Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or a full summer holiday, here are the best places to visit in Algarve
1. Praia da Falésia — One of the Algarve’s Most Beautiful Beaches
Stretching for over 6 kilometers, Praia da Falésia is famous for its stunning red cliffs and soft golden sand. It’s perfect for long walks, sunbathing, swimming, or simply enjoying the incredible coastal scenery.
Why visit:
✦ Crystal-clear water ✦ Incredible sunset views ✦ Great beach bars and restaurants nearby ✦ Perfect for couples and families Tip: Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the best lighting and fewer crowds.
2. Benagil Cave — The Algarve’s Most Famous Sea Cave
No trip to the Algarve is complete without visiting the iconic Benagil Cave. This natural wonder, accessible only by sea, is one of Portugal’s most photographed locations. The best way to explore it? Join a boat tour from Albufeira and discover hidden beaches, sea caves, and stunning rock formations along the coastline.
Popular experiences:
✦ Boat tours ✦ Kayaking adventures ✦ Catamaran cruises ✦ Dolphin watching tours This is one of the most unforgettable activities in the Algarve.
Ria Formosa – A Hidden Natural Paradise
Ria Formosa Natural Park is one of the most beautiful and unique places in the entire Algarve and still surprisingly unknown to many visitors. Unlike the dramatic cliffs of the western coast, this is a calm, peaceful world made up of lagoons, sandbanks, islands, and shallow turquoise channels that stretch along the eastern Algarve. It’s actually a protected natural park and one of the most important wetlands in Europe, especially for birdlife and marine ecosystems. But for travelers, it feels like a slow, relaxing escape where time moves differently. The Ria Formosa Natural Park is characterized by the presence of a coastal sandy dune barrier (beaches and dunes) that protects a lagoon area. Part of the lagoon system is permanently submerged, while a significant portion becomes exposed during low tide. The average depth of the lagoon is 2 meters.
Highlights:
✦ Coastal lagoon protected by sand dunes ✦ Mix of submerged and exposed areas depending on tides ✦ Calm, shallow waters (average 2m depth) ✦ Rich biodiversity and birdlife ✦ One of Portugal’s most important natural parks ✦ Perfect for boat tours and island hopping
Sagres - The Wild Edge of Europe
Sagres is one of the most dramatic and untouched areas in the Algarve. Located at the far southwest tip of Europe, it feels raw, powerful, and completely different from the rest of the region. Here, you’ll find massive cliffs facing the endless Atlantic Ocean, strong winds, wild beaches, and some of the most incredible sunsets in Portugal. It’s a place where nature takes full control. Simple, quiet, and unforgettable.
A little history of Sagres
Sagres is deeply tied to Portugal’s Age of Discoveries and is closely associated with Prince Henry the Navigator, one of the key figures behind the country’s early exploration in the 15th century. It is believed that Prince Henry established a navigation school in nearby Vila do Infante, turning this remote part of the Algarve into an important base for studying the Atlantic and planning early sea routes. From here, Portuguese sailors set out on voyages that would later shape the country’s global maritime history. Not far away, Cape St. Vincent was once seen by ancient civilizations as the “end of the known world”, marking the final edge of Europe. Today, standing on these cliffs, you still get a sense of that history, a feeling of being right at the edge of something vast and unknown.
Highlights:
✦ Dramatic cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean ✦ Iconic Cabo de São Vicente lighthouse sunsets ✦ Wild, untouched landscapes at the edge of Europe ✦ Strong surf waves and famous surf spots ✦ Peaceful, less crowded compared to central Algarve ✦ Incredible viewpoints over the endless ocean ✦ Rich connection to Portugal’s Age of Discoveries ✦ One of the best sunset locations in Portugal