The Ultimate 2024 Travel Guide to Algarve, Portugal: Best Towns and Beaches 🇵🇹 – Video

The Algarve region of Portugal is a must-visit destination for any travel enthusiast. With over 300 sunny days a year, it boasts some of the best beaches and surfing spots in the world. The region is home to beautiful towns full of historic monuments, preserving traces of both its Arab past and the charm from the time of the Portuguese discoveries. The major towns in the Algarve include Faro, Portimao, Albufeira, Lagos, Tavira, and Carvoeiro.

In addition to its picturesque towns, the Algarve is famous for its natural landmarks, including the Benagil Cave, Algar Seco, Ria Formosa, and Ponta de Piedade. The region is also home to some of the best beaches in the world, such as Praia da Falesia and Praia da Rocha.

With over 5 million tourists visiting the Algarve every year, it’s clear that this region of Portugal is a popular destination for travelers. This ultimate travel guide for 2024 provides an in-depth look at some of the best towns and beaches the Algarve has to offer, giving viewers a taste of what they can expect from their visit. Whether you’re interested in historic monuments, natural landmarks, or simply relaxing on stunning beaches, the Algarve has something to offer every type of traveler.

Watch the video by World Travel Guide

The Algarve region of Portugal is the best travel  destination in Europe. It has over 300 sunny days,   some of the best beaches in the world, and  beautiful towns full of historic monuments.   From here, the Portuguese went on their  historic journey to explore other peoples  

And cultures in the fifteenth century. The towns  of Algarve preserved traces of its Arab past,   and the charme from the time of  the Discoveries can still be felt   today. There is so much to see and do  here, so let’s kick off our journey!

Faro is the largest city in the Algarve with  around 70,000 inhabitants. Nevertheless, the   southern Portuguese town is rarely considered when  planning a vacation. One of three international   Portuguese airports is located in the busy port  city, which is why many Algarve holidaymakers  

Set foot at least briefly in the city area. As  a former Roman settlement, Faro still has some   traces from this period. The different corners  of Faro are all worth seeing in their own way.   You will always come across picturesque squares,  gardens and parks that invite you to take a short  

Break. The historic old town of Faro is surrounded  by a medieval defensive wall, the oldest parts of   which date back to the period of Moorish rule. The  predominantly white house facades of the old town   are occasionally interrupted by blue tiled walls –  the famous “azulejos”! And you can also find sharp  

Contrasts through facades with modern graffiti in  Faro. This diversity alone makes walks through the   old town a great option. There you will find some  of the sights that you can get a first look at,   including a cathedral and a palace. The Cathedral  of Faro is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese  

Of Faro, and is located 80 meters high on a hill  in the city. The Paco Episcopal Bishop’s Palace   is located in Faro’s old town, opposite the  cathedral, and dates back to the 17th century.   Faro’s history as a port city dates back all the  way to the year 500. However, there is little left  

Of the traces of the past. Today you will find a  modern promenade and opportunities for boat tours,   for example with the speedboat. Unlike  typical party places in the Algarve,   you will mainly meet a lot of locals  here. Since it is a university town,  

The people tend to be young. It’s not far  from the airport to the city, and during   the high season in summer, there is also a bus  with a direct connection to Faro city center. Olhão is a bit of a surprise. It’s not only  home to the biggest port in the Algarve and  

A busy fishing town with a hardworking vibe,  but it’s also the starting point for some of   the most breathtaking landscapes in the area and  some of the most stunning beaches in Europe. The   city itself is a colorful mix of attractions,  with the sea as the center of life. The main  

Source of livelihood has always been fishing, the  importance of which is reflected everywhere, in   the lively harbor where there is a hectic hustle  and bustle as the boats return with their catches,   or in the harbor fish market with its stalls full  of fish and seafood. The fishermen of Olhão are  

Legendary and famous for their skills. The first  canning factory opened its doors here in 1882,   setting off a trend that would extend  down the coast in both directions,   and soon canned sardines and tuna would  become the Algarve’s primary source of   income. With its box-shaped chimneys, flat  terraced roofs, and square whitewashed homes,  

Olhão’s old neighborhood has a very Moorish  character. Nossa Senhora do Rosário is a   seventeenth-century church, and the chapel  behind it is still where women of fishermen   go to pray for their husbands’ lives during  severe storms. There is also a lot of street  

Art in the town. The most interesting building  is probably the church decorated with graffiti. Tavira is a fantastic tourist resort and one  of the most picturesque towns in the Algarve.   Nestled along the peaceful Gilão River, Tavira  offers a wonderful mix of Moorish influences  

And traditional Portuguese ways of life. The  town sits on the eastern coast of the Algarve,   around 25 kilometers west of the Spanish border  and 30 kilometers east of Faro. This area offers   a more peaceful and serene vacation experience  than the central or western Algarve. It also  

Draws less tourists. Tavira was formerly a  Roman seaport that was later taken over by   the Moors. Its history is brought to life by  the charming Roman bridge, several churches,   and classic white-washed residences that are  beautifully decorated with Portuguese tiles. In  

The past, Tavira Castle was a Moorish stronghold.  You may now climb its ancient walls and towers to   get a bird’s-eye perspective of the town. Since  Tavira was essentially destroyed in the Great   Earthquake of 1755, a large number of its current  buildings were built in the 18th century. Tavira  

Is a big town, so there are many restaurants  and stores. It is not an ideal holiday spot   for people looking for a wild nighttime. A sizable  and vibrant expat community from the US, Brazil,   and the UK resides in the town. Tavira has lovely  beaches, but you’ll need to take a ferry to get to  

Them because none are accessible by foot. Since  the city is quite walkable, having a car is not   required. There are two train stations, and it  takes around 40 minutes to reach Faro by train. South of Faro lies the chain of barrier islands  and peninsulas that make up Ria Formosa Nature  

Park. This protected area covers more than  18,000 hectares and extends over 60 kilometers   between the beaches of Garrão and Manta Rota. This  location’s landscape is completely different from   that of any other Algarve location. The islands  provide gorgeous coastal lagoons and wetlands that  

Are a birdwatcher’s dream. They also act as a sort  of natural barrier against the ocean. However,   this area also has wonderful long beaches, white  sand dunes, and saltpans. These islands also   include a number of little fishing towns. They  are very quiet in the winter and come to life  

In the summer when a large number of tourists  visit. The islands of the Ria Formosa are an   absolute delight for anybody who enjoys the  sun and the water. These are Farol, Barreta,   Culatra, Armona, and Tavira, in that order  from west to east. The enormous beaches here  

Are mostly empty. Ria Formosa may be visited  in a number of ways. However, unless you have   many days to dedicate to this region, we advise  going on a boat excursion from Faro or Olhao. Located in the “Golden Triangle,” a group of  luxurious vacation communities west of Faro,  

You’ll find Vale do Lobo. It was built  between 1962 and the end of the 20th century,   and is considered Portugal’s best resort.  Although there are a few hotels and resorts,   the area is primarily residential, with a few  wealthy and famous Portuguese and foreigners  

Owning luxurious villas. It’s a popular resort for  golfers and more sophisticated tourists. There are   more than a dozen of the top tennis courts in  the Algarve in this area. The local beach is   very beautiful, but it remains uncrowded, even  during the summer months. The two golf courses  

In Vale do Lobo are some of the greatest  in Europe, because of their breathtaking   beach settings and difficult holes. In 1968, Sir  Henry Cotton designed the “Ocean Golf Course”,   and helped to make this resort a popular golf  destination. Vale do Lobo may be reached from  

Albufeira in around 40 minutes, and from  Faro and the airport in less than 30. Vilamoura is a holiday resort between Albufeira  and Faro, which was only created during the 1980s.   This holiday resort was built with tourism  in mind alone. The area has five excellent  

Golf courses that were created by golf superstar  Arnold Palmer, and one of the biggest marinas in   all of Europe. But the most interesting  attraction is the Museu Cerro da Vila,   which is home to an archeological excavation site  representing a Roman colony. Otherwise, Vilamoura  

Has a large number of cafés and restaurants.  The town is not necessarily unsightly now,   but actually not what you need – except, you want  to get rid of your money quickly. The prices in   the restaurants are easily two to three times as  high as on the rest of the Algarve. The best beach  

Here is Praia de Vilamoura to the east of the  town. It sits right by the marina and has long   stretches of golden sand. The beach extends to the  fishing port of the neighboring town of Quarteira. Algarve is famous for its beaches, and Praia da  Falésia is one of world’s most unique beaches.  

Between Vilamoura and Albufeira, this broad beach  with golden sand spans for more than 6 kilometers.   Its striking red sandstone cliffs, which vary  in color according on the light and weather,   are its most famous feature. It’s worth  visiting in any season because of the  

Amazing landscape. It is also a popular beach  for swimming in the summer, and certain parts   of the shore offer everything you need. Even  during the busiest summer vacation season,   when everything is packed, you may find a rather  calm beach by strolling a little distance from  

The main entry points. While it’s not quite  comparable to the surfing conditions at the   beaches nearer Sagres and on the Atlantic  coast to the west, this is still one of   the greatest beaches in the central Algarve  for surfing. The west end of Falésia Beach,  

Near Olhos de Agua, is its loveliest part. You  could walk this beach’s whole length in a couple   of hours. Parking is difficult, so your best  bet is to take a cab. Finding a parking space   near the major beach entrance is not always  simple, even during the off-peak months.

The most popular tourist destination in southern  Portugal is Albufeira. Its origins can be traced   back to the Roman period when it was known as  “Baltum”. Albufeira was a major fishing and   trade port for several centuries throughout  the Moorish era. The Arabic origin of the  

Name “Al-Buhera” is a reflection of the Moorish  history of the city. Albufeira is currently one   of the most desired destinations to stay in  the Algarve, and has the widest selection of   excursions and sightseeing trips in the region.  The historic fishermen’s area, the old town,  

Particularly the section on top of the cliffs,  and some of Albufeira’s most stunning beaches,   such as Praia dos Arrifes or Praia Sao  Rafael, attract over 300 thousand annual   visitors. Given the size of Albufeira, a lot  of its landmarks and attractions are spread  

Out across a large area. Walking down the shore  is an enjoyable way to go from place to place,   although it really does take a while. There are  so many fun things to do here, especially in the   summer season. You can go kayaking at St Rafael  Beach, do parasailing and ride a banana boat. The  

Youngsters will love attractions like Zoomarine,  an ocean-themed park, and Aqualand, a water park.   There are lots of great restaurants and cafés to  suit every taste and budget, and many entertaining   things to do for both kids and adults. The town  is also known for its excellent golf courses,  

And you can visit the area to enjoy world-class  golfing experiences. Albufeira is also rather   active during the off-season, especially when  compared to most other locations in the area. The most popular hike in the Algarve is the Seven  Hanging Valleys Trail, which is considered as one  

Of the greatest hikes in Europe. Between Praia  da Marinha and Praia do Vale de Centeanes,   it traces the shoreline. You can easily  reach one of the most picturesque sections   of the Algarve coast with this hike. It’s around 6  kilometers long, takes approximately 3 hours, and  

May be completed in both directions. The trail is  suitable for families and is not too tough. Don’t   underestimate it, though, as there isn’t much  shade. Thus, if you want to go hiking here during   your summer stay, get up as early as possible!  It is simple to follow the route in either way  

Because it is marked end-to-end with yellow and  red stripes painted on wooden poles or rocks.   While there are a few steep and uneven spots on  the main dirt walk, the most dangerous parts are   fenced for safety. There are also fences around  the numerous sinkholes. Along the entire path,  

There are many parking lots. Furthermore, there  is a picnic spot located a little bit east of the   Alfanzina lighthouse. The majority of people may  easily walk this excellent path without a guide. One of the most popular sights along the  southern Algarve coast is the Benagil Cave.  

The cave itself can be found between Albufeira  and Portimao, straight on the “Praia de Benagil”   beach. You would never realize from the shore that  a magnificent cave is tucked away in the center of   the craggy rocks of the Algarve. The two bulges on  the beach bank that go straight into the cave are  

Only visible while viewing the coastal scenery  from the water. The odd and magnificent shape   of the centuries-old rocks is revealed when  viewed from the inside. For most of the day,   the sun’s rays shine through the large opening in  the ceiling and make the cave’s rock formations  

Shimmer gold. The easiest way for visitors to  reach the cave is to swim almost 100 meters along   the coast from Praia de Benagil beach and from  there walk up one of the sandy cave entrances.  

If you prefer to visit the cave dry, you can  rent a kayak. The cave is accessible at any time   of the year, but stormy seas make it difficult  for visitors to get through the water safely. The town of Carvoeiro has everything that  tourists associate with the rocky Algarve.  

The seaside resort is located on a stretch of  coast characterized by rocky cliffs. A small   bay opens up by the sea, in which the city  beach Praia do Carvoeiro extends. Behind it,   houses with dazzling white facades and red  roofs are stacked on top of each other. If  

You are looking for a holiday home in Portugal  close to the beach, you will find it here. There   is no room for sprawling hotel complexes on this  section of the Atlantic coast. Since the 1950s,   individual tourists and families with children  have been drawn to this magical region. The  

Access road to Carvoeiro ends at the main square.  From there, you can reach the only church in town.   From the forecourt of the church you can enjoy  the wonderful view of the beach bay and the town   itself. The sunset is particularly impressive  and spectacular in the evening. The city beach  

Of Carvoeiro is framed by sand-colored rock  cliffs. To the delight of families with children,   high waves cannot build up due to the  sheltered location. During the peak season,   loungers and parasols are rented and a lifeguard  watches over the tourists. Anyone who spends their  

Vacation in Carvoeiro doesn’t just come here  to swim. Beautiful hiking trails lead over   the rocky cliffs to secluded bays. A brisk ten  minutes would be needed to walk the 600 meters   of the Carvoeiro Boardwalk, which connects the  Carvoeiro beach to the Algar Seco cliff region.

Located just outside of Carvoeiro, Algar Seco  is surely one of the best viewpoints in Algarve.   Here, you may admire a network of naturally  formed pools, arches, and holes in the rocks   that have been shaped over millennia by wind  and waves. You may walk into a tunnel to get  

Even more breathtaking views of the cliffs and  rocks, formed by the erosion of waves crashing   against them. There is also an interesting rock  formation known as “The Pinnacle.” You can access   Algar Seco by stairs, just under the Algar Seco  Parque Resort. When visiting Algar Seco, the  

Weather plays a big role. The stair access will  be closed due to unsafe conditions if the seas are   extremely rough. However, you may still explore  the cliffs. You are treated to a breathtaking   natural light display as the blowholes,  arches, and caves fill with color at sunset.

What youngster doesn’t want to get  up close and personal with a dolphin   or perhaps a whale? You may do this here in  the Algarve. Dolphins can be seen offshore,   particularly from March through November.  Joining a tour is the best option because  

The animals don’t usually come this  close to the coast. You have a very   good possibility of seeing a dolphin since  the guides are familiar with their typical   locations. Tours depart from all of the  main vacation spots and cost about 35 Euros.

As much as we love the coast in the Algarve, you  should also take a trip inland. We can recommend   Silves as a concrete destination. The historic  capital of the Algarve is often ignored by   tourists for the first time. Though it’s only  a short drive from the busy beach resorts, it  

Couldn’t be more different. Silves is an medieval  hilltop settlement with a castle on above,   and a panorama view of the surrounding  area. The town was once a major center,   and some sources even claim that it  was as spectacular as Lisbon. However,  

The 1755 earthquake severely damaged Silves, as it  did the rest of the area. The main attraction of   the town is the partly rebuilt medieval Moorish  castle, one of the few relics from its heyday.   Don’t miss seeing the Silves Cathedral, which  is very close to it. The Archeological Museum  

Is another must-see. The more genuine aspect of  the Algarve may be experienced here. Have a walk   along its narrow streets, eat lunch at one of  the local restaurants, then, depending on the   time of year, you could also visit some  neighboring vineyards or orange orchards.

Portimão is located around 70 kilometers from  Faro, in the middle of the popular holiday resorts   of the Algarve, between Lagos and Albufeira. One  cannot characterize the town as lovely. Although   the skyline of high-rise buildings doesn’t exactly  create a vacation vibe, Portimão is nonetheless a  

Popular tourist destination in the Algarve. But  the majority of visitors are lured to the hotels   in the nearby Praia da Rocha anyway. Portimão is  also a popular destination for shopping. Unlike   many holiday resorts in the Algarve, you can still  find everyday Portuguese life here. And there is  

Also delicious fish. The town center has a tiny  yet pleasant pedestrian area. If you’re seeking   for attractions, you should visit the Portimão  museum and the lovely waterfront promenade. The   long waterfront promenade runs along the Arade  River. Everything seems to have been renovated  

Quite recently. There are many restaurants around  where fish lovers can try grilled sardines. You   can also admire some of the boats that are moored  here. What’s particularly positive here is the   fact that there is a wheelchair path through the  entire town of Portimão. Every year in August,  

The Sardine festival is the most important  celebration here. From April to the end of   October, a number of dolphin viewing trips leave  daily from the harbor of Portimão. An enjoyable   pastime, particularly for families with kids.  The town has a train station that is on the  

Regional train route between Lagos and Faro.  From here, you can walk to the center of the   old town in just a few minutes. Portugal’s  premier motorsport circuit, the Autódromo   Internacional do Algarve, is situated close to  Portimão and opened to much fanfare in 2008.

Praia da Rocha is the main beach of  Portimão. This is where the Algarve’s   huge tourism industry started. It is currently  one of the most popular spots in the Algarve,   providing entertainment and pleasure  all day long. It’s a magnificent beach,  

Surrounded by rock formations. The breathtaking  rocks are a big attraction here. The name Praia da   Rocha translates literally to “Rocky Beach.” It’s  a fairly sandy beach too. This beach has gentle,   golden sand. You should bring flip-flops, since  the sand may get quite hot in the summer. When  

Walking down the beach, you’ll undoubtedly come  across a number of sandcastles. The sand is ideal   for families with little children. There are no  stones in the water here, and it’s incredibly   clean. The beach is rather large. It is both long  and wide, extending over a kilometer. The Arade  

River Estuary and the marina are close to the  beach’s east side. The beach extends as far as the   western rock formations dividing Praia da Rocha  and Praia dos Três Castelos. A wooden walkway   is located on the shore. There is also danger of  rockfall, if you sit too near to the rocks. Even  

Though there is plenty of space for everyone, it  may get quite busy during the peak season. A quick   trip to the Santa Catarina fortress should also  be included. On the eastern part of the shore,   this stronghold is set high on the cliffs. It was  build around 1620, and kept Spanish pirates away  

From Portimão and the river estuary. The fortress  can be reached by a staircase in the cliffs. In its two and a half millennia of history, Lagos  has hosted Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, and   Moors, all drawn by the harbor and its potential  for communication, strategic location, and  

Ultimately, dominance. Vasco da Gama sailed from  this location in search of what would eventually   be known as Brazil, and it was also from here  that Henry the Navigator issued expedition orders.   Numerous statues scattered throughout the town  honor former seafarers, such as Dom Sebastião,  

Whose 1578 effort to conquer territory in North  Africa ended in complete failure. Despite the   destruction caused by the earthquake, which  devastated much of the town and led Lagos to lose   its role as the capital of the Algarve in favor of  the less afflicted Faro, the historic city walls  

Are still preserved for tourists. Beautiful  beaches make up the majority of the visitor’s   appeal, and there are enough to pick from. While  there’s always room at the golden sands of Meia   Praia, which lies east of the town, the beaches  to the south are usually seen to be more lovely. A  

Game of golf with views of the ocean is available  at the Palmares, Boavista, and Alta courses in   Lagos, which is one of the Algarve’s prominent  golf destinations. There are several water parks   with thrilling attractions for younger guests, as  well as a zoo where they may swim with dolphins.

Ponta da Piedade is a breathtaking coastal site  that should not be missed. It’s also certainly   among Portugal’s best-known landmarks. Situated  just south of Lagos, this spot provides easy   access to some of the most stunning coastal rock  formations with sea caves and grottos that the  

Algarve is known for. You can drive there or even  walk from the old town. This place has an amazing   landscape, which becomes even more lovely after  dusk. Farol da Ponta da Piedade is a lighthouse   located here, however it is inaccessible, much  like the majority of lighthouses in the Algarve.  

Instead, you may use the area’s numerous coastline  walks to explore. The majority of the routes offer   amazing views, since they are perched high on  the cliffs. You may also get a closer look at   the grottos by descending the staircase that  leads to the water. From the water’s edge,  

You may get a great perspective of the Ponta da  Piedade area. Numerous boat cruises operate from   Lagos. Kayaking is another option for exploring  the shoreline if you happen to visit during the   hottest months. If you would rather travel by  boat, there are excursions that make use of tiny  

Boats that are built to allow them to explore  the majority of the grottos and sea caves. Set in the southwest of the Algarve area, Ponta  de Sagres is a wind-tossed shelf-like headland.   It is famous for being the location of Henry the  Navigator’s illustrious navigation school, from  

Where he planned many of Portugal’s most important  expeditions. Sagres Point is historically   significant to sailors because it provided  a safe haven for ships before they attempt   the dangerous voyage around Cape St. Vincent.  Henry’s fortification, Fortaleza de Sagres,   is also located here. This prison-like fortress  served as the main maritime defense system in  

The region for decades. The Great Earthquake of  1755 caused major damage to the sixteenth-century   structure. Although it was renovated in the middle  of the 20th century, the 16th-century tower is   still there. A massive 43-meter-diameter pebble  compass rose is visible after passing through  

A tunnel. There is a small entrance fee and it  is only accessible during the opening hours. Cape St. Vincent or Cabo de São Vicente, is the  southwesternmost point of continental Europe,   and a place that should be on your bucket  list. Sitting under the cliffs of São Vicente,  

Watching large waves crash on the coast beneath  your feet is an amazing experience. The cliffs   are surrounded by water on three sides. Europeans  used to believe that this place was the end of the   world. Yes, you may grasp that sense from here,  especially if you come here on a blustery winter’s  

Day. Farol do Cabo de São Vicente is a lighthouse  located here that has restrooms, a small gift   store, and a café. There are some food trucks in  the parking lot too. Not the lighthouse itself,   but the area surrounding it is open for visitors.  Everyday except on Mondays, it is open. You aren’t  

Really missing anything, though, because the  surrounding views are equally as beautiful even   if the site’s entrance is closed. Make sure  you walk along the whole length of the cape’s   shoreline and enjoy the views from the Fortaleza  de Santo António do Beliche, a nearby fortress.

Only a short drive from some very amazing  beaches on Algarve’s west coast is the   charming small market town of Aljezur.  The white houses of Aljezur rise from the   river up the slope to the walls of the castle  that once stood up there. Surrounded by green  

Hills and wide valleys that stretch from the  mountains in the east to the Atlantic Ocean in   the west. Overlooking a narrow river,  Aljezur is divided into two sections:   the Moorish-style western part, which has a  number of cottages beneath the destroyed   hilltop castle from the tenth century, and  the new eastern quarter, placed 600 meters  

Up a steep hill. The surroundings of Aljezur  are perfect for agriculture. Cereals, fruits,   and vegetables are grown. Sweet potatoes in  particular are of great economic importance   for the region. On the Atlantic coast, there  are dark rock walls, small, hidden bays,  

And large sand dunes. Praia da Arrifan,  Praia do Monte Clérigo, and the breathtaking   Praia da Amoreira at the mouth of the Ribeira de  Aljezur are the best beaches close to the town. The incredible Costa Vicentina sits  between the western part of the Algarve   and the Alentejo region on Portugal’s  west coast. Geographically, however,  

It is a part of the Algarve. It’s far from  any popular tourist attraction, stunning,   and wild. The region is home to the biggest  coastline park in Europe, spanning over 100   kilometers. Being a natural preserve, this area  is unspoiled and far from large-scale tourism.  

Costa Vicentina is the perfect destination  for a laid-back, romantic family vacation with   occasional stopovers. The rolling waves and strong  winds of Costa Vicentina have long drawn surfers,   even if the area may not be on most people’s  travel radars. There are many surf schools here.  

Keep in mind that learning to surf is best during  the summer. Only very experienced surfers should   attempt the waves in the fall and winter. Offering  many routes, the famous Rota Vicentina is a   long-distance hiking path. The main routes are the  Historic Way and the popular Fishermen’s Trail.

What’s your favorite place in the Algarve?  Share your opinion with us. If you loved   this video, hit the like button and  subscribe for more amazing content.

Video “ALGARVE Ultimate Travel Guide 2024 🇵🇹 Best Towns & Beaches | Portugal” was uploaded on 02/11/2024. Watch all the latest Videos by World Travel Guide on Gretopia