Praia do Camilo Algarve Portugal

10 Places You Must Visit in the Algarve: Discover the Gems of Southern Portugal

Beach in the Algarve southern Portugal with text overlay Rock formations in the Algarve Portugal with text overlay Rock formations in the Algarve Portugal with text overlay Beach in the Algarve southern Portugal with text overlay

Read on for breathtaking sun-soaked places and beaches you have to add to your southern Portugal itinerary!

The Algarve is a stunning coastal region in the south of Portugal with beach after beach and plunging clifftops. Over the years it has become a popular destination for beach goers, surfers, families and avid golfers.

Farol da Ponta da Piedade Algarve Portugal

Despite the crowds, it’s actually relatively easy to get off the beaten track in the Algarve if you know where to go.

Farol da Ponta da Piedade viewpoint in the Algarve, Portugal

The rugged coastline is a wonderful destination to explore over the course of 4 to 5 days, and we found ourselves head-over-heels for the picturesque coves, charming towns and parasol-filled beaches. Wondering where to go in the Algarve? Read on for the most beautiful places to visit in the Algarve!

Looking for even more Portugal travel tips and destination guides? Click here!

How to get to the Algarve

Where is the Algarve? It is a region in the southwest of Portugal, comprising 16 municipalities that span from Aljezur in the west past Lagos, Albufeira and Faro, all the way to Vila Real de Santo and Tavira in the east.

The main international airport in the Algarve region is Faro airport. You can either fly here directly, or take a domestic flight from Lisbon to Faro.

Alternatively, you can get to the Algarve region from Seville in Spain by car in just over 2 hours, or drive from Lisbon to Faro in approximately 3 hours. More details on how to get to the Algarve can be found here.

The best time to visit the Algarve

Beach in the Algarve in Portugal

The European summer months are notoriously busy, and most people may tell you to avoid traveling to Portugal (especially the Algarve) during June to August to avoid floods of tourists.

However, it isn’t too difficult to get off the beaten track in the Algarve and the crowds aren’t too overwhelming if you know where to go. If you’re after plenty of sunshine, don’t let the fear of crowds stop you from traveling to Portugal or the Algarve in summer.

That being said, the summer months can be very hot (30 degrees Celsius or 86 Fahrenheit and up), so you might also want to consider visiting from April to June or September to November for your Algarve trip when the weather is slightly milder.

If you are after a beach getaway, you may want to reconsider traveling to the Algarve in winter (late November to March) as while the days can still be sunny, the temperature is much cooler at 10-15 degrees Celsius, and the ocean will be too cold to swim in.

How to get around the Algarve

View of a toll on a highway, located in Portugal, Europe.
Photo credit: membio via Depositphotos.com

Can you get around the Algarve without a car? Yes, you can, but you lose a lot of flexibility in terms of timing, and you may not be able to explore some of the smaller or hard-to-reach towns in the Algarve. Click here for the schedule of the regional train that stops at most of the towns in the Algarve, or you can also check train timetables here. It’s also possible to get around by local buses, but the schedules and routes can be extremely confusing.

We opted to rent a car as we were traveling through Andalucia in southern Spain before crossing the border into Portugal. If you are driving in Portugal you will need to be prepared for a million and one tollbooths! Apart from Greece, I honestly don’t think I’ve paid as many toll fees as I had to pay in Portugal.

Looking for the best prices for rental car companies around the world? Click here to book your rental car ahead of your trip. Bookings can be cancelled or amended if your plans change!

Alternatively, you can take taxis in the Algarve – prices aren’t too outrageous and you can expect a one-way transfer from Faro airport to Tavira (approximately 40 kilometres) to cost 35-40 Euros.

Where to stay in the Algarve

Tavira at sunset in Algarve Portugal

When you’re researching accommodation in the Algarve, you are going to be overwhelmed by all of the options. There are dozens and dozens of towns along the coast, all offering a range of different hotel options, but if you only take away 1 thing from this guide let it be this: avoid staying in Lagos or Faro. These 2 towns are overrun with people and get extremely crowded, especially during the summer months.

Casa Beleza do Sul Tavira Portugal

Instead, book yourself into Casa Beleza do Sul in Tavira. Tavira is a hidden gem on the eastern end of the Algarve, just 2 hours away from Seville – it’s one of the best towns in the Algarve that many people simply skip over in favor of the more well known stops.

Casa Beleza do Sul Tavira Portugal

Don’t let the map fool you – though Tavira may look like it is far from the central parts of the Algarve it will only take you half an hour to get to Faro, a little over an hour to get to the famous stretch of beaches starting from the Ponta da Piedad viewpoint to Praia de Benagil, and 90 minutes to drive all the way to Cape Saint-Vincent in the most south westerly point of Portugal.

Farol da Ponta da Piedade viewpoint in the Algarve, Portugal

Tavira town has been able to stay off the radar and remain quiet, authentic and charming, mainly because it doesn’t have direct beach access – only people don’t realize that it is a quick ferry or car ride away from long, empty beaches.

Casa Beleza do Sul Tavira Portugal

Casa Beleza do Sul is a beautiful boutique guesthouse right off the main promenade with beach-inspired decor and spacious rooms. Paula, the owner, has the lowdown on the yummiest places to eat and the best beaches in the Algarve.

Casa Beleza do Sul in Tavira Portugal

What you’ll really love about Casa Beleza do Sul is the incredible rooftop terrace overlooking the river where you can have a breakfast picnic every morning and romantic sunset drinks every night (there is a wine store downstairs).

Casa Beleza do Sul Tavira Portugal

It is the best place to stay in the Algarve for couples and there are only a few rooms available at Casa Beleza do Sul – click here to check availability and current rates at Casa Beleza do Sul or click here to see other highly rated hotel options in the Algarve!

Looking for more options of where to stay in Tavira? Following extensive research, here are some other alternatives that we would personally consider staying at:

Calcada Guesthouse: A 6-bedroom house with bright and airy rooms. Like Casa Beleza do Sul, this boutique hotel is also located in the historic centre of Tavira so you can easily walk to restaurants and cafes. Reviewers love the location and friendly hosts. Click here to check availability and rates at Calcada Guesthouse.

Casa do Arco: Perfect for those traveling with friends or family, or those planning to stay a little longer in the Algarve. Casa do Arco is a 2-bedroom apartment located within walking distance from the heart of Tavira. Reviewers love the kitchen, having access to a washing machine, the helpful host and spacious rooms. Click here to check availability and rates at Casa do Arco.

The best places to visit in the Algarve, Portugal

Farol da Ponta da Piedade viewpoint in the Algarve, Portugal

Wondering how many days to spend in the Algarve? We spent a leisurely 4 days in the Algarve and managed to cover tons of ground and soak up the sunshine on the best beaches in the Algarve before heading north to Lisbon and Porto.

Ceramic plates n Sagres Algarve Portugal

If you’re planning a trip to this part of Portugal you’re going to want to spend an absolute minimum of 3 nights in the Algarve to make the most of the beautiful coast. Here are some places you can’t leave off your Algarve itinerary!

1. Manta Rota and Cacela Velha beaches

Cacela Velha Algarve Portugal

These two beaches in the eastern part of the Algarve are connected and accessible from either town. They both tend to be extremely quiet and the sand is very fine – when we visited there was only 1 other couple on the beach!

Cacela Velha Algarve Portugal

During low tide you will need to wade through a small marsh to get to Cacela Velha beach, but it’s worth it just to get away from the hordes of people on the other beaches in the Algarve region.

2. Farol da Ponta da Piedade

Farol da Ponta da Piedade viewpoint in the Algarve, Portugal

Cruising along the coast and seeking out incredible viewpoints is one of the best things to do in the Algarve, and this has got to be the best viewpoint in the Algarve – hands down.

Farol da Ponta da Piedade viewpoint in the Algarve, Portugal

Farol da Ponta da Piedade is just outside Lagos and offers the most incredible panoramic view across the Atlantic as well as of the coastal rock formations.

Farol da Ponta da Piedade viewpoint in the Algarve, Portugal

If you’re keen to take a closer look at the rock arches and grottoes there are many boat operators that run Algarve tours in the area.

Wondering where to stay in the Algarve? We loved our time in Tavira on the eastern end of the Algarve coast. Our lovely boutique hotel, Casa Beleza do Sul, was within walking distance to some fantastic restaurants and cafes, and had beautifully spacious rooms. Click here to check availability at Casa Beleza do Sul in Tavira!

Based on positive reviews we would also consider staying at Calcada Guesthouse (a small boutique guesthouse also located in the historic centre of Tavira) and Casa do Arco (a modern, 2-bedroom apartment with a kitchen and washing machine – perfect if you’re traveling with friends or family).

Want to explore more options? Click here to see other highly rated hotels and guesthouses in the Algarve in Portugal.

3. Praia do Camilo

Praia do Camilo in the Algarve Portugal

You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches in the Algarve, there’s one every few kilometres! Praia do Camilo is one of the most famous ones and is nice and sheltered from the elements.

You’ll have to walk down 200 wooden stairs to get to this sandy beach, but it’s a great place to spend a few hours on a sunny afternoon.

4. Praia Dona Ana

Praia Dona Ana in the Algarve Portugal

Praia Dona Ana is sometimes considered the most beautiful beach in the Algarve. Its golden sands are nestled between rugged sandstone cliffs, and massive sea stacks protrude from the crystal clear bay in front of the beach. There is limited parking so you’ll want to get there early, alternatively you can take public transportation or walk from Lagos.

5. Benagil Cave and Praia de Benagil

Inside the Benagil cave, Algarve, Portugal
Photo credit: 8tik via Depositphotos.com

You’ve probably seen photos of the Insta-famous Benagil Sea Cave, a quiet sandy cove with a massive dome hanging precariously over it. Unfortunately we weren’t able to visit inside the cave as the ocean was too rough and tours were not operating.

When the sea is calm you can rent a kayak or SUP to make your way over from the neighboring Benagil beach – it’s one of the best things to do in the Algarve! Though you might have read that you can swim from the beach to the cave, I wouldn’t recommend it as it is a fair distance away, it’s also possible to visit Benagil on a small boat tour if you prefer to remain dry.

Praia de Benagil in the Algarve Portugal

If the cave isn’t accessible when you visit, you might like to follow in our footsteps and look at the cave from above instead.

Benagil Cave in the Algarve Portugal

Drive over to the nearest parking lot (“Parkplatz Bengali Caves” on Google Maps) and then follow the footpath towards the cliff. From here, you can look down into the Benagil Cave.

Looking for more Portugal travel tips? Click here for all of my Portugal destination guides!

6. Praia da Falesia

Praia da Falesia in the Algarve Portugal

Praia da Falesia is a long narrow stretch of golden beach that is off-the-beaten-track in the Algarve. It lies between Faro and the small town of Albufeira, and you’ll find that there are a lot less people here than the beaches closer to Lagos and Portimao.

Praia da Falesia in the Algarve Portugal

If you’re driving, this is the best beach in the Algarve to head to because there is plenty of parking available.

Ready to book your Algarve getaway? We recommend Casa Beleza do Sul, a small boutique hotel with a lovely rooftop terrace and helpful owner. Click here to check availability at Casa Beleza do Sul in Tavira!

You might also consider checking out Calcada Guesthouse (a small boutique guesthouse also located in the historic centre of Tavira) and Casa do Arco (a modern, 2-bedroom apartment with a kitchen and washing machine – perfect if you’re traveling with friends or family). Want to explore more options? Click here to see other highly rated hotels and guesthouses in the Algarve in Portugal.

7. Praia do Amado

Surf lesson at Praia do Amado in the Algarve Portugal

Praia do Amado is one of the best beaches in the Algarve for surfing – head over to the west coast of the Algarve to try your hand at riding the waves.

Surfing at Praia do Amado in the Algarve Portugal

This exposed stretch of beach has a surf school, small restaurant, and waves for all levels of surfers.

8. Estrada da Praia

Estrada da Praia in the Algarve Portugal

Head north of Praia do Amado towards Estrada da Praia (“Beach Road”), which winds and weaves along the coast.

Estrada da Praia Algarve Portugal

There are a number of lookout points where you can stop to check out the hanging cliffs and edges of western Portugal.

9. Cape Saint Vincent and Sagres

Cape Saint Vincent in the Algarve Portugal

Cabo de São Vicente is the most southwesterly headland of Europe, just a few kilometres outside of Sagres town.

Aerial from the lighthouse 'Cabo Vicente' in Portugal
Photo credit: Nilaya via Depositphotos.com

The point is home to an iconic red lighthouse dating back to the mid-19th century and is a popular tourist attraction in the Algarve.

Ceramic plates in Sagres in the Algarve Portugal

Enroute to Cape Saint Vincent from Sagres town is a number of ceramic workshops and stores – a great place to pick up souvenirs to take back home!

10. Tavira

Tavira town Algarve Portugal

Tavira should be on your Algarve itinerary even if you don’t end up staying there. It’s one of the best towns in the Algarve with a number of fantastic restaurants including Zeca da Bica and Oskar’s Restaurant for traditional Portuguese fare or Pausa for modern tapas.

Tavira at sunset in Algarve Portugal

It’s a wonderful place to get lost and wander down narrow cobblestone-paved alleyways lined with bougainvillea-strewn houses.

Want to get off-the-beaten-path in the Algarve and stay in a beautiful boutique guesthouse with a private rooftop? Click here to check availability at Casa Beleza do Sul in Tavira! Want to explore your options? Click here to see other highly rated hotels and guesthouses in the Algarve in Portugal.

We would also consider staying at Calcada Guesthouse (a small boutique guesthouse also located in the historic centre of Tavira) and Casa do Arco (a modern, 2-bedroom apartment with a kitchen and washing machine).

Bougainvillea in Tavira town Algarve Portugal

I hope this list of the best places to go in the Algarve helps you plan your epic southern Portugal trip! Have you been to the Algarve? What was your favorite town and beach?

You might also want to read these Portugal guides:

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