Best things to do in Algarve, Portugal

Endless sandy beaches, majestic cliffs rising up from clear blue waters, Mediterranean climate and sleepy fishing villages make the Algarve a perfect destination all year round. Here are the best things to do in the Algarve!

Things to do in Algarve

Our trip to the Algarve consisted of eating amazing food, walking on the beach, wondering through coves and bathing under the warmest sunshine. If you are after a well-priced sun holiday, then you must pack your bags and head over to the Portuguese Southern Coast.

Algarve Natural Wonders

Enjoy the Landscape

The Algarve is blessed with a beautiful and dramatic landscape, which makes this region a photographer’s dream. Be stunned by stretches of endless sandy beaches all set against the backdrop of red and yellow sandstone cliffs. Around Albufeira and Lagos, you will encounter what is known as the Rocky Algarve, nickname given due to its limestone rocks dominating the golden coastline. Here, you can discover creeks and caves, bays and coves.

Secluded Cove Algarve

Love the Beaches

Enjoy over 200km of golden sandy beaches, from long stretches of sand to tiny coves enclosed by rocky formations. The most renowned beach is Praia da Marinha located in Lagoa, and regularly ranked amongst best beaches in Europe. Try Praia da Falésia in Albufeira if you are interested in cliffscapes which regularly change colours and shapes. Looking for seclusion? Then head over to Praia de Cacela Velha which looks like paradise.

Sandals Algarve

Be Amazed by the Food

Known for Polvo Lagareiro (Octopus with Potatoes), perfectly cooked fish dishes and incredibly tasty fruit cocktails, The Algarve can be considered a seafood lover’s paradise. We love Portugal’s culinary scene so much, it became our favorite foodie spot in Europe.

Seafood Algarve

Indulge in Postcard – Perfect Sunsets

Make your way to the south-westernmost corner of the European continent, Cabo de Sao Vincente. This is a place still largely unspoiled by tourism, which makes it the perfect secluded spot for a romantic sunset.

Hotel Portimao

Walk, Walk, Walk

I can’t imagine anything better than a morning walk by the beach, whilst enjoying the warm sunshine. Breathe in the Atlantic Ocean’s salty air and discover hidden coves surrounded by towering cliffs. This is an amazing place if you are a yoga lover because you can practice your daily meditation right by the shores, or on top of one of the many rocky sandstone formations.

Adore The Weather

With over 300 days of sunshine a year, it comes as no surprise why the Algarve attracts tourists all year round. We visited in June and enjoyed a week full of delightful weather and consistent sunshine. During midday, the sun can get pretty intense. Now it’s the perfect time to either enjoy the waves of the Atlantic ocean or withdraw under the shades and have some delicious lunch.

Algarve Path Beach

Meander Around Quaint Towns

The Algarve is dotted with villages and towns which come in all different shapes and sizes. Rent a car and drive to each and every single one of them. Alternatively, take a day trip to Lagos, a chilled walled old town. Pay Albufeira a visit, a major tourist destination renowned for its nightlife which was once a tiny sleepy village. We loved laid back Portimão, a great place for walking on tiny cobbled streets, surrounded by orange trees.

Marina Algarve

Swim in the Atlantic Ocean

Situated by the Atlantic Ocean, Algarve is the perfect destination for all water-sports lovers due to its perfect combination of sun and wind. Whether you are interested in kitesurfing, wakeboarding, scuba diving or sailing, you will be spoilt for choice for things to do.

Algarve Cliffs

Enjoy the Flora

Although our days were mainly spent relaxing under the warm sun rays, we also explored Algarve’s residential scene. We walked around secluded streets full of Mediterranean style villas and huge gardens. We discovered how varied the flora in the Algarve really is. Full of hibiscus, tropical palms, avocado and fig trees, the Portuguese southern coast makes a perfect destination for nature lovers.

Flora Algarve

Love the Price

The Algarve is the perfect getaway for those wishing to reinvigorate and escape their stressful daily routine. On top of perfect climate, deliciously good food, friendly locals and impressive natural wonders, the Algarve is also reasonably priced. There is a variety of accommodation available ranging from cheap hotels to private luxurious villas. We found the Algarve to be the cheapest sun holiday destination in Europe!

Beach Algarve
Seascape Algarve

We spent our Algarve holiday walking around the beach, relaxing, stuffing our faces with tones of seafood and getting an incredibly beautiful tan. What is the best thing to do in Algarve that you loved the most? Leave a comment below and tell us all about it.

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Cory from You Could Travel entering Senso-ji in Tokyo, Japan

Cory Varga – Cory is a published travel writer and award-winning photographer. She travels full time with her husband and is passionate about creating in-depth travel guides. Cory published her first book on Japanese customs and manners because she’s obsessed with everything Japan. She has visited hundreds of destinations and has lived in 7 different countries. Cory is multilingual and an alumna from The University of Manchester.

Comments

4 responses to “Best things to do in Algarve, Portugal”

  1. Rebecca Emin Avatar
    Rebecca Emin

    Wow, the Algarve looks absolutely gorgeous. Love the photos of the beaches and particularly the hidden coves.

  2. Hello Cory and G! Thank you for sharing your tips on Algarve! I’ve heard of its beautiful coasts with amazing views so I was considering going there after visiting Lisbon. Keep up the great articles! Cheers, Alesia.

  3. Family Travel Pro Avatar
    Family Travel Pro

    We always love the food when we travel to the Algarve! And you can’t beat the weather – such a great climate when travelling with kids particularly!

  4. Love Alvor and Lagos , beautiful food and wine amazing coast line , can’t beat the Algarve

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