Kayaks navigate through the crystal waters of Praia Dona Ana, Lagos.

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The Algarve

Soaring cliffs, sea caves, golden beaches, scalloped bays and sandy islands draw over four million visitors to the Algarve each year. Surrounded on two sides by the Atlantic, it's a paradise for surfers, especially along the refreshingly undeveloped west coast.

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Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Start planning your trip

Best Time to Visit

Best Places to Visit

Attractions

Must-see attractions for your itinerary

Parque Natural da Ria Formosa
Faro
Encompassing 18,000 hectares, this sizeable system of lagoons and islands stretches for 60km along the Algarve coastline from west of Faro to Cacela Velha…
Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo & Capela dos Ossos
Faro
One of the Algarve's most dazzling churches, this twin-towered baroque masterpiece was completed in 1719 under João V. After the 1755 earthquake, its…
Ponta da Piedade
Lagos
Protruding 2.5km south of Lagos, Ponta da Piedade is a dramatic wedge of headland with contorted, polychrome sandstone cliffs and towers, complete with a…
Praia da Ilha de Tavira
The Algarve
This huge white-sand beach at the island's eastern end, opposite Tavira, has operators for water sports (such as windsurfing and kitesurfing), beach bars…
Milreu Ruins
The Algarve
Situated 900m west of Estói, these Roman villa ruins are so large and grand they were originally thought to have been a town. The villa, inhabited from…
Cabo de São Vicente
Sagres
Europe’s southwesternmost point is a barren headland 6km northwest of Sagres' town centre that was the last piece of home that Portuguese sailors once saw…
Praia de Faro
Faro
On the Ilha de Faro, 9km west of the centre, the town's beach has sweeping sand, windsurfing and kitesurfing operators, and a handful of cafes. It's…

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Planning Toolkit

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do
Money and Costs
Free Things to Do
Best Road Trips

Best Things to Do
Fill up your senses in the Algarve. Incredible beaches, world-class restaurants and scenic walks are among our top things to do in the Algarve.
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Money and Costs
When planning a trip to the Algarve region in southern Portugal, you can save money with these top 10 tips.
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Free Things to Do
If you’re looking for the best free things to do in the Algarve in Portugal, start off with these top activities.
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Best Road Trips
If you’re looking for the best road trips through the Algarve, don’t miss these five top drives, taking in hilltop villages and stunning coastal scenery.
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Articles

Latest stories from The Algarve

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Hiking

The top 5 most spectacular hikes in the Algarve

Jul 23, 2023 • 6 min read

The Algarve has some of the best scenery and wildlife in Portugal. See it up close on one of our 5 favorite hikes in this sundrenched corner of Iberia.