A favorite of the gods, the Algarve is as close to perfection as a beach destination can ever be! With 100 miles of coastline and 360 days of sunshine a year, this magnificent region of Portugal captures the magic of beach holidays and bottles them up in unforgettable memories. Home to some of the safest and best beaches in Portugal, the Algarve is one of the most popular beach destinations in Europe.
The stretches from Faro to Albufeira abound in resort hotels and tourist facilities adding luxury and comfort to impressive beaches and superb views. If you want to escape the tourist crowds, the beaches around Sagres and Tavira promise quieter vacations and more laidback resorts. Regardless of where you choose to base yourself for a tour of the Algarve, you’ll discover a land like no other in Europe, a sandy paradise ideal for long days in the sun and fun adventures on the water.
Embrace the Algarve’s raw beauty
Travelers visit the Algarve less for its resorts and more for its untamed beauty. The Algarve’s natural beauty dazzles from the first glance, a sublime concoction of green hills, orange and olive groves, figs, extraterrestrial cliffs and infinite ribbons of soft sand and a sea of shimmering blue. Ancient monuments, sleepy villages, graceful churches, and courageous forts contribute to the Algarve’s beauty and add fascination and authenticity to a scenery blessed by nature and loved by humans.
Hiking the Algarve coastline unveils sublime scenery ruled by spectacular cliffs, grottoes, sea caves, and beautifully sculpted rock formations and adorned with wild thyme, juniper, daffodils, and an abundance of cacti plants. One of the most beautiful nature trails will take you from Marinha Beach to Vale Centianes Beach revealing the beauty of Carvalho Beach and Benagil Beach along the away, as well as the majesty of the Alfanzina lighthouse.
Relax on fantastic beaches
Blessed with a warm climate where the cold of European winters has never found its place, the Algarve is the ideal beach destination. Looking for a vast beach caressed by calm waters? Praia da Amoreira is the beach for you. This wide beach takes you a long way from any steep cliffs and into the realm of velvety sand and warm lagoons.
One of the most beautiful beaches in Europe, Praia da Marinha awaits between Carvoeiro and Armação de Pêra, flanked by rugged cliffs and dressed in golden sands. Another spectacular presence in the Algarve, Praia do Camilo in Lagos may be small but its size doesn’t steal from its splendor guarded by tall cliffs and quirky rock formations. Praia Dona Ana is worldwide famous for its beauty created by dramatic rocks and cliffs. Just outside Sagres awaits the mystical Ponta Ruiva Alte, a splendid beach untouched by time and civilization.
Conquer the Atlantic Ocean
Adventurous travelers are invited to try and subdue the restless waves of the Atlantic. Praia de Odeceixe Mar is a spectacular destination for surfers in search of a challenge, who often gather at the River Seixe, while nudists enjoy the sun in all its splendor at the secluded cove of Praia de Adegas, a Blue Flag beach situated close by to the village of Odeceixe.
Praia do Amado is one of the best beaches for surfers in the Algarve, a beautiful sandy strip adorned with fine dunes and protected by rugged cliffs. The beach is often the scene of surf competitions and camps and a departure point for a scenic trail above the cliffs.
Walk the cobblestone streets
The Algarve’s urban scenery is just as fascinating as its natural beauty. The coastline gravitates around three important urban settlements: Sagres, Lagos, and Faro. Once thought to be the end of the Earth, Sagres is the westernmost point of Portugal, a relaxed surfer town and an ideal place to unwind on a different beach every day. Admire the views from Cabo de São Vicente and buy your souvenirs from one of the many ceramic shops in town.
Lagos is the keeper of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a pretty town adorned with white buildings and surrounded by spectacular rock formations. Praia Don Ana is one of the most picturesque destinations in Portugal, while Praia da Batata is an idyllic place to spend the day.
Faro is the largest city in the Algarve and the region’s capital but despite its importance, it’s also the less visited. However, Faro is more than just a departure point for the resort towns of the Algarve. It’s a historical and cultural destination with plenty of restaurants and hotels to keep visitors busy at least a few days. The nearby beaches shouldn’t be ignored either, especially if you want to discover the Algarve’s diverse landscape.
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