Portugal's Algarve has lots of incredible sights. Visit golden beaches like Praia da Marinha and Praia de Benagil. Discover the magnificent caves along the coast by boat. Explore Faro's old city centre and its charming streets and squares. The Albufeira and Lagos fishing villages have cute restaurants and colourful houses. The historic city of Silves and its Mediaeval castle is also worth a visit.
Besides the well-known sights, there is so much more to discover in the Algarve. The picture-like village of Tavira is known for its bridges and Roman ruins. Ponta da Piedade's cliffs in Lagos offer a heartstopping view of the Atlantic Ocean. For a peaceful day by the sea, heat on over to Cacela Velha's lagunes.
Want to walk straight to the beach from your hotel? Choose a hotel in 1 of the Algarve's seaside resorts. You'll find golden sandy beaches, picturesque bays, and a bustling nightlife in the popular beach resort of Albufeira. The Lagos and Carvoeiro seaside resorts are somewhat quieter and lend themselves for outings. For example, grab a boat from Carvoeiro and go admiring the surrounding caves.
You'll need some time if you want to see everything in the Algarve. A must-visit is the Ria Formosa Nature Park, a 60-kilometre long lagoon with sandbanks, white beaches, and unique flora and fauna such as the spoonbill and even dolphins. Go on a wine tour and taste the local wines. Fan of golf? You'll find several golf courses in the Algarve with rolling hills, challenging holes, and often a beautiful view. Prefer something more active? Go surfing and tackle the waves. For this, you should head to Odeceixe on the west coast or Zavial on the south coast.
The Algarve is known for its delightful cuisine. In Faro, you'll find traditional Portuguese meals like bacalhau and the cataplana seafood stew. Lots of restaurants have a brilliant view of the sea, making for a unique eating experience. Visit a local restaurant for an authentic meal or go for dinner at a chic restaurant.
Besides delicious food, the Algarve also offers magnificent hiking routes. The region is known for its breathtaking coastline and wonderful nature parks. The Rota Vicentina and the Via Algarviana are the most popular hiking routes. Walk along the cliffs and bask in the view of the azure ocean, while enjoying the olive tree and orange tree gardens on the mainland. The Serra de Monchique is also highly recommended, with its green mountains and natural hot water springs. You'll pass by various villages on the way, where you can have a pit stop for a drink and a local snack.
Faro is the capital of the Algarve and is partly built on white rocks. The city has a rich history and is full of buildings and remains from Roman times. For example, don't miss the 2,000 year-old city walls in the old Vula Adento part, or the Sé de Faro cathedral. This church was destroyed and later restored, and is now a mishmash of architectural styles.
Don't skip out on the delicious food during your city trip in Faro. Many restaurants in Faro serve traditional Portuguese dishes, like bacalhau (dried cod) and cataplana (fish stew). The old city centre offers eateries with wonderful atmospheres, ideal for unwinding and soaking up the view. Here, you will eat sardines from the grill, piri piri chicken, and of course, the Portuguese sweet pastry pastel de nata.
Faro is the perfect place to have an unforgettable evening. You'll find many fun bars and cafes in the historic centre, many of which offer live music, from fado to modern hits. For those of us who like dancing, there are enough clubs and discos that are open until the wee hours of the night.
The Algarve's weather is mostly sunny and warm. In the summer, you will be treated to hot days with temperatures of around 30°C, perfect for a beach holiday. In the winter, the weather stays mild, with temperatures around 15°C and 20°C, making it the ideal destination for a holiday in the winter sun. It rarely rains in the Algarve, making it an enjoyable destination for an active holiday in nature, even in the winter months.
