The Algarve region in Southern Portugal has so many amazing places to see which is why I put together this ultimate Algarve travel guide. I recommend spending your time in a few different towns. The best way to travel around the region is by renting a car. This allows you to drive to the many beaches that aren’t always easily accessible by public transport.
The Algarve has more than 300 days of sunshine a year and is the perfect holiday destination for all types of holidays. You can have a relaxing holiday here, or if you prefer, there is loads of activities (usually near or on the water) to keep you fit and active. Combined with this there is culture, history, great food, and friendly welcoming locals.
I have written this guide to help you plan your trip, give you an idea of where you should go and what the highlights of each town are.
Following are some tips that will make your trip to Portugal run smoothly.
Algarve Travel Guide: Driving
Driving in the Algarve is straight forward, you just need to be aware of a few things. Often the town centres are pedestrianised, so you need to park on the outskirts of the centre. Parking is usually payable during working hours and isn’t often more than €1 per hour. Make sure you park in the direction of the traffic, as otherwise you can be fined.
All the beaches have car parks, and parking is free in these areas. Car parks can fill up, so you may have to end up parking slightly further away, but I never encountered any real problems.
It’s easiest to pick up your rental car from Faro airport, as all the search engines seem to only select this pick-up point for some reason. Car rentals can be very reasonable, I paid £17 per day for a Fiat Punto.
It is a good idea to purchase Insurance Excess cover separately, as it will always be cheaper. I used a company called icarhireinsurance.com. I didn’t have to make a claim so can’t say how good they are, but they do have good reviews on Trust Pilot.
Be aware that petrol is expensive in Portugal. The cost was between €1.60 and €1.70 per litre (2021).
I visited quite a few destinations whilst in the Algarve for 2 weeks, and below I will talk about the best places and those I would highly recommend. The region is easily navigable with a car, and you can drive from one end to the other in 2 hours, making it perfect for a road trip.
If you arrive in Portugal via Lisbon, the drive to the Algarve region is less than three hours. Flying to Lisbon could therefore be an alternative to arriving in Faro if it is cheaper.
Algarve Travel Guide: Money
When I visited Portugal, I only had about €100 of cash with me, expecting to pay for most things with my credit card. Unfortunately, a lot of places only accept cash, so consider this before you travel, and bring plenty of cash with you. You want to avoid expensive ATM charges and terrible exchange rates.
Algarve Travel Guide: The best 3 things to do
Before reviewing some of the best places to visit, I want to highlight the best 3 things to do in this Algarve Travel Guide.
Fantastic Surfing in the Algarve
If you’re into surfing, or a complete novice who wants to give it a try, the Algarve is the perfect place to do it. There are several good surf beaches, for all levels of surfer.
The town of Sagres in the far West of the Algarve is a famous little laid back surf town. There is many surf shops and rental places around town, but to be honest, you can start your surf trip from anywhere west of Portimao.
I stayed at Jho’La Surf Camp in Praia da Luz and paid for 3 days surfing and accommodation. You get picked up in the morning in a minibus and taken to the best surf spot for the day.
We drove 30 minutes towards the west coast to Praia da Cordoama. The instructors will teach you the basics and help you catch the waves once you’re in the water. Surf boards and wet suits are included, and you have about 3 hours of surf time, with a bit of lunch in the middle (which is usually enough, surfing it hard work!)
Amazing Beaches in the Algarve
If you come to the Algarve, you probably want to spend some time relaxing on the beach, and the Algarve does beaches extremely well. You will find some of the best beaches in Europe in this region. For even more beach reviews, read about the best 18 beaches in the Algarve.
They are all sandy beaches, with clean blue waters. A lot of them have facilities such as toilets, bars, parasols and umbrellas, and there’s a few that are quieter, and you have only what you bring with you. Some of my favourite beaches are listed below, so read on to find out more.
Kayak Tours and Coastal Walks in the Algarve
These were two of my favourite activities to do in the Algarve. From most of the bigger towns you can rent kayaks and tour the nearby caves and grottos, which is a real highlight, and unique to this region.
Coastal walks along the cliff tops are a real pleasure. You benefit from natural air conditioning from the sea breeze, and the views are breath-taking around each corner. Two of my favourite cliff top walks are The Seven Hanging Valleys Trek and the Piedade Headland (you can read more about these below).
Algarve Travel Guide: Best town to stay
The Algarve has many different towns and villages you could stay, all with their charms. I have written a full review of why I recommend to stay in Lagos so please check this out to find out more. Best Place to stay in the Algarve.
The Best Places to visit in the Algarve
Algarve Travel Guide: Visit Faro
Faro is the capital of the Algarve region and to be honest I think half a day here is long enough. It is the easiest town to reach if you fly into Faro Airport.
You can catch the number 16 bus to take you to the centre of town from the airport. The journey only takes 20 minutes, and costs €2.30. The bus stop is just outside the terminal, you can’t miss it, and the buses depart every 20 minutes or so.
If you have a late arrival or early departure in the morning it might make sense to stay in Faro due its proximity to the airport.
The best things to do in Faro
Visit Arco da Vila
This ornate archway leads through to the historical old town of Faro with remains of the old city walls. This is the perfect place to start meandering through the cobbled streets and view the eighteenth-century Portuguese architecture. You will find many cute places to sit for coffee or beer, what ever you feel like.
Relax at O Castelo Bar and Restaurant
I would highly recommend a visit to this bar if you’re in town on a Monday night especially. Every Monday there have a traditional Portuguese Fado show. They have reasonably priced good food and cocktails, and the best view in the city of the marshlands leading out to the coast.
Algarve Travel Guide: Visit Tavira
The picturesque town of Tavira is a small inland town, straddling the banks of the Gilao River and I was pleasantly surprised by my visit. The centre of town reminded me of a mini-Paris for some reason.
I’m not sure if it was the Ponte Romana Bridge linking the north and south parts of town or the street entertainer playing the accordion. For these reasons Tavira has to be part of the Ultimate Algarve Travel Guide
Best things to do in Tavira
Praia do Barril
Praia do Barril is the nearest Beach to Tavira, however, be aware it’s not so easy to get to. There is a car park (max €5) or alternatively on the street (if you can find a space), and then it’s a 20-minute walk to the beach.
You can ride on a little train for €1.80, but this was slower than walking. If you have a lot of bags or struggle to walk take the train, otherwise walk.
The beach itself is exceptionally long, with calm waters, and some great beach side bars. It doesn’t have the dramatic limestone cliffs of other beaches further west but still worth a visit if you’re in town for a few days.
Walkabout the Old Town
The centre of town is probably the most colourful in the Algarve, with potted plants and shrubs planted everywhere. It’s very relaxing and romantic to walk around, and there is plenty of restaurants and bars to visit.
Restaurante Terraze
One of my favourite restaurants to visit was Restaurante Terraze sitting on banks of the Gilao River. It has great views across the river overlooking the southern part of town, and it plays some smoothing jazz tunes to relax to in the afternoon.
Algarve Travel Guide: Visit Albufeira
Albufeira is one of the main towns in the Algarve, and a major draw for tourists. It can almost be split into two centres. The first containing the typical cobbled streets of the Old Town, and the other along the famous ‘Albufeira Strip’ for those party animals. The areas are about 2km apart and you can easily catch a bus from one area to the other in about 10 minutes.
Best things to do in Albufeira
Check out the Albufeira Strip Nightlife
I must talk about this area, as I know it will appeal to a lot of people, especially those coming with groups of friends looking to party. The strip runs along Av. Sa Carneiro from Montechoro in the North all the way down to the Atlantic in the South – about 2km in total.
To be honest, the place wasn’t for me. I thought it was a bit tacky, and it reminded me of Benidorm, taken over by a lot of young brits looking to get drunk.
Praia da Marinha
Praia da Marinha is a 30-minute drive from Albufeira and is one of the best beaches in the country, probably in Europe to be honest. It’s a sandy cove beach surrounded by karst limestone cliffs that the region is so famous for.
At low tide you can walk through some caves to tiny beaches on either side. Be aware you don’t get caught out by the incoming tide and stranded! You can easily spend a day here happily chilling in these beautiful surroundings lapping up the hours of sunshine.
Explore the Benagil Cave
The Benagil caves is the picture you’ve probably seen on any postcard of the Algarve. It’s a short drive from Praia da Marinha. The cave is only accessible by the water, just around the corner from Benagil Beach.
The cave was formed millions of years ago through erosion of the limestone rock causing sinkholes to be created. This cave has a perfect round hole at the top of the cave letting the sunshine streak though.
Most people rent kayaks or Stand-Up Paddle Boards (€30 euros for 90 minutes rental) from Benagil Beach to get here.
You can swim if you’re a strong swimmer but check the waves and tide first. You can also go on a boat cruise, but you can’t enter the cave, as you must stay on-board the boat.
Hike the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is a must do on any visit to the Algarve. The walk takes you 6km along the cliff tops from Praia da Marinha all the way to Praia do Vale de Centeanes.
It can take approximately 2-3 hours walking each way. I walked both ways in about 5 hours, which included some time to have a coffee and relax on the beach halfway though.
This walk takes you down to sea level but mostly along the top of the cliffs, where you will experience some of the best photo opportunities of your holiday. The scenery is simply stunning.
You also walk past the top of Benagil Cave, so you can take an aerial shot for a different perspective, looking down at all the kayakers below.
Algarve Travel Guide: Visit Lagos
Lagos was my favourite town in the Algarve. It has everything – beautiful beaches, a historic old town, friendly laid-back atmosphere, and it’s a great place to base yourself to explore the region. This is where I recommend you stay; you can read more about that here.
Best things to do in Lagos
Walk the Ponta da Piedade Trail
Ponta da Piedade is a headland in Lagos with a boardwalk on top of the cliffs. I walked here at sunset and the orange sun setting over the horizon was amazing. Along with the seven hanging valleys trail, this is one of the most famous and rewarding walks you can do.
Kayaking and Boat Trips
Kayaking and boat trips to the grottos and caves – Lots of boat trips and kayak tours depart from Lagos, near to the Fortaleza da Ponta and the Castle of Lagos. I did a kayaking tour, and it was one of the highlights of the trip. The tour lasted about 2.5 hours and cost €30.
You start in Lagos and kayak around the Ponta da Piedade headland. There are multiple secret caves and grottos that can only be reached from the water.
If you’re not feeling quite so active, for a similar price, you can have a boat tour. Depending on the size of the boat, they can’t always access the smaller caves and grottos, but it is still a great way to see the coastline
Beaches close to Lagos
Within 10 minutes’ drive from Lagos you can visit some of the best beaches in the region. I would call out Praia do Camilo, Praia de Dona Ana and Praia do Canavial as the best ones to visit.
Praia do Canavial is a secret hidden beach without any signposts, making it more rewarding when you find it.
Search for it in Google Maps, and when you reach the car park nearby (it’s in a cul-de-sac of houses), you need to walk along a short boardwalk for about 30 yards until you see a wire metal fence. Once you see that, leave the board walk and follow the fence towards the sea.
After another 20 yards or so you’ll see the steps heading down to the beach. The eastern part of the beach is often visited by naturists, so now is the time to get your all-over body tan, don’t be shy!
Algarve Travel Guide: Visit Alvor
Alvor is a charming little fishing village that has retained its small sleepy demeanour despite all the visitors. I think a couple of hours here is enough to explore the narrow hilly streets and visit the little harbour.
Another reason to visit is the nearby Praia dos Tres Irmaos. This was one of my favourite beaches, and it’s full of caves and hidden beaches. Check the tides and visit at low tide so that you can walk through the caves and find all the hidden beaches.
I loved climbing over the rocks and ducking through the caves to find the next beach. This should be near the top of your to do list.
Algarve Travel Guide: Visit Monchique
Monchique is famous as having the highest point in the Algarve in the Serra de Monchique. On a clear day you can see across the whole Algarve coast. It’s worth visiting for the views and is a nice break from all the beaches for an afternoon.
The town itself has the typical Portuguese cobbled streets, and this town is hillier than most but easily walkable. It’s small, so you don’t need too much time here, but it is a nice diversion I would recommend.
Algarve Travel Guide: Visit Silves
Silves is another town offering a break from the beach if you need it. The highlight of visiting Silves for me was the Archaeological Remains of the Ancient Mosque. Entry is only €3, and the external walls are all intact, with remnants of the old structure visible inside.
The views from the top of the walls are also worthwhile. You can see the town with all its terracotta roofs below you.
The centre of town has pretty pedestrian streets offering shade from the daytime sun. The perfect time to get a coffee and tostada for lunch.
This completes the ultimate Algarve Travel Guide, I hope you find it useful and informative. If you visit any of these places please let me know and leave a comment below.