Are you heading to Portugal on your next vacation? You don’t want to miss the Algarve Region! We have you covered with all the best things to do in the Algarve.
Lagos, Sagres, Faro, Carvoeiro
The Southern Algarve region of Portugal, famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs, pristine turquoise picturesque beaches, and towering archways, is one of Europe’s most popular vacation destinations.
If you’re like Michael and me, you’ll spend your days wandering the colorful cobblestone streets, kayaking through hidden caves, indulging in fresh seafood, and unwinding on stunning beaches.
Best Things to Do in the Algarve
1. Unwind on the best beaches in the Algarve
One of the best reasons to visit the Southern Algarve is the endless number of breathtaking beaches (over 100 beaches to be exact)! The best beaches for swimming in the Algarve are located in the town of Lagos.
Here are the Best Algarve Beaches:
Praia de Dona Ana
Praia de Dona Ana is one of the most famous beaches in Lagos, Algarve. This small beach is in a cove surrounded by limestone cliffs, making it one of the most photographed beaches in the Algarve. The calm water makes it perfect for snorkeling and swimming, but be aware that the water can be quite cold even in the middle of summer.
This beach has a small restaurant and a few beach vendors selling towels and blankets to sit on.
- You can walk or drive to Praia de Dona Ana. We walked from our accommodation in Old Town Lagos to Praia de Dona Ana (~ a 20-minute walk). There is also a small parking lot you can park in, but be aware that it fills up quickly in the morning. Once you reach the cove, you must walk down 100 wooden steps.
Praia do Carvoeiro
This lively beach is perfect for an afternoon on the beautiful Algarve coast. The calm water, sheltered by towering limestone cliffs, and the proximity to lively restaurants and bars make Carvoeiro one of the best beaches in the Algarve.
Carvoeiro is a great beach in the Algarve to swim, snorkel, or relax on the sand. You can also rent a stand-up paddle board or hop aboard one of the colorful boats on shore to explore the famous Algarve Caves. Day beds are also available to rent.
For even more beautiful views of the Carvoeiro coastline, you can also walk the Carvoeiro boardwalk from the Nossa Senhora da Encarnação fort (Fortress and Chapel of Our Lady of the Incarnation) to the Algar Seco rock formations. INCREDIBLE!
Praia do Camilo
The Praia do Camilo is one of the most beautiful beaches in Lagos! Towering limestone cliffs surround the tiny beach, offering views that will take your breath away. You likely have seen photos of this beach on many Portugal blogs and social media accounts, as it is one of the most popular beaches in the Algarve.
This picturesque beach is accessed by a long wooden staircase. A restaurant is located at the top of the cliff, so pack what you need in a cooler or backpack so you don’t have to keep making your way up the staircase. Restrooms and a snack vendor are also at the cliff’s top.
Ponta da Piedade
Ponta da Piedade (translated to Piety Point) offers insane views to both sides of the Algarve coastline, making it one of the top things to do in the Algarve!
You can soak in the views with a cliff walk or sit and relax with a cold beer from the small cafe at the top of the cliffs. Walk down the steep wooden stairs to the water for even better views. Truly spectacular!
- To get to Ponta Da Peidade: Ponta da Piedade is a ~25-30 minute walk from Old Town Lagos OR a 10-minute drive. Parking can be limited, so if you are staying in or near Lagos, you can get a taxi for around $5-8 Euro each way. Since there is no beach to sit on, we took a kayak tour that took us right up to the Ponta Da Pediade. In our opinion, a kayak is the best way to see the Ponta Da Pedidade.
On a Kayak or boat tour, you will see many rock formations, including the shapes of elephants, the Titanic, and a camel head.
^ Can you spot the elephant?
2. Explore the Algarve Caves
The Algarve caves must be added to your bucket list! In fact, the Algarve is home to some of the most beautiful caves in Europe! One of the most famous caves is the Gruta da Benagil or Benagil Cave, but there are so many other caves that should have such notable status.
A cave tour of the Algarve allows you to explore the limestone coastline, which includes caves, grottos, and private beaches, from a whole new perspective.
The only way to enter many of these fascinating rock formations is by boat, kayak, or stand-up paddle board.
There are many options for tours in the Algarve, which we linked here: Top Algarve Cave Tours.
However, our two favorite tours were the sunset cave boat tour and our morning kayak cave tour.
The smaller the boat, the better! Larger boats are too large to enter some of the smaller caves.
3. Day Trip To Sagres
Sagres is a small village located in mainland Europe’s southwesternmost point. It’s a popular spot for surfers, with beautiful beaches and coastlines. The main attraction is the impressive fortress with Cabo de São Vincent Lighthouse. We explored the fortress and then stayed for an unbelievable sunset.
4. Explore Lagos Old Town
Lagos is hands down one of the best towns in the Algarve Region. If you only have a day or 2 to spend in this region, we recommend staying in Lagos’s old town! Lagos’s old town has many coffee shops, delicious restaurants and bars, and local shopping.
We enjoyed our morning coffee walking along the boardwalk before hitting the beautiful Lagos beaches.
Favorite bars & restaurants:
- Barbosa Tapas- flaming Chorizo
- Ala Do Castello- cataplana & seafood rice. (some dishes require an advance order, so be sure to call ahead!)
- Pomo- the best Italian dishes
- Beer & Co- beer and sports bar
- Indigo Bar- rooftop & the best bartenders
- La Focaccia- quick grab & go sandwiches for your beach day
5. Golf
It would not be a vacation if Michael did not get a round of golf in.
Lucky for him…
The Algarve is home to some of the best golf resorts in Portugal. Who wouldn’t want to stay at a 5-star resort with coastline views sweeping over a pristine golf course? Michael could have spent a month in The Algarve on golf alone.
Golf Courses to Check Out: Boavista Golf, Palmares Ocean & Golf, or Espiche Golf Course.
How to Visit The Algarve:
The easiest way to get to the Algarve is by plane or car. The international airport in the Algarve is in Faro.
While Uber and taxis operate in the Algarve, we highly recommend renting a car to explore this coast’s many attractions.
Best Time To Visit The Algarve
Like many places in Europe and the world, the Algarve’s peak tourist season is July and August. This is because it’s the time of year when children are on school breaks, and companies offer holiday time.
If you are available, we recommend visiting the Algarve in September or October, at the end of the region’s peak tourist season. You will still enjoy warm sunny days, and all the Algarve has to offer without long lines and crowded beaches.
Where To Stay In The Algarve
There are many great places to stay in the Algarve! We’ve explored a few different towns during our time here, and each town has its own unique charm.
The best place to stay in the Algarve is Lagos. Lagos’ old town is centrally located and a great base for exploring the rest of the Algarve. Lagos has many great restaurants and nightlife and is walkable to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
This post shows you all of the best things to do in the Algarve.
Trip Planning & Packing Freebee
Subscribe + get our FREE trip planning and packing must-haves!
