommend opting for a central location so you can enjoy seeing the sites without spending too much time on the road. I stayed in Balaia Mar Hotel just outside of the resort town of Albufeira, which was quiet, had great facilities including two swimming pools, and was a short walk away from Praia Maria Luísa beach. If I were to return for a short trip, I would stay in the town of Portimão, which has a charming old quarter, thriving marina, great beaches and is still accessible to other areas of the Algarve. More about Portimão later…
If you plan to spend at least a week in the Algarve, then I would recommend dividing your stay between the west, central, eastern area. Luckily there are several destinations I can recommend for you to stay, but you have to keep reading to find out more.
TOP places TO SEE THE ALGARVE
LAGOS & PONTA DA PIEDADE
Located in the western side of the Algarve, Lagos is one of those must see locations and a place I would recommend staying if you are planning a longer visit to the area. Lagos is in fact one of the oldest cities in the Algarve and was a personal favourite of mine. The highlight of Lagos is the historic centre, which has a relaxed surfer vibe with a thriving cafe and brunch culture. Get lost in the maze of cobbled streets and take in the old tile fronted townhouses and colourful street art murals on ever corner. You will also find plenty of small independent shops and art galleries here for the perfect souvenir. If you love a good coffee, make sure to try The Studio coffee shop and enjoy their brunch menu too.
On the edge of the historic centre you will find the Forte de Ponta da Bandeira (old fortress), Gate of Saint Gonçalo and remains of the old city walls that are well worth a visit. São Sebastião Church offers a unique experience where inside you will find Bone Chapel - yes, a chapel made from human skeletons! Once you have explored the historic centre, you can take a stroll to the marina and enjoy dining by the waterfront at the numerous restaurants and bars here.
Once you have enjoyed exploring the town, it’s time to head to the coast and to take in of the Algarve’s must see natural wonders - Ponta da Piedade. You can either walk from Lagos starting at Pinhão Beach, take a taxi or drive to the free public car park. On arrival at the parking you will find the boardwalks or pathway which will take you all the way to southern most point, taking in views of the stunning rocky coastline and crystal blue waters. You will pass by a lighthouse with a restaurant if you fancy refreshments or a bathroom break. When you reach the southern most point you can make your way down steps to the waters for a swim and take in the stunning views along the way.
Portimão
We stopped late afternoon in the city of Portimão and ended up staying for dinner to enjoy the atmosphere of the old quarter and the marina. Portimão is the second largest city in the Algarve and is an ideal place to stay as it is in a central position along the coast. Here you can stroll the cobblestone streets of the old quarter, enjoy visiting local shops, enjoy a coffee alfresco in the town square and eat delicious sea food at the many restaurants here. We ate at this great restaurant called Taberna de Portimão which is known for having live music and entertainment, as well as quirky interior decoration. Praia da Rocha beach is one of the star attractions and rightfully so, so make sure to take your beach stuff with you.
Benagil Cave
Probably the most iconic natural wonder in the Algarve, don’t miss the chance to see the impressive Benagil Sea Cave. I highly recommend seeing the cave from the water by taking either a boat tour or guided kayak tour, so you can get up close and see inside the cave. Due to conservation, it is not possible to physically step inside anymore and access it only permitted by kayak or boat. I enjoyed a boat trip which took in 15 different sea caves including Benagil with GetYourGuide. It was one of the highlights of my entire trip!
ALGARVE’S BEACHES
Of course no trip to the Algarve is possible without spending time enjoying its many beaches. Living in the south of Spain, I love a good beach and the Algrave boasts some of the most beautiful I’ve seen. Here are the beaches I managed to visit during my trip, but honestly there are so many it’s impossible to see them all.
Praia de Falésia - when I visited in May there was hardly a soul around! I loved the contrasting orange rock against the golden sands and crystal blue waters here. There is a small beach bar with public toilets here and free street parking nearby.
Praia da Marinha is the most popular and well known beach (it became famous after being a Microsoft desktop screensaver for many years) and it draws in big crowds. I recommend arriving early to enjoy the beach before the crowds hit. Access is only possible down a steep stairway so bear this in mind before visiting.
Praia Nova & Praia Nossa Senhora da Rocha are two beaches side by side that are in fact connected by an old fisherman’s tunnel in the cliffs (if you are brave enough you can walk through but it gets narrow and low in places). These beaches are either side of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Rocha perched on top of a cliff which is also worth seeing.
TAVIRA
If you like to visit charming towns away from the crowds with heaps of character and history, then look no further that Tavira. I regret not spending more time in this historic town located east of the Algarve. Positioned on the Gilão River, Tavira truly is an escape from the resorts and busy seaside towns and feels more authentically Portuguese. Enjoy strolling across the Roman Bridge and visiting the historic centre, which is scattered with tiled covered buildings complete with pretty floral decoration, and cobblestone streets (Rua Dr. Augusto da Silva Carvalho is a must see) lined with independent shops.
A visit to the Moorish Castle ruins is a must, with it’s beautiful walled garden and incredible views overlooking the town. You can also visit the nearby church of Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo and climb the bell tower for more great views. Tavira is in fact spoilt for churches and the most impressive to see inside is Igreja da Misericórdi. The interior is lined with stunning blue and white tiles, an ornate ceiling and impressive baroque style altar. If you want a break from the sun, make sure to enjoy a refreshment in the Pousada Convento de Tavira, a quiet courtyard of the 16th-century St. Augustine’s Convent which is now a hotel but open to the public.
And of course there are beaches you can enjoy in Tavira - but you need to catch a ferry to visit. Ilha de Tavira (Tavira Island) is home to stunning white sand beaches including Praia da Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril, with a selection of restaurants and beach bars to enjoy. The ferry is just €2.20 for a return ticket and it runs every 30 or 60 minutes depending on the time of year.
BEST OF THE REST
Best place to eat - If you want to try traditional Portuguese meat or seafood, you have to check out Restaurant Bar Lagosteria between Vilamoura and Albufeira. It has a beautiful outdoor terrace and indoor seating with fantastic service.
Enjoy a Salt Bath - Unwind at the Salt Baths near Castro Marim in the Ria Formosa Natural Park in the east of the Algarve. The area has a long history of being home to the salt trade and today you can visit a wellness centre where an old salt pan has been transformed into a bathing area. Here you can actually float on the warm and salty waters and also enjoy other treatments, including a salt mud facial with clay that contains 80 different minerals. The baths are open during the summer season and all information can be found on their Facebook page.
Enjoy a sunset BBQ on the beach - If you are looking for a social experience with food and live music on one of the Algarve’s beautiful beaches, check out this great tour with GetYourGuide
Thank you for reading my guide to visiting the Algarve in Portugal. I hope you enjoyed discovering this beautiful destination and that you found it useful. If so, please leave your feedback in the comments section below or reach out to me on Instagram
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Planning a getaway to the Algarve? Then check out my travel guide for visiting the south coast of Portugal. This stunning coastline has so much to offer, with activities for nature lovers, beach goers, foodies and those wanting to soak up some culture. Let’s dive in and discover the best of what the Algarve has to offer!