Algarve Travel Guide

Which Town to Base Yourself In

Lagos — the party/adventure base

The best pick for most first-timers. Compact old town, walkable, tons of restaurants, and the cliff scenery (Ponta da Piedade, Praia do Camilo) is right there. Boat tours to Benagil cave leave from the marina. Nightlife exists if you want it, skippable if you don't.

Tavira — the quiet, authentic base

Eastern Algarve, on a river. Whitewashed and calm. Beach is on an island reached by a 5-minute ferry — you feel like you have it to yourself. Best pick if Lagos sounds too busy.

Faro — the airport base

Faro has the international airport but isn't a beach town — it's the departure/arrival city. One night to see the old walled center, then move on. Skip as a full-week base unless you're doing bird-watching on the Ria Formosa.

Albufeira — skip unless you specifically want resorts

Big British-package-tour scene. Nothing wrong with it if that's what you want, but you're skipping the actual Algarve.

The Beaches Worth Driving For

Praia do Camilo (Lagos)

Iconic Algarve — a wooden staircase down to a small cove between two cliffs. Small beach, book early or go before 10am. The one photo everyone comes home with.

Praia da Marinha (Lagoa)

Regularly ranked in "world's most beautiful beaches" lists. Big, cliffy, less crowded than Camilo because you have to drive to it. Walk the cliff path east for jaw-dropping views.

Benagil Cave

The famous sea cave with a hole in the ceiling. You can't walk to it — kayak, SUP, or boat tour from Marinha or Portimão. Don't attempt to swim to it, currents kill people every year.

Praia da Falésia (Albufeira)

Miles-long stretch of red-orange cliffs. Best sunset walk on the Algarve.

Praia de Cacela Velha (Tavira area)

Reach it by a sandbar walk at low tide. Feels like a secret. Bring water; there's one bar.

Best Things to Do (Besides Beach)

• Ponta da Piedade cliff walk — a paid tour is nice, but you can walk the cliff paths free from Lagos in about an hour each way
• Kayak or SUP into Benagil — book at Marinha beach, 2-hour trips are €30–40
• Boat trip from Lagos marina — dolphin watching or cave tours, both €30–50
• Sagres and Cape St. Vincent — the southwestern corner of Europe, big cliffs, big surf, small fishing town
• Ria Formosa day trip — protected lagoon, boat trip from Faro or Olhão, flamingos and seahorses
• Silves castle — Moorish castle in a quiet inland town, 30-minute drive from the coast

Food

• Grilled fish and seafood — the entire coast does this. Sardines in summer, sea bass and dorada year-round. Ask what came in that morning.
• Cataplana — the region's signature stew, cooked in a copper clam-shaped pot. Seafood cataplana is the classic; pork versions exist.
• Percebes (goose barnacles) — weird-looking, expensive, delicious. A splurge worth trying once.
• Piri-piri chicken — spicy grilled chicken. The Algarve claims it, though everyone in Portugal makes it.

Getting There and Around

From Lisbon: 3-hour train to Faro (€22) or 2.5-hour drive on the A2. From the US: fly to Lisbon and connect, or fly Faro direct via London/Frankfurt/Madrid. Faro's airport is 10 minutes from town.

You'll want a rental car for beach-hopping — public transit exists but wastes hours. Small car, €25–40/day off-season. Park in Lagos and walk the old town; drive to beaches.

When to Go

• May–June: Perfect. 75°F, water starting to warm, restaurants have tables, no crowds.
• July–August: Peak. 85°F, packed, hotel prices double. Book far ahead.
• September–October: Best all-around — water is warmest of the year, weather is beach-ready, prices dropping.
• November–April: Quiet, cool (55–65°F), some restaurants close. Fine for walking, wrong for beach.

Gear We Recommend for Portugal

Eight travel essentials that make a Portugal trip smoother — from cobblestone-ready shoes to a plug adapter that won't quit.

Related Reading

• Portugal Travel Guide (Pillar)
• Lisbon Travel Guide
• Porto Travel Guide
• Portugal on a Budget