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The Algarve

Portugal Travel Guide

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

©Juampiter/Getty Images

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Overview

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.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Downtown of Faro with Se Cathedral in the morning with orange tree in the foreground, Algarve, Portugal 1472097846 building, view, orange, portuguese, historical, faro

    Sé

    Faro

    The centrepiece of the Cidade Velha, the sé was completed in 1251 but heavily damaged in the 1755 earthquake. What you see now is a variety of Renaissance…

  • View to Ria Formosa Natural Park, Algarve, Portugal 1889985748

    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…

  • the capela dos ossos at the Igreja do Carmo in the old town of Faro at the east Algarve in the south of Portugal in Europe. 636696062 Portuguese Culture, Faro - Portugal, Tomb, Grave, Cemetery, Old Town, Bizarre, Famous Place, Architecture, Human Skull, Human Bone, Algarve, Portugal, Europe, Chapel, Church, skelet, Igreja Do Carmo, Capela Dos Ossos

    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…

  • Algarve coastline

    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…

  • Castelo

    Castelo

    Silves

    This russet-coloured, Lego-like castle – originally occupied in the Visigothic period – has great views over the town and surrounding countryside. What…

  • Benagil Caves

    Benagil Caves

    Carvoeiro

    One of the Algarve's – and Portugal's – most emblematic sights, this huge natural seaside cave has a hole in its ceiling through which streaming sunlit…

  • Sé

    Sé

    Silves

    Just below the castle is the sé, built in 1189 on the site of an earlier mosque, then rebuilt after the 1249 Reconquista and subsequently restored several…

  • Museu de Portimão

    Museu de Portimão

    Portimão

    Housed in a 19th-century fish cannery, the ultramodern, award-winning Museu de Portimão is the city's number-one draw. The museum focuses on three areas:…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Dramatic cliffs, deserted islands, dolphin-watching tours, decadent dinners and more will fill your senses in the Algarve.

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Best Places to Visit

The cliff-top towns, rugged coast and inviting beaches of the Algarve hit all the right notes for surfers, seaside holidayers and everyone in between.

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Best Time to Visit

The natural beauty of the Algarve's cliff-backed golden beaches is obvious year-round, but you may experience the region differently in some seasons.

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Things to Know

Make the most of your visit to Portugal’s Algarve with these local tips, ideal for first-timers.

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Transportation

You'll find offbeat beaches, orange groves, flamingos and more in the Algarve. Here's how to get around.

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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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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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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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