The 16 things to do in Algarve

Head southwest of Portugal to visit the Algarve region and its 16 must-have things!

The Algarve is located in Portugal, in the far southwest of the European continent. It is a region with a particularly sunny climate, enchanting landscapes and a beautiful architectural richness. Whether you go there for a relaxing holiday or to discover the country, visiting the Algarve may be unforgettable.

Between the beaches lined with cliffs to the west, the long sandy stretches of the south-east and the three mountain ranges, which cover almost half of the territory, you have a great choice of activities. Here are some ideas about what you can do in Algarve, to help you choose.

1. Enjoy dreamy beaches

Visiting the Algarve is having a choice between a multitude of beaches, with different characteristics. On the 155 km of coast with various configurations, you will be able to surf in Odeceixe, all north, make snorkeling at the beach ( praia ) from Porto de Mos, near Lagos, or simply spread over the fine sand and swim in crystal clear waters, all along the coast.

The beaches of Barril, near Faro , from Bordeira, west or Ponta de Piedade and its small coves are among the most beautiful beaches of Portugal. And as the sun is at the rendezvous at least 300 days a year, you will have many opportunities to enjoy the pleasures of the beach.

2. Faro

The Algarve capital enjoys a more “Portuguese” atmosphere than most of the cities crowded with tourists. Many visitors are just passing through this underestimated city, where a stop is very pleasant. Faro has a nice marina, parks and well-kept places and a historic old town full of pedestrian streets and terraces. His population, which includes some 8,000 students, ensures a lively nightlife, and his theatrical scene is very present.

The wonderfully well-preserved medieval quarters are home to curious museums, churches and a bone chapel. The lagoons of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa and the beaches like the Ilha de Faro to the south-west and the Ilha da Barreta (alias Ilha Deserta) to the south add an extra appeal to Faro.

3. Sagres

Anyone who loves Portuguese beer is probably familiar with Sagres. The famous brand of cerveja and the small town of Algarve share the same designation. Although not a frenetic tourist paradise, far from there, the Ponta de Sagres is a magnificent promontory used as a ceremony site since the Neolithic Age.

4. Hiking

There's a lot to do by the sea in Algarve. But we must not neglect the back country. The mountains also occupy a predominant place and lend themselves to many hikes. Many trails have been marked, the shortest is 3 km and the longest 340! Rota Vicentina goes from Cabo de São Vicente to Santiago do Cacém, but you can choose to make a part of it. Via Algarviana goes from village to village, between sea and mountain, on the south coast of the Algarve.

5. Lagos

At the western end of the Algarve is the quiet town of Lagos, a real Portuguese gem, with its paved streets full of history. Walk along the turbulent streets, passing in front of charming cafés and white houses, walk around the old market to the slaves and see the Fort of Ponta da Bandeira of the seventeenth century. The beaches will not disappoint you either: discover the hidden coves and swim in the clear and safe waters like the Praia do Pinhao and Ponta da Piedade and its cliffs.

6. Explore caves

The chopped coasts of the Algarve do not only shelter beaches, but also superb rock formations, such as ochre cliffs Lagos . Throughout the coastline, you will also have great opportunities to explore caves. That of Benagil is often part of the lists of the most beautiful beaches of the world and can therefore be too crowded, but there are many others, such as Zorreira, Algar Seco or the Cave des Peignes, to the west.

You can explore these caves by walking on the beaches or on a boat or kayak trip.

7. Albufeira

Just over 30 kilometres from Faro Airport, the seaside resort of Albufeira leaves the lot. Families and couples come to visit this Algarve paradise for its fantastic beaches, quality accommodation, a very lively nightlife as well as delicious seafood restaurants and exciting water sports. The old city with a great atmosphere is full of tavernas and charming shops while the recently developed area of Montechoro offers a fantastic nightlife.

Attention, however: Despite the charm lost due to mass tourism, Albufeira remains an ideal place to discover beaches such as Praia da Galé and Praia da Marinha a little more in the west, or small villages in the inner lands.

8. Rent a boat

If you are on the coast of the Algarve, it is a step that you must not miss under any pretext: boat rental. Enjoy this blue paradise by sailing on the turquoise waters, which allow the region to have one of the most beautiful coasts of the Iberian Peninsula.

Now you have to plan your program. Because yes, rent a boat in Algarve can have different goals.

Longen the coast

The first is to enjoy the local coastline. From Oudeceixe to Monte Gordo, to Sagres, Faro, Albufeira and Ria Formosa, there would be almost anything to take care of during a whole stay!

Go fishing at sea

The waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which border the Algarve, are very fishy and are enriched by the proximity of the Mediterranean. In this region, there are up to 200 species of fish, including large fish, such as marlin and shark.

Sardines, mackerels or tuna can also be fished, to name only the most common. Getting out at sea is an opportunity to learn about all kinds of techniques and to catch what to make your meal.

9. Olhão

Speaking of fishing, towards Olhão, a port that recalls the Moorish style. Admire its narrow streets and white cubic houses, as well as terraced roofs and chimneys. Moreover, the city dates only from the 18th century and its architecture is due to trade relations maintained with North Africa.

10. Watch submarine funds

If sitting on the beach is not your cup of tea, you can go to the discovery of the seabed. The snorkeling is close to everyone, but why not take advantage of your stay in Algarve to scuba diving? You will find many clubs in Albufeira, which is the ideal place to start this activity.

If you are looking for more confidential places, or if you are already a diving patent, you will find many more spots along the coast, such as the Ocean Revival Park, off the coast. Portimão , or Sagres, to the far southwest.

11. Practice a nautical activity

If you prefer to be above the water, you will be able to enjoy your stay in Algarve to practice a nautical activity. There is only the embarrassment of choice, between flyboard , jet-skiing, kayaking, paddle, waterskiing, surfing and many others.

The exceptional climate of Algarve is particularly suited to these practices and you will find facilities and clubs in most coastal cities and villages. Portimão offers a wide range of activities, Lagos is well prepared for kayaking trips and Sagres is renowned for its surfing courses.

12. Monchique

Monchique is nestled north of Lagos, in a wooded area of the coast. It seems small in the middle of the summits of the Serra de Monchique. But to see Monchique, it is above all to visit the Algarve and all its history. Indeed, the small town allows a very rural and agricultural approach of the Algarve. In addition, she visits easily on foot.

13. Go out tonight

Albufeira is considered the city that never sleeps. If you want to party, you will enjoy the nightclubs of the Strip or the bars offering music. If you're with your family, you'll probably prefer the Marina de Vilamoura and its many restaurants.

Everywhere else in Algarve, you can enjoy the warm atmosphere of summer nights. For a quieter activity, you can also offer a boat ride to admire the sunset.

14. Discover cities and villages of character

We cannot visit the Algarve without going to discover its architecture. Certainly, its popularity has led to the construction of buildings of all kinds, not always aesthetic, but fortunately there are some beautiful pepitos to discover. You can devote your first day to visiting the old quarters of the capital, Faro.

About forty kilometers east, Tavira and its ramparts Don't miss your charm. Silvès, the ancient maure capital, has preserved beautiful vestiges of its Arab past, while the small perched village of Querença delights us with its white houses and its dentelated fireplaces.

15. Taste of Algarve’s culinary specialties

During your visit to Algarve, don’t miss a taste of local specialties. You'll probably know how to find charming little restaurants. Guests can enjoy the local dish par excellence: the cataplana . This stew of fish, or meat, has taken the name of the dish in which it is cooked. The cataplana of clams is the most appreciated and may give you a desire to bring this saucepan so special in memory.

Also discover rice with knives or octopus and, for dessert, take a fig and carobe pie, or a sweet potato cake.

16. Breaking up in Sand City Park

Want to distract you with your family during your visit to the Algarve? If you are there between June and November, you will be able to attend the world's largest sand sculptures festival. Each year, about 40,000 tons of Algarve sand are carved by artists.

Discover for about an hour and then enjoy all the attractions of the park, located in Lagoa. Games, water mirrors, shows of all kinds will make you spend a good time. In the evening, the sculptures are illuminated and the park looks fair.

How do I get to Algarve?

Various means of transport allow you to visit the Algarve:

• The plane: It's pretty easy to find Direct flights from Paris to Faro, at all times of the year. In summer, there are also direct flights from Bordeaux, Marseille or Nantes. You can also make a stopover in Lisbon and continue with an indoor flight. Prices vary a lot depending on the time of the year, so don’t hesitate to use a flight comparison as Ulysses to do the best things.
• The train: If you visit the Algarve during a trip to Portugal, you can reach several towns of the Algarve by the bus from Lisbon.
• The buses: many lines serve the city of Faro. However, correspondence in Spain is often necessary.
• Take the car: count about 18 heures to connect Paris to Faro.

Where to stay in Algarve?

The offer of holiday accommodation is rather abundant Algarve. Large hotels with services in seaside resorts, small pensions in villages, typical apartments Airbnb , holiday clubs are at the rendezvous.

The budget for a family with two children starts around 400€ , for a week in July, to go until 1 000€ at that same time. You only have to determine in which city or village you want to stay. To find your Grail, search our Compare hotels .

Remember that you can also visit the Algarve in motorhome , in order to discover the multiple aspects, day by day. You can do it with yours, from France, or rent one on site.