The 8 best places to visit in the Algarve

The Algarve hits all the right notes. Inviting beaches in this part of southern Portugal suit surfers, sun loungers and everyone in between. Castles lord over cliff-top towns, and wild stretches of coastline meet the horizon.

With brilliant sunshine as the most likely weather forecast, deciding when to visit is just about as simple as picking the soonest possible date and figuring out who can join you and what you want to do. Families can set up in a child-friendly locale for a seaside holiday. Couples on a romantic getaway can sneak down cobblestone lanes for nights of soulful music. Solo travelers can ramble on rugged paths cut above sandstone bluffs. 

As you plan your visit, add these top places to your itinerary.

1. Sagres

Best for surfing

The westernmost town in the Algarve, Sagres has some of Portugal’s most spectacular scenery. At the centuries-old Fortaleza de Sagres, you can walk to the edge of sheer sea cliffs and watch the waves crashing far below.

According to legend, Sagres was where Prince Henry the Navigator founded his school for sailors (instruction included cartography, ship design, astronomy and, of course, navigation) in the 15th century, ushering in the Age of Discovery. Some say the best viewpoint in the Algarve lies just a few kilometers north at Cabo de São Vicente, Europe’s southwesternmost point. There, a lonely lighthouse overlooks the jagged, wind-whipped cape.

These days, Sagres continues to look to the sea, although now it is more often in search of great waves to thrill the surfers assembled at the popular breaks, or perhaps for leaping cetaceans to delight passengers on a dolphin-watching cruise.

Planning tip: The village itself is smaller and quieter than towns in the central Algarve, but if you want some action, you’ll find it at the terrace bars and restaurants along the main drag of Rua Comandante Matoso.

2. Faro

Best for history

Many travelers fly into Faro and quickly depart for resorts to the east and west. Unfortunately, they’re missing one of the Algarve’s most intriguing towns, with a cobblestone center that’s packed with history. You can feel the hands of time spin backward as you pass through the neoclassical Arco da Vila to enter the walled medieval quarter. Up ahead, the Sé (cathedral) has presided over the town since at least the 13th century, though possibly longer as it was likely built on top of a Roman temple. Only a few of the original elements remain – the rest was rebuilt in a mishmash of Gothic, Renaissance and baroque styles after the devastating 1755 earthquake.

Planning tip: Make time to climb the cathedral’s tower for views over the town, then complete your time-traveling journey with a visit to Museu Municipal, a domed 16th-century landmark that was once the epicenter of the Jewish quarter.

3. Carvoeiro

Best for families with kids

Backed by whitewashed houses and sandstone cliffs, the beach at Carvoeiro is lapped by calmer seas and watched over by lifeguards, which make it a great choice for families. Just uphill from the golden sands, the village has a walkable center and outdoor restaurants that will please kids and adults alike. More stunning beaches dot the coast a short distance from town, including Praia do Vale Centeanes, a perfect spot for building sandcastles.

Planning tip: Carvoeiro is the launchpad for a wide range of tours, including boat trips to the Benagil Caves, a cathedral-sized sandstone cavern lit by sunlight streaming through a hole high overhead.

4. Silves

Best for inland exploring

It’s hard to turn your back on the sea, given those golden sands and aquamarine views. But that’s indeed the best strategy if you hope to discover this delightfully attractive town. Just 15km (9.3 miles) from the ocean, Silves occupies an idyllic hillside on a bend of the Rio Arade. At its picturesque castle, you can walk the ramparts and wander through exhibitions that describe the invasions and occupations over the centuries. Afterward, settle in on the terrace at Café Inglês for refreshments and, on Sunday afternoons, live music.

5. Tavira

Best for culture, wine and music

It’s easy to fall for Tavira, a truly captivating town. This former Roman settlement displays its history with pride, with the old quarter, a hilltop castle and its elegant seven-arched Ponte Romana span over the Rio Gilão (actually a 17th-century reconstruction of the original bridge by Roman engineers). You can learn about cultures of the past at Núcleo Islâmico, which holds a small collection of 11th-century pieces from the town’s period under Islamic rule.

Planning tip: Tavira is the best place in the Algarve to learn about Portugal’s deep-rooted music traditions. At Fado com História, you can hear live fado (a soulful style of music best described as the Portuguese blues), followed by a wine tasting – featuring vineyards of the Algarve, of course.

6. Lagos

Best for dining and nightlife

One of the Algarve’s liveliest destinations, Lagos has a lot going for it. There’s plenty to see around town, starting with its historic architecture: baroque churches, a 17th-century fortress and the old town walls. The beaches nearby draw even more admirers, particularly Praia de Dona Ana, a standout spot in the Algarve.

When the sun goes down, Lagos’ allure only increases. Restaurants along cobblestone streets and hidden in backyard gardens (like the Michelin-listed Artistas) fill with diners feasting on fresh-off-the-boat seafood. The evening continues at microbrew bars and cocktail lounges tucked along narrow lanes. Take in the scene on the rooftop terrace of Bon Vivant, or join the party people in the dance club below.

7. Carrapateira

Best for wild beauty

The west coast of the Algarve is a rugged landscape of cliff-backed beaches and wild vegetation. As part of the Costa Vicentina, which continues up into the Alentejo, this chunk of the Algarve has some delightful towns where you can stay while exploring the pristine coastline. Peaceful Carrapateira lies on a headland near two photogenic beaches without a building in sight.

Planning tip: Before heading out on coastal walks or surfing the waves, visit the Museu do Mar e da Terra da Carrapateira, an endearing ethnographic museum with photos depicting traditional lifestyles over the years in Carrapateira.

8. Galé

Best for couples

The quiet village of Galé is one of the best places in the Algarve for a romantic getaway. The town’s beach (Praia da Galé) is an obvious choice for a day on the waterfront, and even more secluded spots (like Praia das Salamitras) are a short hop from town. Galé has some lovely B&Bs and guesthouses, including the high-end Vila Joya, with its double Michelin-starred restaurant.

Planning tip: Don’t miss the sunset from beach-facing Pedras Amarelas (be sure to reserve a table on the terrace). For a big night out, you can head to the restaurants and bars in nearby Albufeira.