The Algarve: A Guide to Portugal’s Sunny Coastline
The Southern coastline of Portugal is something to behold. Deep blue waters play host to the large golden cliffs that shape the edge of the country. Sandy beaches line the coast offering incredible views of Mother Nature’s handiwork. Among the beaches, charming villages dot the edge of the country offering respite from the hot Portugal sun and surf. This region feels so different from the bustling towns of Porto and Lisbon, yet still carries the same soul and beauty that strums through the heartbeat of the country.
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Best Things to Do
Visit the Beaches
The Algarve plays host to over 150 different beaches, so there is no shortage to choose from. Some beaches are large and popular, while others are more secluded and require a bit of a hike to reach.
Praia da Marinha
Turquoise waters, soft sands, and limestone cliffs earned Praia da Marinha a spot on the top ten most beautiful beaches in Europe. This was my favorite beach in Portugal and is absolutely worth a visit!
The walk down to the beach requires a good bit of stairs, but once you reach the sand you’ll be glad you made the trip. I recommend getting here as early as possible so you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the pristine water and jagged cliffs. We arrived around 9am and were some of the first people there, but by noon crowds had flocked to the beach and most of the sand was occupied by towels and umbrellas.
If you get hungry, there’s a little restaurant on the beach serving sandwiches and snacks. It’s not the most exciting or delicious food in the world, but it’s perfect when you’re not ready to leave the beach yet but still need a break from the sun.
Kayaks are available to rent right on the beach, and you can venture out to explore the coast at your leisure.
Praia do Camilo
This beautiful beach in Lagos is another gem of Portugal’s coastline. Its golden sands are contrasted by bright blue water and rugged limestone cliffs. The most interesting aspect of this beach, though, is the cave connecting the two sides of the beach. If it had not been for us venturing into the cave, we would have never even known the second half of the beach existed.
While picturesque, Praia do Camilo is fairly small. For this reason, I would recommend arriving early to get a spot. By 11am, the sand was completely taken over by towels. It was almost difficult to even find places to step.
When you’re ready for a break from the sun, head back up the stairs to O Camilo, a little restaurant right down the boardwalk from the beach. They serve the BEST oysters I have ever had in my life – and I have eaten a lot of oysters!
Vale Do Covo
After visiting some of the most popular beaches in the region, we really wanted to find a secluded beach and get away from the crowds. Vale do Covo was exactly what we needed. This tiny beach overlooks a variety of impressive sea caves, which you can even swim into during low tide! The strip of sand here is small enough that it completely disappears at high-tide, so if you’re wanting a sandy beach make sure you check the tide charts before you go. We of course, didn’t check, and arrived at high tide. The walk down to the beach has quite a few flat rocks, so we laid our towels out on the rocks and sunbathed. We had the entire cove to ourselves (with the exception of a few tour boats checking out the caves), and it made for the most relaxing and quiet afternoon. Although it wasn’t the traditional “beach experience”, this was actually one of our favorite moments in the Algarve.
Explore Algar Seco
This scenic boardwalk guides you through Portugal’s rocky coastline and caves. The wooden boardwalk is short, only about a ten minute walk from one end to the other, but you’re able to venture down into the eroded areas of the coast and explore! There are caves, cliffs, and of course – deep blue water. This was a gorgeous experience!
See the Famous Benagil Cave
Benagil Cave is one of the most famous spots along Portugal’s coast. Because of this, thousands of tourists flock here each day to marvel at the views. If you’re going to visit, come early or do not come at all! We visited at 8am and it was packed by 9am (note: we visited during peak season in July).
The only two ways to reach the cave are by kayak or by boat tour. Boat tours are a great way to see a lot of the coastline, but you can’t actually dock the boat in the cave. If you want to roam around inside the cave, you’ll have to take a kayak. We rented a double kayak for about 30€ per person and it was very easy! I would recommend good footwear such as water sandals or hiking sandals as the rocks in the cave are quite painful to step on.
Hang out in Carvoeiro
We stayed in the lovely little town of Carvoeiro, so we spent a good deal of time here. During the day, people flocked to the beach and rented chairs and umbrellas to relax on the sand. In the evenings, the town lit up. Restaurants filled up with the day’s beach-goers, enjoying the live music held each night. The streets are lined with bars, gelato stands, and adorable ceramics and souvenir shops.
Enjoy a quiet dinner at Gum Tree and try their seafood cataplana, a traditional Algarve dish! This was our favorite meal on the Portuguese coast. It’s a family owned restaurant with great wine, fresh food, and fantastic service.
Explore the Old Town of Lagos
Spend some time wandering the narrow cobblestone streets and admiring the colorful buildings of Lagos. The streets are lined with cafés, creative artisan shops, and restaurants. There are several squares in Old Town to visit, the most famous being Praça Luis de Camões and Praça Infante de Henrique.
Marvel at the Views at Ponta da Piedade
Venture to the edge of Lagos to see one of the most remarkable views in Portugal – Ponta da Piedade. Massive golden cliffs loom high above the deep blue water, creating a stunning contrast only Mother Nature could have dreamed up. Stroll along the edge of the world, stopping to enjoy the views along the way.
You can explore Ponta da Piedade on foot, but I would highly recommend checking out a boat tour so you can really immerse yourself in the beauty of Portugal’s rugged coastline.
If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, you can also go kayaking or paddle boarding through the cliffs!
Explore the Fishing Village of Ferragudo
This charming little town sits only about ten minutes from Carvoeiro. The whitewashed houses, pastel colors, and quiet streets make it a beautiful place to go for a stroll and get lost. Stop for a lovely dinner in the main square, Praça Rainha Dona Leonor, where many restaurants offer open terraces and live music.
Where to Stay
Carvoeiro
We stayed in an adorable Airbnb in the heart of Carvoeiro. Our patio offered a view over the town and the beach, and was a beautiful place to enjoy the live music every night. Carvoeiro is a great central location to Praia da Marinha, Benagil Cave, Algar Seco, and Ferragudo, making it a great place to base yourself! There are quite a few more B&Bs and apartments here than hotels, so you’re likely to get a unique accommodation and a wonderful host.
STAYS IN CARVOEIRO:
AIRBNB | An adorable little Airbnb right in the center of Carvoeiro.
HOTEL CARVOEIRO PLAZA | A charming hotel in the heart of town, equipped with a pool and a rooftop bar.
CASTELO GUEST HOUSE | Resembling a castle, this gorgeous accommodation offers several different rooms with gorgeous views over the ocean.
Lagos
Lagos is much larger than Carvoeiro and the town offers much more to see and do. There are quite a few more restaurants, the nightlife is more exciting, and you have a larger variety of beaches to choose from. However, it is significantly more crowded than other regions of the Algarve. My recommendation is to determine what you want to do and see most, then base yourself nearest those attractions!
STAYS IN LAGOS:
HOTEL MARINA RIO | Situated on the Marina of Lagos, a short walk to old town or the beach.
CASA FLUXO | A unique stay with a terrace, outdoor pool, and fantastic hosts.
17 PARTY HOSTEL | As Lagos is known for its nightlife, I can’t write this list without including a party hostel!
Getting Around
There are two main ways to get to the Algarve – flight or train. Either option will place you in Faro, the main city along the Southern coast. From here, you can take a car or bus to visit the towns.
I highly recommend renting a car to easily navigate your way around the coast. While many of the towns themselves are walkable, it is difficult to get from one to the next and many attractions are spread out.
If you’re not interested in renting a car, taxi and uber are available in the area. Buses are also available and make quite a few stops along the coastline. This is a great affordable option for budget travelers, but the bus system here can be a bit confusing. The buses do not carry route numbers, and you must check the destination display on the front of the bus (it might just be written on a piece of paper and placed on the driver’s window). A tourist pass is offered for travelers who will frequently use the bus system – a 3 day pass is about 30€ and a 7 day pass is 38€.