Algarve

The Algarve region, at the southern end of Portugal, is famous for its amazing coastline and beautiful beaches. Its natural wonders are the star attractions, including great surfing spots, towering cliffs, hidden bays and bird-filled lagoons.

The cities along the Algarve coastline are no less remarkable, with top destinations including Faro, Portimão and Lagos. Each has a charming old town, with plenty of historical landmarks. Each also has its own unique attractions, whether it's a busy nightlife, fantastic beach resorts or some of Europe's best golf courses.

Top destinations in Algarve

Where will you go next?

Albufeira
Albufeira is a fishing village-turned-beach resort on Portugal’s southernmost edge of the Algarve. It’s the place to be for taking in some of the best Portugal’s coastal beauty. This seaside town is home to some of the Algarve’s finest family-friendly...
Faro
Faro, one of the most charming (and largest) coastal cities in the Algarve, is popular among daytrippers from neighbouring holiday resorts such as Albufeira and Vilamoura. Compared to these more prominent towns, Faro offers a more relaxed vibe. With that...
Portimão
Portimao has some of the best beaches on the Algarve’s west coast, but you'll also find a rich vein of history beneath the sun, sea and sangria. Dominating the seafront is the impressive Santa Catarina fort, which dates back to...
Lagos
Lagos is an idyllic seaside town on the southwestern coast of Portugal that’s big on coastal beauty. Right on its doorstep are golden stretches of sand with rugged limestone cliffs, which meet the light and deep-blue shades of the Atlantic....

What to see & do in Algarve

Where & what to eat in Algarve

10 Best Local Restaurants in Faro
Faro has a great variety of local restaurants with delicious Portuguese food. Some are very humble and simple when it comes to décor, but not at all modest in flavour. If you’re looking for sun, fun and good food away...
5 Best Restaurants in Albufeira
Albufeira's menus fuse the bounty of the ocean with the farm-to-table fare of inland Algarve, along with classic traveller favourites....
5 Best Dining Experiences in Lagos
Great dining experiences in Lagos await you thanks to the town’s thriving food scene that takes full advantage of the...

Where to shop & what to buy in Algarve

10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Albufeira
Albufeira’s shopping scene mostly comprises souvenir shops and beach boutiques that dot the older parts of town, closer to the beach and the marina. Once a sleepy fishing village, Albufeira is now engulfed by the infrastructure required to support this...
5 Best Places to Go Shopping in Faro
Faro's shopping scene is modest yet surprisingly interesting. The relatively small city has a bustling commercial heart as well as...
10 Best Places to Go Shopping in the Algarve
The best places to go shopping in the Algarve range from modern malls with designer outlets to traditional markets offering...

Where to go & what to do at night in Algarve

10 Best Nightlife in Faro
Faro's nightlife is rich and diverse, with this picturesque Portuguese university city proving a popular spot for bars, eateries, and evening entertainment of all kinds. Thousands of students call Faro home, so it's only natural that the city livens up...
5 Best Nightlife in Albufeira
Albufeira is one of the most bustling towns in the Algarve, especially at night. By day, crowds hit the shimmering...
5 Best Nightlife Experiences in Lagos
The Lagos nightlife scene is truly one for the ages as the coastal town has a distinct charm and it’s...

Useful information

10 Money Saving Tips in Lagos
Our money-saving tips in Lagos might help you in planning your travels to this part of the Algarve. Lagos is ripe for exploration, with a smorgasbord of sandy coves, ochre grottos, and historic buildings to explore. But the Algarve region is indeed arguably among the most expensive places to visit in Portugal. So, what can a budget traveller do to...
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