The Algarve region of Portugal is one of the best vacation destinations in all of Europe. With limestone cliffs and white sand beaches, it’s no wonder that European and international tourists flock to the southern Mediterranean coast of Portugal to have a relaxing beach vacation. Whether you curl up at a luxury coastal resort or decide to stay in a charming sea view condo, there is plenty to do. Keep reading for the best things to do in the Algarve for inspiration to pack your vacation days full of fun activities – or just get recommendations for our favorite Algarve beaches.
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Visit The Beach
The Algarve is home to some of the best beaches in Europe. And for a fraction of the cost of some of the other beach destinations (I’m talking about you southern France). While the price tag of an Algarve vacation is at a discount price, don’t think the beaches are anything less than amazing. You could pick any of them and have an amazing beach day. However, we have a short list of the best beaches in the Algarve below.
Marinha Beach
Marinha Beach consistently gets ranked on shortlists of the world’s best beaches. This beautiful beach is located along the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail. The beach also has a large parking lot with food vendors selling beach snacks. On the actual beach, there is a small restroom and snack shack area.
The beach is completely walled in by towering limestone cliffs. The cliffs shelter the beach from the wind and large waves. Swimming is nice here when the water is warm. Even if the water isn’t warm, as long as the sun is out you’ll have a comfortable beach going experience.
Camilo Beach
Camilo Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve and it is our favorite. This beach is located along the Ponta da Piedade boardwalk. To get to it you have to walk down hundreds of steps. But once on this sheltered beach, the cliffs and the sea stacks make for a great backdrop to your beach day. On the beach is a snack shack and there is parking nearby.
Falésia Beach
This beaches badlands-like cliffs make this a truly unique beach. Falésia beach is popular for surfers and beach goers. It is in a very high end area of the Algarve with all the associated high-end restaurants and shops nearby.
Bordeira Beach
This beach is famous for surfing but it is a great place for a beach day. There are massive sand dunes on this beach that make it fun for the family. Additionally, there is a great overlook with expansive views. On the beach there is a small snack shack that also rents beach equipment.
Go Surfing
In addition to spending the day lounging on the beach, you could spend your days learning to surf in one of the most popular surf destinations in the world. While you may not be ready for the famously massive waves in Nazaré, there are plenty of beaches in the Algarve that host surfing lessons for the beginners. Check out these surf lessons below.
Visit the Atlantic Coast
While the beaches on the Mediterranean coast are calm and great for swimming and relaxing, the power of the Atlantic Coast beaches is something worth seeing. These beaches are all about the dramatic viewpoints and the overwhelming waves. A walk along one of these beaches will be well worth your time.
Sagres – The End of the World
The fort at Sagres sits on the southwestern most point of Portugal. It’s a quick stop to see the fort. Additionally, you can visit the exterior of the Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse. Both of these stops were once the markers at the end of the known world and looking into the dark blue ocean it’s easy to believe that there is nothing else beyond these points.
Ponta da Piedade
The hike to Ponta da Piedade is one of our favorite things to do in the Algarve. This short hike from Lagos to the peninsula to the south of town takes you to several beautiful beaches, along cliff tops with golden sea stacks in the distance. At the end of the hike, you’ll have the option of walking down to the sea line to explore the sea carved grottos.
Lagos
The town of Lagos is our favorite city in all of Portugal and one of the best places to visit in the Algarve. Lagos is so charming and welcoming. Old town Lagos is a great place for a stroll. Don’t miss a trip to the town square to see so of the live performers that perform regularly through the streets. In addition to the old town area, there is also the marina area which is newer but still a fun place to visit. Between the marina and old town, you’ll also find the old town fortress which is free to walk around.
Silves
The town of Silves is another charming stop and one of the best places to visit in the Algarve. In town, explore the castle and the remains of the fortress walls. The old towns narrow wandering streets are filled with old charm and history.
Additionally, don’t miss the Silves Castle. This castle was built in the first century by the Moors and Romans. Today it is incredibly well preserved. You can walk the castle walls to see the tops of Silves and visit ongoing archeological excavations and learn about the history of the area.
Algar Seco
The rocks of Algar Seco is one of the most unique places to visit in Portugal and one of the best things to do in the Algarve. The cliffs, stairs, and grottos of Algar Seco are carved by the sea and by human hands over centuries. There are caves, steps, grottos, and pools along the seaside. Exploring Algar Seco involves lots of cliff climbing, some cliff jumping, and a whole heap of fun. It’s like a little naturally made amusement park by the sea.
Seven Hanging Valleys Hike
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is one of the best things to do in the Algarve for the outdoor adventure lover. Plus, the hike is relatively easy as it runs over flat ground. Additionally, if “easy” didn’t have you sold, it also visits some of the best beaches in the area including Marinha Beach.
Benagil Cave
Benagil Cave is the most popular thing to do in the Algarve. The cave was made famous by a Microsoft screen saver and now is so highly regulated by the government due to the influx of tourists that you’ll have to make plans ahead of time to visit. However, we absolutely enjoyed our kayak tour of Benagil Cave. The cave has an opening at the top that lets in just a small ray of light. It is completely picturesque.
Ria Formosa
Ria Formosa is one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal (as voted by the Portuguese). Just outside of Faro, the area is made up of barrier islands, many of which are uninhabited. You can visit these islands via boat tour. Some boat tours even stop on islands to enjoy hiking and swimming.
Getting There and Around
You will need a car to get around the Algarve. The easiest way to get to the Algarve is to take a car from Lisbon. The drive is about 4 hours to get to the southern coast. From there, you’ll need the car to bounce from town to town to visit all of the amazing things to do in the Algarve.
Additionally, you could fly into Faro and rent a car there.
Renting a car and driving is easy in the Algarve. The Algarve region has a major toll road running just inland of the southern coast. This is the easiest way to quickly get from town to town. However, small towns can be challenging to navigate and find parking in, especially old town areas. We liked finding parking outside of old town areas and exploring towns on foot.
When to Visit the Algarve
The most popular time to visit is during the summer months when school is out and the sea is warmer. However, the shoulder seasons of spring and fall are also really nice times to visit. The Algarve is warmer than the west coast Portugal destinations so these months are still a nice time to get away from the cold and warm up on the beach. Winter can be another nice time to visit if you’re more interested in visiting for hiking and more adventurous activities. These cooler months can be nice for the more adventurous activities though lots of tours are limited during this time.
We have a lot more information on Portugal to help you plan your vacation including plenty of things to do in the Algarve. To read more in detail about these activities, check them out below.
