Algarve
I have to confess, I’m in love with the eastern half of the Algarve. At this end you’ll find quaint fishing towns, cubist architecture, the better type of tourists and excellent little restaurants serving oysters and clams plucked straight from the Ria Formosa. The mainland here is locked in by this diverse wetland so to reach the beaches, you’ll need to take a short ferry ride. It’s worth it though, because at this end both the ocean and the people are warmer.
That said, don’t skip over the western half of the Algarve. It’s here you will find those iconic beaches with warm cascading cliffs in every golden hue imaginable. Hop your way from one beach to another, snapping pictures and marvelling at the towering rocks.
If you love to surf or want to learn, turn the corner to the west-facing surf beaches from Sagres until the Alentejo Coast. Here bigger, wilder, quieter beaches await. A word of warning though, Sagres can be incredibly windy and cold.
Best stops in the Algarve
1
Seek out the cliff beaches
There is something like 150+ beaches in the Algarve, so take your pick. Lagos is a great spot to start.
2
Take a ferry to the beach
From Faro, Olhão or Tavira, get a cheap ferry to a sand island.
3
Go to a fish buffet
For the price of a meal, you can eat endless fish coming off the grill.
4
Visit the end of the earth
Sagres is a windy surfer’s haven, and has one of the best sunsets I’ve ever seen.
Things to do and places to visit in the Algarve
SUP or kayak into Benagil Cave
Explore old town of Faro
Eat at Cha Cha Cha in Olhão
Admire the Church of São Lourenço
Eat oysters in Tavira
Wander the castle walls in Silves
Go wine tasting at Morgado do Quintão
Walk the Algar Seco cave paths
Visit Praia da Marinha
Taste olive oil at Monterose
Try surfing in Sagres
Eat a cataplana seafood stew
Discover my favourite things to do in the Algarve…Whitewashed houses with little chimneys and colourful doors, the shrill of seagulls and shouts of fish vendors, the smell of sunscreen and grilling sardines.
What to eat
Seafood. Almonds. Oranges. Here’s a guide on what to order while holidaying in the Algarve.
Where to eat
With my tasca budget and Michelin palate, I hunt for the best tabernas, cervejarias and marisqueiras that locals love as much as blow-ins like us. These are the best places to eat in the Algarve.
How to get around
Personally, I think a car is the best way to explore the Algarve. It makes it easy to bounce between different beaches and towns to soak in as much holiday sun as possible.
If you have to rely on public transport, there’s a regional train line that runs along the coast. It’s not the fastest service in the world, but it will get you where you need to go. You can take a train down from Lisbon to Faro too, or fly into Faro Airport.
Some friends prefer to take a Flixbus or other coach service from Lisbon to the Algarve, as you can directly to towns such as Lagos a lot faster.
My Must Read Algarve Guides
Everything you need to know about traveling to Portugal’s southern coast.
13 best things to do in Olhão
Fisherman, locals and tourists move at the same slow pace through the narrow, whitewashed streets of Olhão. Charming and full of character, this town perched on the edge of the Ria Formosa feels as though time has paused. Ornate chimneys […]
My favourite towns in the Eastern Algarve
I prefer the Eastern Algarve, where you find white-washed fishing villages, fresh seafood and a slower pace of life.
What to eat in the Algarve
Portugal’s southern coast boasts plenty of unique local dishes and produces some of the country’s best seafood, oranges, figs and almonds.
Where to eat in the Algarve
Fine dining fans could spend the week knocking back degustation menus at Michelin-starred restaurants and emptying jugs of white sangria at beach bars priced for the British crowd. Me? With my tasca budget and Michelin palate, I hunt for the […]
Tile of the day: Igreja de São Lourenço
Azulejos have been used to decorate Portuguese buildings for more than 500 years. Today’s #tileoftheday is all about the blue azulejos of Lisbon.
14 best things to do and see in the Algarve
Whitewashed houses with little chimneys and colourful doors, the shrill of seagulls and shouts of fish vendors, the smell of sunscreen and grilling sardines. Here are my favourite things to do in the Algarve
Tile of the day: Palacio de Estoi
Let’s explore Palacio de Estoi and its incredible tiled staircase. Construction began on this palace in 1840 and it is considered the “most significant manifestation of Romanticism in the Algarve”.
July 24, 2020
Lynn Bruyere
Hi from Nova Scotia. We are heading to the Algarve next month. I love your website and your recommendations. Thank You.