The Algarve coast stretches for many miles, with bustling popular resorts strung along it like beads on a necklace. It’s a famous holiday destination, a world class place to relax, and it can get pretty crowded. But take a deeper look and there are plenty of off-piste mini-adventures to enjoy, each more Instagrammable than the last. Here are three unusual and very beautiful Algarve destinations to add extra spice to your holiday.
Marvel at Praia dos Estudantes
Praia dos Estudantes is a tiny beach in Lagos with a world-class photo op secret. A beach in two parts, the beach at the other end of the tunnel through the cliff is quieter, a hidden gem for those after a mellow, chilled place to enjoy the sun, But the star of the show is the extraordinary golden stone bridge whose elegant arch spans a dizzying drop.
This enormous bridge looks Roman but actually isn’t. It’s Roman-style. This awesome arch joins the eroded cliffs in the middle of the beach, the highlight of Praia dos Estudantes. It was originally part of the Pinhão Fortress, flattened by an earthquake in the 1700s. You can still walk across it, which is impressive enough with high-up views of the surroundings and the sea, but to be honest the views are best from down below, highlighting the majesty of the structure. The low tide views are best of all. You can get right under the bridge for uber-dramatic shots.
The beach is surrounded by quirky rock formations extending out to sea, sheltering the sands from the typically strong winds. You arrive at the north end and make your way to the southern half via one tunnel. This southern tunnel is heavily eroded by the sea. There’s a second tunnel, the northern tunnel, leading to Praia da Batata.
The sand on Estudantes beach is hard and coarse, with shells for the kids to collect. The seas are calm but chilly so it’s perfect for a hot weather paddle. The water’s lovely and clear, ideal for swimming and the beach itself is popular for sunbathing. And because you’re within walking distance of Lagos, lunch is never far away!
The beach walk is nice, taking you on foot from Praia da Batata to Praia dos Estudantes. Walk along to the small cave to the right of the bridge, when the tide’s low, to stroll all the way to scenic Praia do Pinhão, impossible when the tide’s high. Make sure you check the tide times first.
You can rent a kayak to photograph the bridge from the water and get more spectacular shots. If you’d rather stay here than go to Lagos for food there are places to eat. The basic restaurant on top off the cliffs called Mar Restaurante Bar, complete with magical views, and there’s also a little beach bar on Praia da Batata.
Find colourful treasures at traditional pottery shops
Souvenirs can be tricky. Do you want to bring back a load of plastic tack or something a bit special? Some of the best Algarve souvenirs are local pottery, a gorgeous thing for every kind of kitchen, dining room or wherever else there’s room for a piece of practical art. The pottery here is colourful, vivid and cheerful, exemplifying your holiday with its rich colours and exotic designs.
Cerâmica Paraíso in Raposeira and Artesanato a Mó in Sagres are both good. Paraiso Artesano offers pretty buildings decorated with colourful wares from the store, beautiful ceramic dishes and souvenirs. Drive from Lagos along the N125 towards Sagres and twelve and a half miles later you’ll find one of the biggest and best selections of locally made pottery.
This is more of a warehouse than a shop, offering a lot more than pottery for sale. Their ‘seconds’ section is great for bargains. It’s pottery with small faults you can easily overlook, just as beautiful as the perfect versions. Bear in mind they only take cash.
The Olaria Pequena or Little Pottery offers more lovely ceramics plus a print studio and shop, easy to find just outside the village of Porches. This old farmhouse is home to a British potter and his family, whose functional tableware and tiles are illustrated with local themes like olives and lemons. The designs are more contemporary and fresh than the rest, equally attractive as the traditional styles made by other local potters, and the prints – on hand made paper – are luscious.
This is the studio of Glaswegian Ian Fitzpatrick, who moved here in 1981 and never left. We don’t blame him! Originally working with the Portuguese potter Jorge Mealha, he founded Olaria Pequena – and the rest is history. Ian and his daughter Molly create the beauty, Molly having done her Fine Art degree in Falmouth. What a lovely life they have.
Not only do the pots make lovely gifts. They’re so photographable! When every item in your crockery cupboard is a little work of art, life is so much better.
The crazy coloured cliffs at Praia da Falésia beach
Praia da Falésia beach has so much to offer, but the biggest magic of all is the crazy cliffs, patterned in vivid red and white. This massive beach always has space to spare. It’s too huge to get properly crowded. And the cliffs make it an Instagrammer’s heaven.
Think about a Grand Canyon on the coast and you sort of get the picture. It’s actually mind-blowing, one of the best beaches in the Algarve. Three and three quarters of a mile long, the sand curves off into the distance, backed by deep blue waters. It stretches from Vilamoura in the east to Olhos de Água in the west, not far from Albufeira, and the sand is lovely and soft.
Clean, clear water and the pine trees and flowers lining the cliff edge add even more beauty to the scene, with the scent of the pink spiny thrift and white sand lilies accompanying you. No wonder 2018 saw Praia da Falésia voted the number one beach in Portugal, third best in Europe and the 12th best beach in the World by TripAdvisor.
Reliably clean, it consistently gets the all-important Blue Flag. There’s much more than sunbathing to enjoy. A long, romantic beach walk will keep you fit as well as happy, with extraordinary rock formations to the west towards Praia da Rocha Baixinha and the east to Praia do Barranco das Belharucas. It should take you a couple of hours each way.
Locals collect delicacies like clams at low tide, the hiking trail along the cliffs far above comes with incredible views, and the beach itself is split into two distinct areas, each with its own charms. To the west you’ll find the famous red cliffs, wide sands, shallow water and popular hotels. Walk out 150 feet and it’s still safely shallow, making it perfect for kids. There are water sports too, good for children, teens and adults, plus a surf school and places to eat. To the east towards Vilamoura there’s the Alfamar section with its ever-smaller cliffs, less dramatic as you keep going east but the sand is just as perfect and the vibe just as relaxed.
More quirky destinations on the Algarve
We’ll feature more quirky destinations in the Algarve for you to discover. It’s entirely possible to spend your entire time off the beaten tourist track so check back and see the other strange, weird and always-wonderful oddities we’ll be covering.
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