Must See And Do In The Algarve
Most Popular Places and Activities to Explore in Algarve
Praia da Marinha
Praia da Marinha is arguably one of the most scenic beaches in Portugal. Your Algarve holidays will be left incomplete without a visit to Marinha beach and its surrounding cliffs.
The path along the cliffs offers breathtaking views, and the crystal-clear water lightens the experience even further. Moreover, the clear sea waters make it an ideal spot for swimming and snorkelling. Lifeguards usually supervise the beach during summers. Marinha beach also comprises the world-famous Acro Natural, the so-called heart-shaped rock. An interesting fact about Acro Natural is that it is believed to be an optical illusion of the Bengali cave.
The beach is accessible at any time of the year. Still, we'd suggest going during the summer because of the better weather conditions. Other months might not be an ideal time to visit.
Cape St Vincent
Cape St Vincent is located at the southwestern most point in Europe. The cape is a famous tourist hub for Portugal and has substantial geographical
significance. It has long been considered sacred ground and is ruled by tourism, pastoralism, and fishing today. These are also the primary economic gains from the region.
The cape offers jaw-dropping and cinematic views of the rocky seascapes from the cliff, which is 75 meters above the ocean. The cape also carries historical significance. Tons of battles were fought in the sea off the cape. You can also spot a lighthouse built on the foundations of the derelict convent in 1846.
There are various stores, gift shops, and a museum located near the cape. The museum is small but worthwhile if you want to learn about the cape and its history.
Church of Sao Lourenco
The Church of Sao Lourenco is an 18th-century architectural masterpiece located in Baroque. The exterior might be unassuming to some, but the interior will blow you away. It is a jaw-dropping and inspirational piece of art and one of Algarve's most treasured spots.
The church's roof, walls and ceilings are covered with blue azulejos (a traditional ceramic tiling) and date to the 1730s. Crafted by Policarpo de Oliveira Bernardes, these tiles were given special recognition as masters of the art from the lift of St Lawrence.
Dolphin and whale watching
Another entertaining activity in Algarve is to go for dolphin and whale watching. If you are enthusiastic about nature and wildlife, you will thoroughly enjoy
exploring the exotic marine life in Algarve.
You can easily book a boat tour online to go dolphin watching, and if you are lucky, you might also spot orcas and whales. However, ensure the boat tour you book offers sufficient amenities and activities. Along with dolphin watching, a boat tour will allow you to explore the mysterious caves and enjoy the incredible rock formation of the Algarve coastline.
Villa Real de Santo Antonio
Villa Real de Santo Antonio is a pleasant border town with several worthwhile attractions for tourists.
Visit the incredible Arquivo Histórico Municipal to witness the tuna canning industry and regions almost vanish sardine. There is also an interactive exhibition worth checking out, free of cost. The main square, called Praça Marques de Pombal, is filled with orange trees, features, beautiful sunbursts, and several restaurants and cafes.
You can take a ferry from the quay to the Spanish border town of Ayamonte to experience the jaw-dropping views of river Guadiana. Further, make sure to visit the castle in Castro Marim village. It is roughly a 10-minute drive from Villa Real.
Alcoutim
Alcoutim, a sparsely populated village in Eastern Algarve, is a rarely visited place and usually stays off the bucket list for most travellers. However, these
travellers miss out because Alcoutim has the most wonderfully scenic border.
Alcoutim's culture, way of life, unspoiled nature, and over-the-top restaurant are hard to miss. Further, the guardian river, Praia Fluvial do Pego Fund, and the cattle of Alcoutim complete the experience. If time corporates, you can vist sanlúcar de Guadiana, church of Nossa, and Church of Igreja Matriz de Alcoutim.
Lagos old town
To explore Algarve's culture, meet locals, and learn history, you must visit Lago's old town. Encircled by massive chunks of old walls from the 1500s, it is a joy to roam through Lagos.
Lagos served as the Algarve's capital between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries. You can learn about this status at the local museum, which houses
hundreds of years' worth of artifacts, including coins from the fourth century.
The remainder of your time can be spent simply strolling through the winding cobblestone lanes and discovering historic structures like the 15th-century slave market (Lagos was once the epicentre of Europe's slave trade) and the Baroque Church of Santo António, which is also covered in blue azulejos.
