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Best things to do in Portugal’s Algarve

The Algarve coast of Portugal is well-known for it’s beautiful white sand beaches and stunning cliffside ocean views. But figuring out where to start and where to go when you’re planning your travels can always be tricky. You have probably seen the photos of the beautiful Algarve coasts, but where can you find these perfect Instagram spots in the Algarve?

I recently went on a girls trip to road trip along the coast of the Algarve. We were celebrating all turning 30 and needed it to be a trip to remember. Therefore, I of course started planning the trip and researching every area we should visit and how to get the most out of the different spots. After going on out trip I have gathered a list of the best things to do in the Algarve that I would love to share with you in this post. Hopefully you can get some inspiration and starting planning your own trip ASAP.

If you want to learn more about the best towns to visit along the coast, you can find all my thoughts my blog post about the top 5 destinations to visit in the Algarve.

Go on a boat

You cannot go to the Algarve coast without doing a boat tour. No matter which city you’re staying at along the coast, there will be plenty of options for going on boat trips. Of course, you need to choose the right type of boat trip for you, as there is quite a large selection to choose from. Since we arrived somewhat off season, we simply went to the harbor of Lagos and talked to the different companies lined up and booked a tour on the spot. If you are travelling during a more busy time, it may be a good idea to pre-book if you want to make sure you get the tour you’re looking for. You definitely won’t be in shortage of boat tours.

My suggestion is to first do a bit of research and figure out exactly what you want out of the tour. Do you want a full day trip with lunch included? Is swimming a must or are you more looking to relax and watch the views? Do you want to be in a bigger group or have a private tour? All of this comes into account when choosing the right boat tour in the Algarve for you.

Explore the caves

One of the things the Algarve is most known for is the cliffs and caves you can find along the coast. These are therefore a must-see when you’re planning your trip to the Algarve. There are several ways to explore the caves, and which one works best depends on your preferences. You can’t necessarily reach the caves by foot, so this is definitely something you need to take into account when planning for which caves you’re going to visit.

One of the most famous caves, the Benagil cave, is generally reach by water entrance. You will see a range of boat tours offering trips to the Benagil, some in which you can get out and into the cave, and some in which you only see it from the boat. This is important to take note of, so you make sure you get to see if how you like. There are also boat tours offering kayaking, which generally gives you better access directly to the caves if you want to get as close as possible.

Coastal walks

If you’re more keen on exploring the beautiful coastal views from foot, you have to go on the coastal walks along the Algarve. There are set paths all along the coasts which you can follow to get to all of the best views of the Algarve. The paths are well marked and easy to get around which makes them the perfect activity for any kind of fitness level. You can choose to do longer or shorter stretches completely depending on your needs. Be mindful that there is not a lot of shade along the paths, so please remember to bring water, sunscreen and preferably a hat if you’re visiting during the hot months.

Chill on the beaches

Something I often to forget to include in my own itineraries is time for relaxing on the beach. I actually regretted this on our trip, as the Algarve coast has the most amazing beaches and beautiful water to swim in. This is the perfect place for a beach day, so if you have the patience and time, please don’t skip out on it. This is truly one of the places where I would recommend to take it a bit more slow and make time for actual relaxation. Don’t rush and try to do everything while not enjoying what is the actual essence of the Algarve coast.

Walk in the steps of Dinosaurs

Something I only discovered while visiting the Algarve was that you can find actual foot prints from dinosaurs along the coast. You probably don’t associate the Algarve with dinosaurs, but tucked away on Salema Beach you can find footprints that are more than 100 million years old. Head towards the western end of the beach, where a series of three-toed footprints can be found across a large rock platform near the cliffs. Try to visit around low tide, when you can walk along the beach and climb onto the rock slab for a closer look. They’re surprisingly easy to miss if you don’t know they’re there, which makes finding them feel even cooler. Definitely worth a quick stop if you’re looking for a unique experience.

Wander the streets

The coastal towns around the Algarve offer a unique and different look to the towns you find in the more Northern parts of Portugal. Almost more so resembling the Greek islands with narrow streets of white and blue colored houses, while still including aspects of the famous Portuguese tile style. Though there is a lot of beauty to discover among the old towns and streets along the Algarve coast, you will have to prepare yourself for a lot of hills. However, it is all worth it for the vibes and also adds a sense of achievement – which is not the worst if you spent the whole day relaxing at the beach.

Go to the mountains

If you’re getting sick of the beach or just want to explore some different types of views, you can also find some amazing spots to visit in the mountains around the Algarve region. Whether you want to visit one of the cute mountain town, such as Silves, or go for a hike, there are plenty of options. If you’re not quite done with swimming, there are also a couple of great waterfalls to discover. I went to one near Tavira, Cascata do Pego do Inferno, which was very easily accessible, surrounded by fruit plantations and offered great swimming opportunities. I would definitely recommend this for a quick stop by if you have some extra time on your hands and want to go for a swim without being covered in beach sand.

Explore the sealife

To be completely honest, I did not actually go for a boat trip to watch dolphins. However, dolphin watching is one of the most highly rated experiences to do in the Algarve, and therefore I will include it in this post. I have seen dolphins in my life many times, which is why I did not specifically go on this trip. But, if you have not, and you want to meet these beautiful creatures, the Algarve is the perfect place to spot dolphins. I will recommend you to do a thorough investigation of the company you choose to go with to ensure it is one that puts effort into respecting the wildlife rather than disturbing it.

Eat all the seafood

Lastly, you of course cannot go to the Algarve without eating and drinking everything that the coast has to offer. It goes without saying, that you can find some of the most fresh and delicious seafood. Anywhere you go you will have an offering of everything the ocean has to offer, and this is the place to get it. So don’t hold back and enjoy all the yummy food. Bonus tip, if it’s your first time in Portugal, you of course also have to get a pastel de nata. A pastry filled with egg custard.

Thanks for reading!

Thank you for taking some time to read this post, I sincerely hope you can take some inspiration from it when you plan your next travels to the Algarve. If you need anymore tips on the best things to do in the Algarve, don’t hesitate to reach out!