The Algarve, Portugal's sun-drenched southern coast, is a place of golden cliffs, sea caves and coves of impossibly clear water. Between whitewashed fishing towns and lively marinas, it enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine a year and a laid-back pace that makes it easy to switch off.
It suits almost everyone: families love the gentle beaches and calm sea, couples fall for the sunsets over the cliffs, and anyone curious about history will find Moorish castles and cobbled old towns just a short drive inland.
Make sure you visit:
Start in the west at Ponta da Piedade, near Lagos, where golden rock arches and pillars rise straight out of the sea. Go early in the morning for the softest light and fewer people. Heading east along the coast, the famous Benagil Cave can only be reached from the water, so join a boat trip or a guided kayak tour to see its domed ceiling open to the sky.
Once you've had your fill of the coast, drive inland to Silves, whose red sandstone castle recalls the region's Moorish past. Then end your route in the east at Tavira, a graceful riverside town of churches, old bridges and tiled façades. Stop in Faro on the way to wander through its walled old town.
Beaches we think you'll like:
Praia da Marinha is the one on every postcard: a sheltered cove framed by sculpted cliffs, perfect for couples and snorkellers. In Lagos, Praia Dona Ana combines fine sand, rock stacks and calm water, ideal for an easy morning with the children.
If you prefer space, Praia da Falésia near Albufeira stretches for kilometres beneath red and ochre cliffs. For something different, take the little ferry from Tavira to Ilha de Tavira, where Praia do Barril hides a curious cemetery of old tuna-fishing anchors among the dunes.
Family-friendly activities:
A family day here could start with a boat trip from Lagos or Portimão to spot dolphins, followed by an afternoon at Zoomarine, the marine park near Albufeira with shows and pools. If you'd rather keep things calm, a boat tour through the lagoons of the Ria Formosa Natural Park reveals sandy islands and birdlife, including flamingos.
With older children, try a stretch of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, a clifftop path of around 6 km between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centeanes, with jaw-dropping views at every turn.
Local delicacies you have to try:
Food in the Algarve is all about the sea. Share a cataplana, a seafood stew cooked in a hinged copper pan, at a long lunch by the water, or keep it simple with grilled sardines on a summer evening. Oysters and clams from the Ria Formosa are excellent too, especially as amêijoas à Bulhão Pato, with garlic and coriander.
Save room for dessert: local sweets are made with almonds, figs and carob. Finish the local way with a small glass of medronho, a strong spirit made from strawberry-tree fruit in the hills of Monchique.
Make the most of your visit:
The Algarve is compact, so it's easy to base yourself in one town and explore the rest. These are our favourite day trips:
- Sagres and Cabo de São Vicente (35 minutes from Lagos): wild cliffs at Europe's south-western tip and unforgettable sunsets.
- Serra de Monchique (30 minutes from Portimão): green hills, the spa village of Caldas de Monchique and views from Fóia, the Algarve's highest peak.
- Seville (around 2 hours from Faro): Andalusia's vibrant capital, just across the border.
- Culatra Island (boat from Olhão): a car-free island with a fishing village and empty beaches.
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