The sun-kissed beaches of Algarve

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Part 2 of Portugal Travel Blog Series: The sun-kissed beaches of Algarve. Our guide provides details of the best to visit places in Algarve.

Part 1: Lisbon, the hilly capital of Portugal

Part 3: The top 6 things to do in Porto, Portugal

Blessed with all-year-round beautiful weather, this southernmost region of Portugal is a stunning location for a relaxing holiday. With numerous resorts and holiday villas along the coastline, options are plenty to kick back and relax on the sun-kissed beaches of Algarve during your well-deserved holiday time. Add some spirited nightlife to this mix and you are well on your way to experience a memorable party.

The high cliffs that look golden during sunsets, sandy beaches, pretty villages, the impeccable blue ocean, and the mysterious caves would certainly compel even the restless travelers to spare a moment and take in the beauty of this incredible region.

Getting there and when to visit

The nearest airport is Faro, which is close to most of the tourist attractions in the Algarve region. Although public transport is available, we recommend renting a car for maximum flexibility. Some of the beaches of Algarve are a bit inside and require a car to get there on time.

Of course, the peak season to visit Algarve is summer, but if you travel during shoulder season i.e. autumn and spring, you will see lesser crowds and also beautiful mild weather.

Must-visit locations and beaches of Algarve

Albufeira

With beautiful red-gold sand beaches and bustling nightlife, Albufeira is a must-visit while in Algarve. As it’s the largest town in the Algarve region, it hosts many resorts and can serve as a base for your stay. Albufeira’s old town is super charming with whitewashed buildings and a perfect place to get lost in alleys and numerous shops. Praia dos Pescadores (fisherman’s beach) is right in front of the old town and gets rather busy during summer.

3HB Falésia Mar Albuferia - Beaches of Algarve

We had booked a lovely resort – 3HB Falésia Mar, for our stay during the trip and thoroughly enjoyed our time chilling by the pool and taking a nice long walk on the beach. The resort is just 5 km from the old town, which made driving down for meals very convenient.

Praia da Marinha

It is one of the top 100 most beautiful beaches in the world and it surely deserves it. Pristine beaches, azure skies, and orange limestone cliffs make this beach even more attractive.

Benagli Cave

Benagli cave is the famous sea cave with a hole on the rooftop known as ‘the eye’. It’s one of the must-see attractions in Algarve region and just 15 minutes drive from Lagos. The only way to visit the inside of the cave is by sea as the cave is located 200 meters from the Benagli beach. Depending on the weather situation, you can get a boat trip to the cave or access it through kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding. The beach and the cave get extremely crowded in summer and while the crowds are less in spring and autumn, the weather condition of the sea is unpredictable. Unfortunately, the day we visited, the sea was very rough and we couldn’t take a tour inside the cave.

In addition, you can walk on the cliff and enjoy the rock formation from above. We did this, and absolutely enjoyed our little hike around the area.

Benagli beach - beaches of Algarve — Benagli beach in the background

Benagli Cave - Beaches of Algarve — Benagli cave from top of the cliff

Lagos

Lagos is a small busy beach town in Algarve region, but highly popular for stunning beaches and ochre-colored cliff formations. The old town is super charming with tiled walls and buildings and cute restaurants and cafes to dine in. Some of the best beaches and viewpoints to visit around Lagos are –

Ponta da Piedade: Situated 3 km from Lagos, these naturally formed sea arches, caves, and grottoes dominate this beautiful natural wonder. These cliffs along the coastline of Lagos are about 20 meters high from sea level. They are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Algarve. Boat tours are available to enjoy Ponta da Piedade the way it should be i.e. through the sea arches, inside the grottoes, and around these stunning cliffs. You can book your boat tour from Lagos. If you prefer staying away from the sea, descend 180 steps to get a closer look at the marvelous arches. You can also walk towards the lighthouse at the end of the road, as the view from there is stunning. When we went, there weren’t any boats as well, which makes this spot look iconic but the natural formation was still super stunning to admire.

Praia do Camilo: One of the most famous and beautiful beaches in Algarve region. Situated 4 km from Lagos, this sandy cove is divided and secluded by ochre-colored cliffs. Descend 200 odd wooden steps to soak in the natural paradise. You can sunbathe, swim in calm water and walk through the naturally formed tunnels to the cove on the other side.

Praia dos Três Castelos

Three large rocks in the water characterize this long and wide sandy beach. A highly recommended activity here is to walk along the whole stretch, overlooking the monumental ochre cliffs on a peaceful evening.

Praia do Pinhão

Crystal clear waters and amazing ochre cliffs dominate this little heaven on earth. For those looking for some seclusion, head right here.

Sagres

For adventurous and intrepid visitors, Sagres is a match made in heaven. Primarily a surfing destination, it attracts both regular and surfing tourists. A mesmerizing lighthouse at the western tip with the dramatic landscape surrounding it is a must-visit while in Algarve.