More than four million tourists visit the Algarve every year to enjoy its unique delights: the great soaring cliffs, the dramatic sea caves, the beautiful sandy beaches, bays and islands. Inland it’s just as lovely, with a multitude of tiny towns and villages to visit set in gorgeous countryside, which is dotted with nature reserves and World Heritage Sites.
Looking out at the Atlantic on two sides, this place is ideal for surfers, who particularly love the less-developed, less-visited west coast. The Algarve is home to many astonishing sights including Benagil Caves at Carvoeiro, a legendary natural seaside cave with a huge hole in the roof through which the sunshine glitters. It’s a truly magical place.
There’s lovely Sé, not far from Faro, built in the 1200s, badly damaged in the 1755 earthquake then rebuilt to create an outstandingly beautiful destination. Maybe you fancy immersing yourself in nature at the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa near Faro, a full 18,000 hectares of islands and lagoons stretching 60km along the Algarve coast, simply stunning from end to end.
As you can tell, your only problem is deciding where to base yourself!
Which part of the Algarve will suit you best?
The most unspoiled bits of the entire Algarve are at the far ends, places where you’ll find lovely traditional towns like Sagres and Tavira. The beaches to the east of Tavira are actually lagoon beaches with interesting sandbar islands and no cliffs. To the west near Sagres you’ll find dizzying cliffs with lovely beaches below them. Just bear in mind it can get pretty windy, exposed to the vast empty ocean.
For the ultimate in luxury travel, head for Vilamoura and Vale do Lobo. For endless partying and clubbing try central Algarve, between Faro and Lagos, also home to the region’s best-loved golden cliff beaches and the party destinations of Albufeira and Praia da Rocha.
Bearing all this in mind, here are three hugely popular Algarve resorts you’ll love.
Algarve resort 1 – Luz – 1 hour transfer time from Faro airport.
Praia da Luz, affectionately called Luz, is a family-friendly beach resort a lot like Burgau, just bigger and busier. There’s lovely fine sand to play in and lounge on, with shallow water that gradually deepens so it’s nice and safe for the little ones. Plus great amenities and loads of places to eat out.
The promenade is perfect when you have a buggy and there are places for the kids to play, too. A good golf course and dramatic cliff-side hiking trails complete the picture. No wonder it gets really busy.
- Take a catamaran cruise to Lagos
- Go rock climbing with an expert guide
- Tour the coast by boat for outstanding views
- Play tennis
- Enjoy an adventure hunt
- Learn Pilates
- Hire a jet ski
- Visit Luz castle
- Explore Luz Little Beach, full of exciting rock pools
- Go to dramatic Rocha Negra Headland
- Rent an electric bicycle
- Try a multitude of different watersports
- Lifeguards on duty from June – September
- Beach toilets, changing rooms and beach bars
- Wheelchair accessible sands with ramps from the town
Algarve resort 2 – Alvor – 45 minutes transfer time from Faro airport
Alvor is a pretty seaside town east of Lagos, across a lagoon from the town itself on the banks of the Rio de Alvore estuary. You’re in the middle of an official nature park, which hints at how beautiful it is here. The little fishing town has an ancient Moorish heritage. It’s full of good eateries and the sardines here are particularly tasty, famed worldwide. The river is tree-lined, nice and flat for easy strolling and perfect for baby buggies.
Walk for quarter of an hour or hire a bike to get to the beach, with its huge dunes, along handy wooden pathways across the protected wetlands. Think active and you get the picture – this place is perfect for canoeing, hiking, cycling, kite surfing, nature and bird watching. If you fancy some vibrant town life head for nearby Lagos and Portimão.
- Visit secret beach caves
- Go snorkelling
- Ride a horse
- Take a hot air balloon ride
- Enjoy a jeep tour of the coast and inland mountains
- Book a wooden boat ride to Lagos
- Take an official bird watching tour
- Cycle to Ferragudo
- Play and lounge on a choice of 3 beaches
- Visit lovely old churches
- Spend time in a winery
- Go to Alvor castle, where there’s a little playground for the kiddies
- Relax and get pampered at a Day Spa
- Wander around the town’s interesting cemetery
Algarve resort 3 – Lagos – 1 hour transfer time from Faro airport
Lagos is a busy traditional town and a regional culture hub, with a big marina full of gorgeous boats and a lively nightlife scene. All this makes the resort an excellent all-rounder. It’s also a popular hot spot for surfing, close to some incredible beaches, including Praia da Batata, which is the closest beach to the town.
Scenic coastal walking trails take you to the spectacular cliffs and stunning sandy beaches at Ponta de Peidade, amongst the most beautiful in the whole of Portugal. Praia de Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo alone will blow your mind. And so will the caves, accessible by kayak and boat.
Ponta de Peidade, with its legendary cliffs and rock formations, is a 25 minute walk along the coast, also reachable by beach bus and water taxi. Then there’s the family-friendly Porto de Mos beach and the lovely long sandy Meia Praia to experience as well.
- Kayak and boat trips to caves and hidden beaches
- Medieval fort and city walls to explore
- Official historical tours
- Tuk-tuk tours of the town
- Whale watching
- Small group wine tasting tours
- Guided bus tours
- The marina
- Tour the waters in a colourful sailboat
- Monte da Casteleja Bio Wine Farm
- Zoomarine Algarve
- Lagos Ciência Viva Science Centre
- Boat trips to the grottos at Ponta da Piedade
- The fascinating Slave Market Museum
- Beautiful Church of Santo Antonio
- Several excellent golf courses nearby
- Benagil Sea Cave tour
- The zoo
- The lighthouse
- A Sea Safari to spot dolphins
- Snorkelling
- A water park and treetop adventure park
Whether you’re into sun, sand, sea and clubbing, nature watching or the Algarve’s splendid traditional wines and cuisine, there’s a resort to suit you.
Countless official trips and treats are on the cards, many bookable in advance so you won’t miss out. You can even go on off-piste adventures by hire car or public transport, discovering numerous inland attractions off the beaten track. Why not check out our other in-depth guides to this stunning region of Portugal, and see what tickles your fancy?
Comment (0)