Travel guide to Algarve in Portugal - attractions, beaches and beautiful towns

What to know before you arrive in the Algarve

The Algarve is one of Portugal's most popular regions, sitting in the south of the country and famous for its golden beaches, high cliffs, picturesque bays and small seaside towns. The region is extremely varied, so before you set off it's worth asking yourself whether you're mainly after relaxation, sightseeing, outdoor activities, or a mix of all of these.

The main transport hub in the Algarve is Faro, which is home to the international airport - Aeroporto de Faro.

Renting a car gives you the most freedom when exploring the Algarve. Many of the finest beaches, viewpoints and lesser-known bays lie outside the town centres, so public transport doesn't always get you there quickly or comfortably.

When to Visit? Algarve weather

The Algarve is renowned for its warm climate and abundant sunny days throughout the year. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F), making them the perfect time for sunbathing and relaxing by the ocean.

Spring and autumn are slightly cooler, but still very pleasant for sightseeing, walks, and excursions. Winter temperatures are mild, although precipitation and stronger winds are more frequent.

Discover the Algarve with our guides and see the must-see destinations during your holiday. Choose an excursion and plan an unforgettable day in Portugal.

The most popular towns and resorts in the Algarve

Faro

Faro is the capital of the Algarve and, for many people, their first taste of the region, as it is home to southern Portugal's main airport. It's worth not treating the city as nothing more than a transit point, though. The walled Old Town, the cathedral, the city gates and the quiet marina show a more local side of the Algarve.

Faro makes an ideal base for exploring the region - Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, for example, is close by. From the city you can also take a cruise across the lagoon, sail out to Ilha Deserta or plan a short trip to Olhão. If you want to ease into your sightseeing, Faro is a good choice for day one.

Lagos

Lagos is a popular spot in the Algarve, and it's hardly surprising. The town combines an attractive old centre, a holiday atmosphere, plenty of accommodation and access to some of the most beautiful scenery in the region.

The biggest draw is the cliffs and beaches around Lagos. Praia do Camilo, Praia de Dona Ana and Ponta da Piedade are all nearby or just a short drive away. This is where the Algarve shows its most postcard-perfect face: rocks rising out of the ocean, natural arches, tiny coves and viewpoints.

Lagos is a good choice if you want to combine beach days, boat trips, clifftop walks and evenings out in the restaurants.

Albufeira

Albufeira is the best-known resort in the Algarve. It's a good choice for anyone who wants beaches, restaurants, bars, shops and a wide selection of tours all within easy reach. It feels more holiday-oriented and busier than Tavira or Burgau, but that's exactly why it works so well for travellers who like having everything close by.

From Albufeira, it's easy to arrange a cruise along the cliff coast, a trip to Benagil Cave or a day at Praia da Falésia. Nearby you'll also find Zoomarine Algarve in Guia, a popular marine entertainment and education park - a viable option for families with children.

Portimão

Portimão is a large coastal city, known above all for Praia da Rocha. It has a more urban feel than the smaller resorts, but in return, it offers plenty of restaurants, hotels, shops and connections to other parts of the region.

It's also a good starting point for boat trips to the sea caves and along the coast. If the Algarve attractions you're after are ocean-related, Portimão will be a convenient base.

It's also worth stopping by Ferragudo, a small town on the other side of the Arade River, which has a quieter feel and lovely coastal views.

Vilamoura

Vilamoura is a more elegant and orderly part of the Algarve. The heart of the resort is the marina with its restaurants, hotels and boats, and there are beaches and golf courses nearby. It's a good spot for people who like comfortable facilities and a more resort-style holiday.

In Vilamoura it's also worth seeing Cerro da Vila, the remains of a Roman villa. It's a small but interesting attraction, and a reminder that the Algarve isn't only about beaches and boat trips, but also about a long history.

Smaller towns worth your attention

The south of Portugal isn't just about the big towns! If you're looking for a more intimate atmosphere while still staying near the local attractions, have a look at our list below.

• Carvoeiro - set in one of the most picturesque parts of the coast. It's popular, but still more low-key than Albufeira. A good choice for anyone who wants to be close to the cliffs, the walking trails and the beaches tucked away between the rocks.
• Alvor lies between Lagos and Portimão, but has a quieter character than either. It's a former fishing town with low-rise buildings, restaurants and a pleasant walk down to the beach. A big plus is the wooden boardwalks leading across the lagoon and the dunes.
• Burgau - a small town west of Lagos, often chosen by people looking for a local feel. Tourism here isn't on the scale of the biggest resorts, and the beach set between the rocks makes a pleasant place for a relaxed day. It's a good stop if you're exploring the western Algarve by car.
• Aljezur - shows a different face of the Algarve: wilder, more surf-oriented and less resort-like. It lies closer to the west coast, where the Atlantic is stronger, the beaches wider and the landscape more rugged.

The most beautiful beaches in the Algarve

Praia da Marinha

Praia da Marinha shows up again and again in photos promoting the Algarve. The cliffs, the rocks jutting out of the ocean, and the views from above make it one of the most recognisable places in the region.

In season, it's best to arrive in the morning, as the car park and the path down to the beach can get very crowded.

Praia da Falésia

Praia da Falésia is one of the most distinctive beaches in the Algarve. Its trademark is the long orange-red cliffs stretching above a broad strip of sand. The beach is long, so even in high season it's easier to find space here than in the small coves.

It's a great place for a walk, a day on the sand and photos at sunset. Praia da Falésia lies between the areas around Albufeira and Vilamoura, so it's easy to reach from the popular resorts.

Praia da Rocha

Praia da Rocha is a wide, sandy beach next to Portimão. It has an entirely different feel from the small, hidden coves - it's urban, with a promenade, hotels, and restaurants nearby.

It's a good choice if convenience matters to you: easy access, good facilities and a holiday atmosphere.

Praia do Camilo

Praia do Camilo lies not far from Lagos. Wooden steps lead down to it, and at the bottom a small cove surrounded by rocks awaits.

It's a beautiful spot, but fairly small, so in season it pays to turn up early in the morning.

Praia dos Três Irmãos

Praia dos Três Irmãos is located near Alvor and is well-known for its rocks, caves, and passages between the coves. This is a beach where it's worth doing more than just laying out a towel - walk along the shore and take a look between the rock formations.

Nature, cliffs, and views in the Algarve

Ponta da Piedade

Ponta da Piedade lies not far from Lagos and is famed for its cliffs, rock arches and grottoes, as well as the turquoise water between the rocks. You can admire it from above, walking between the viewpoints, or from the water on a boat trip.

The best light for photos tends to be in the morning or late afternoon, when the sun brings out the colour of the rocks.

Admire the rocky Algarve coast from a completely different perspective on a cruise to the Ponta da Piedade caves. Sail between extraordinary rock formations and discover hidden caves at the foot of picturesque cliffs.

Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

Parque Natural da Ria Formosa is a thoroughly different Algarve from the one with the cliffs and beaches. It's a system of lagoons, channels, islands, sandy spits, and areas significant for birdlife. The easiest places to explore it from are Faro, Olhão or Tavira.

It's a good trip idea for anyone who wants a break from the resorts and a look at the quieter, more natural side of southern Portugal.

Lesser-known places and attractions worth seeing

• Tavira - one of the prettiest towns in the region for people who enjoy traditional architecture, unhurried walks and local atmosphere. It's worth wandering through the old town, seeing the bridge over the Gilão river, looking inside the churches and planning a trip to the beaches out on the islands.
• Silves - lies inland and is a great place if you want a break from the beaches for a while. Its main attraction is Castelo de Silves, the castle towering over the town.
• Fortaleza de Sagres - a fortress set on a rocky headland, looking out over the Atlantic. It isn't a place full of decoration and museum splendour - its strength lies in the space, the wind, the cliffs, and the sense of standing at the end of the land.
• Benagil Cave - a sea cave with a natural opening in the ceiling and a small beach inside. This spot has become a symbol of southern Portugal's cliff coast and often appears in tour itineraries. Benagil Cave can only be visited by boat or kayak. The rules for visiting may change depending on regulations and sea conditions, so it's worth checking the latest information before you travel.

Discover the Algarve's famous caves and beaches on a cruise to Benagil Cave. From the deck, you'll see spectacular cliffs, Praia da Marinha, Carvoeiro, and hidden caves.

Tours in the Algarve

The Algarve can be explored on your own, especially if you rent a car. There are places, though, where a guided tour makes the holiday easier. That's true for all boat trips to the caves, tours around Ria Formosa, and routes that link several points in a single day.

The most popular Algarve tours are:

• boat trips to Benagil Cave and along the cliff coast,
• dolphin watching,
• tours around towns such as Silves, Monchique and Lagos.

If you're on holiday in Portugal and don't want to spend time putting routes together, an excursion is a practical solution.

What to see in the Algarve - summary

If you're heading to the Algarve for the first time, start with the places that best capture the region's variety: Lagos, Ponta da Piedade, Praia da Marinha, Benagil Cave, Faro, Tavira and Sagres. That's a good set for a first holiday in southern Portugal.

If beaches are what you're after, go for Praia da Falésia, Praia da Rocha, Praia do Camilo, Praia dos Três Irmãos and Praia de Dona Ana. If you prefer nature, plan in Ria Formosa, Ilha Deserta, Praia da Arrifana or Praia da Amoreira.

If you'd like to see the quieter attractions in the Algarve, add Silves, Burgau, Aljezur, Cacela Velha and Monchique to your plan.

The Algarve is best discovered without rushing. It's worth leaving yourself time not just for the biggest attractions, but also for a short stroll around a town, a local dinner, a viewpoint along the way and a beach that wasn't in the plan.