ALGARVE
The Algarve is Portugal's southern region, known for its Atlantic beaches, limestone cliffs and golf resorts. It is a beautiful destination with cute villages, cliffs overlooking sandy coves and golden sands stretch framed by beautiful limestone rocks. The whole south region of Portugal is magical and worth to explore. It is full of charming fishing villages and impressive seascapes.
Algarve is a very popular holiday destination. The season peaks in the summertime with a temperature between 27 to 36 Celsius. We travelled to Algarve at the end of August, where the weather was still super warm, but not boiling. If you'd like to extend your Portugal trip longer, you could do a road trip from Faro to Lisbon as well.
Getting around Algarve
We have rented a car from Europcar for the whole duration of our stay, to make it more convenient for travelling around the coastline. Driving in Algarve isn’t difficult, the streets are well maintained and big enough for cars to get around.
One thing to be aware of is the electronic toll roads. Portugal has a wholly electronic system that records your use of and payment for using highways. Since we have rented our car, the rental car company activated an automated method of payment via a transponder device whenever we passed the electronic system on the highway. However, if you are using your own car with a foreign license place vehicle, you can purchase and activate a prepaid toll card, or purchase pre-defined journeys online.
Our 5 days Algarve itinerary
We have landed in Faro and stayed in the city for 2 nights before moving to the middle part of Algarve, around Porches. Even though Algarve area is not big, and it is easy to drive from one end to another end, I suggest choosing accommodation according to the places you are planning to visit. It will save you time driving and enjoying the day!
Day 1) Estoi, Tavira, Faro
Day 2) Praia da Senhoa da Rocha, Praia Nova, Forte de Nossa Senhora da Rocha, Alger Seco
Day 3) Lagos, Praia do Camilo, Ponda da Piedade
Day 4) Albufeira, Praia da Marinha
Day 5) Benagil Caves, Castelo de Sao Joao do Arade, Faro
What to experience in Algarve
Beaches
From small intimate coves to broad stretches of endless sand, exploring Algarve’s beaches is an ever-unfolding adventure. Algarve has over 100 beaches to explore and they are all equally beautiful! great way to discover the beaches of Algarve is either by hiring a car and doing a road trip alongside the coastline, getting a boat tour that would stop on some of the deserted beaches, or venturing yourself to nearby beaches by hiring a kayak or paddleboard. In my previous post, I have summed up a few of the best beaches in Algarve you should visit.
Hiking
When temperatures allow, hiking the Algarve coastline offers an incredible sensory experience. You can see the beautiful beaches, sea caves and unique sculpted rock formations. Not all hiking routes are difficult, you will find some routes that are well taken care of with clear pathways. You can walk from a city to a city, beach to beach and be amazed by the panoramic views around. Some of the best walking and hiking trails in Algarve is, for example, Seven Hanging Valleys – Carvoeiro to Porches (6km), Masmorra Trail (5.5km), Ria Formosa - Ludo and Quinta do Lago, The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos or Alvor Boardwalk - Estuary and Beach.
Caves
Speaking of coastal treasures, the caves are the unique natural attractions that makes Algarve magical. It attracts local and international tourists to come here and explore the caves of Algarve by kayak, paddleboards, boat tours or you can even swim to them. One of the most famous caves that is especially popular on Instagram is the Benagil cave. Located very close to the beach of Benagil in the district of Lagoa, the “Algar de Benagil”. Other caves you should not miss out whilst in Algarve is, for example, The “Elefante”, in the stunning Ponta de Piedade area, Arches of Marinha and Algar Seco to name a few.
Silves
Silves is another traditional town in the Algarve worth to visit. It is a historic city and it used to be an ancient capital of Algarve during the Moorish occupation. Many of the ancient landmarks can still be viewed today, such as the red stone castle, The Portas da Cidade de Silves, the narrow gateway and best-preserved section of the town walls or the gothic cathedral.
São Lourenço Church
Portugal offers many beautiful displays of azulejo tile art, but few are as impressive as the baroque-inspired São Lourenço Church in Almancil. Built in the 17th century, it is one of the most attractive churches in the region. From outside it looks clean and unnouticable. However, inside the church you will be amazed by the amazing blue tiles, no wonder this church is considered to be one of the greatest artistic treasures of Algarve.
Faro
Faro is a culturally and historically rich city that is often overlooked. Despite of being the largest city of Algarve, the south of Portugal, and being in the close proximity to the airport that connects many local and international flights, many tourists tend to immediately drive off to the coast and beaches. If you are travelling to Algarve by plane, you will most probably land in Faro airport. Many people tend to drive off, but I suggest to spend a night or two in this city and discover the surrounding Faro area. My Faro travel guide gives you some suggestions on things to do and see there.
Lagos
Lagos is a municipality at the mouth of Bensafrim River and along the Atlantic Ocean, in the Barlavento region of the west of Algarve. Lagos is one of the most visited cities in the Algarve, Portugal, due to its variety of tourist-friendly beaches, rock formations, bars, restaurants and hotels, renowned for its vibrant summer nightlife and parties. The extensive range of sights and activities means that Lagos is perfectly suited for a range of different visitors, and this includes families, couples or more mature visitors. Check my Lagos travel guide for more tips on what to see and do around Lagos area!
Estoi palace
The Estoi Palace is a 19th-century rococo building that’s been converted into a hotel. For the full experience, book a night in here, or come and visit the open gardens with fountains, statues and plants. The exterior and gardens of the palace are the main attraction, and non-hotel guest are able to visit the palace grounds and ground floor. Estoi palace is located in the city of Estoi, less an hour from Faro.
Tavira
Tavira is a small city on Portugal’s Algarve coast. It straddles the Gilão River, which reaches the sea through the inlets and lagoons of Ria Formosa Natural Park. Tavira is considered to possibly be the prettisest town of Algarve. It is indeed cute and rich in history too. You can walk around the riverside, in the city center on cobbled streets or visit the nearby beaches Tavira has to offer.
Dolphin watching
One of my highlight of the trip is dolphin watching! We have booked a boat tour (Algarve Fun) that takes you to see some of the highlights of Algarve coast from the ocean, and at the end of the tour, they will drive you far away from the coast to spot some dolphins around. Definitely, an experience you should consider while you are here!
Algar Seco
The Algar Seco are a series of fascinating cliff formations that have been carved out of the limestone bedrock. The Carvoeiro boardwalk is a picturesque cliff top walk that leads from the Nossa Senhora da Encarnação fort to the Algar Seco rock formation. This short walk is along an elevated wooden walkway, which skirts the top of the cliffs and offers wonderful views over the stunning coastline. You can get closer to the cliffs, caves and admire the natural formations and the surrounding views. Algar Seco is a perfect place for a sunset walk and watching!
Senhora da Rocha (Lady of the rock)
Jutting out from the headland of Armação de Pêra, is the beautiful Senhora da Rocha “Lady of the Rock”. This landmark acts as a massive barrier between Praia Nova and Praia da Senhora da Rocha. It is a popular fishing village, so if you are around, make sure to stop by in one of the restaurants for some seafood. On top of the cliff, you'll see a little white church (Fort of Nossa Senhora da Rocha) and at the bottom, a tunnel has been carved out to connect two beaches.
Golf
If you a lover of golfing, Algarve is your place! There are around 31 golf courses spreaded just in the south of Portugal! What can be the best than just play golf and admire the nice coastline views? Either find one that is close to you, or if you want to check them all and go for the best place, check this article that they have ranked top 10 golf courses in Algarve.
Albufeira
Albufeira is a coastal city in the southern Algarve region of Portugal. It’s a former fishing village that has become a major holiday destination, with sandy beaches and a busy nightlife strip in The New town of Albufeira. Albufeira port is a popular place for boat tours to take off. Hence it is a popular holiday destination for many tourists.
Portimao
Portimão is a port city, one of the bigger cities in the West Algarve region of southern Portugal, traditionally known for a centre for shipbuilding, sardine fishing and fish processing. The city’s old and once bustling fishing docks have been responsibly transformed into a scenic promenade, leading to the quaint and tree-lined plazas of the old town.
Where to stay
There are so many places to stay in Algarve, ranging from high-end hotels, B&Bs, hostels, Airbnb's, holiday apartments to affordable low budget hotels. The choice is yours, whatever your budget is and whatever location you are planning to stay.
Always check the location of accommodation, plan how you will get there and what you can do around. Are you looking for a relaxing holiday just by the beach, or craving for some nightlife to experience, or to explore all of the beautiful nature around?
Some of my hotel suggestions to cater a wide range of people and the budget is below:
- Four Seasons Vilamoura - Unfussy studios & apartments in a laid-back resort offering 3 restaurants, 4 pools & a spa.
- Epic SANA Algarve - Upscale spa resort featuring posh restaurants & bars, plus 3 outdoor pools & a 24-hour gym.
- Tivoli Marina Vilamoura Algarve Resort - High-end property offering free breakfast & a golf course shuttle, plus 3 restaurants & a spa.
- Pousada Palácio Estói - Polished hotel in a former 18th-century palace with a restaurant, a bar & 2 pools, plus massage.
- Sagres Sun Stay - Surf camp & Hostel
- Quinta das Relvinhas B&B
- Hotel Rural Quinta do Marco - Polished rooms in a relaxed hotel featuring a restaurant, 2 bars, cooking classes & an outdoor pool.
- Airbnb - make sure to use my link to get some % off for you new booking!
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