Alvor: fishing village on a beautiful lagoon
Alvor sights & holiday tips
The charming town of Alvor is a small fishing village in the Algarve, located between Lagos and Portimão. Situated on a large lagoon connected to the sea, Alvor has a rich history in fishing, which is still an important industry. However, nowadays the fishing boats have to share the water surface with pleasure boats and sports enthusiasts who use the bay for water sports such as kite and windsurfing.
In the old centre of Alvor you will find beautiful authentic Portuguese architecture and in the main street you will find a number of excellent restaurants and ice cream parlours. You can walk along the bay and if you look around carefully, you will see a lot of bird species that live in the nature reserve. If you want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the big cities, then Alvor is a perfect destination for a visit!
As a resident of the Algarve, I can often be found in this lovely village for a walk or to try out a new restaurant. First, watch a short 4k video of Alvor and its immediate surroundings below. Further down the page you can read about my favourite sights, activities and some tips for hotels and restaurants based on my experience!
Top 4 sights of Alvor
In Alvor there are a few nice sights to see during your visit. Some of these are in the old center or right around it, but for some you will have to walk a bit or take the car. This makes Alvor a nice destination for a day of culture and nature. These are some of my favorite sights in Alvor:
- The old town & waterfront of Alvor.
Since Alvor is not a very big place, you can easily explore the center on foot. It is best to park your car at the harbor and walk north from there along the boulevard. In and around the R. Dr. Frederico Ramos Mendes you will find most cafes and restaurants with Portuguese, but also international cuisines which are housed in the charming old buildings. If you walk further west, you will automatically come to the boulevard and the lagoon where numerous fishing and pleasure boats are anchored. Continue your way south to end up at the boardwalk.
- The promenade through the dunes.
A nice little walk that you can do in Alvor is the Passadiços de Alvor. Via a wooden boardwalk you walk through the Ria de Alvor dune area towards the west and you have the bay on one side and the ocean on the other. The route starts here and is recommended if you like beautiful sunsets. Make a round of it by walking back via the beach at the end of the path. At the start of the walk there is a sign with information.
Along the way you will encounter all kinds of birds and at low tide you can see how the locals digging for clams. If the water is clear, you will see fish swimming by and crabs running across the sand. Bring a bottle of water, sunscreen and enjoy this beautiful route!
- The castle of Alvor (ruin).
Alvor Castle used to be a square castle built by the Moors on the remains of an old trading centre. Nowadays there is not much left of the castle. Some of the old walls are still standing and inside there is a public toilet and some play equipment for children. If you are looking for some shade and want to let the kids run around for a while, this is a great location!
- Church of Divino Salvador of Alvor.
This brightly colored 16th century Catholic church is located on top of a hill and is fun to walk past and peek inside at the beautiful decoration. The church is still in use and services are held weekly. On Saturdays, these are in English.
In front of the church is a small square with a number of benches from where you can take in the decoration of the church. Click here for directions.
The 2 beaches of Alvor
South of Alvor you will find the two beaches within walking distance of the center. These are the beaches of Alvor:
1. Praia de Alvor
The largest beach in Alvor is Praia de Alvor. Park your car here or walk from the centre towards the south over the Marginal de Alvor and you will automatically arrive there. It is a lovely beach to relax with the whole family for an afternoon, because there are fewer people here than the busy beaches in the larger towns and it is very large. If you find it a bit too busy, walk a few hundred metres further. The further you walk towards the west, the quieter it becomes.
To the east you will find some of the typical rock formations and cliffs that the Algarve is rich in. From the car park it is about a 20 minute walk along the boardwalk to get there.
If you get thirsty you can visit one of the beach bars in the dunes, but for a good value evening meal I recommend heading back to the centre of Alvor.
2. Praia dos três irmãos
The photogenic Praia dos três irmãos is a beach located southeast of Alvor. If you are driving, it is best to park here, or walk from Alvor south to Praia de Alvor and follow the boardwalk east. A visit to this beach is worth the walk, because here you will find some beautiful rock formations and steep cliffs in various colors.
Walk through caves and along the waterline and discover ‘hidden’ beaches on the other side of the high cliffs. Here too you will find a number of beach bars where you can go for a snack and a drink, where again I recommend driving or walking back to Alvor center for a good meal.
Top 4 activities in Alvor
In Alvor there are quite some adventures to be had! Jump out of a plane during a skydive, or explore the countryside by bike. Below you will find my four favorite activities in Alvor:
- Skydiving at Skydive Seven.
Conquer your fear and make a skydive at Skydive Seven in Alvor! At the small airport just outside Alvor, you can get into a propeller plane and then get out at 10,000 or 15,000 feet! Of course with a parachute and professional instructor. Enjoy the beautiful view above the bay of Alvor while you float down after a free fall as soon as the parachute is open.
- Kitesurfing in Alvor at Alvor Kitecenter.
According to the website of this kite center, Alvor is the original kitesurfing location in the Algarve. Here you can go for kitesurfing lessons or rent gear to kite yourself. - SunBikeTours.
If you want to explore the beautiful surroundings of Alvor by steel horse, you can rent a mountain bike or racing bike at SunBikeTours or participate in one of the organized tours. If you rent for multiple days, you will receive an extra discount. - Walking through the Ria de Alvor nature reserve.
Walking through the Ria de Alvor nature reserve. Just outside the centre of Alvor, the aforementioned walking route starts over a wooden boardwalk towards the west, which runs through the Ria de Alvor nature reserve. Bring your camera or binoculars and try to spot different bird species that live in this marsh. Make a small round of about 2 kilometers, or walk to the end and back via the beach for a route of 5 kilometers.
Alvor hotel tips and recommendations
Since Alvor is located between Lagos and Portimão, this place is a perfect base to discover the western part of the Algarve. Because it is a lot less busy than the big places, you will find many small hotels and B&Bs where you can completely relax after a day of adventure. Check out some of my favorite hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses below where you will undoubtedly feel at home.
These are my 6 accommodation tips for Alvor:
1. Summer Cascade
In this nice little B&B, it feels like you are on holiday with family. You have your own large bedroom and bathroom, but share the spacious living room, kitchen and garden with swimming pool. For a small additional fee, a nice breakfast is prepared for you.
2. Alvor Kite Center Guesthouse
Whether you like kitesurfing or not, this super atmospheric guesthouse in the center of Alvor feels like a little paradise. Tastefully decorated rooms, excellent facilities and also for a reasonable price. There are rooms for couples, but also family rooms for families. In the building there is a cozy bar where you can go for Portuguese cocktails and in the morning a great breakfast to start the day.
3. Rooftop Guesthouse Alvor
This small guesthouse that has recently been completely renovated has a beautiful roof terrace with a beautiful view over Alvor and the sea. It is within walking distance of the center, so you can leave the car at home when you go out for dinner in the evening. The rooms are not super big, but the walk-in rain shower in the attractively tiled bathroom makes up for a lot!
4. Alto Club Apartments
Just outside the centre of Alvor there are these beautiful two-bedroom apartments that are ideal for families. The rooms are richly equipped and at the shared swimming pool you can relax in a lounger next to the palm trees after a day of adventure. Is it a bit chilly? There is also an indoor swimming pool.
5. Wyndham Residences Alvor Beach
Book an apartment on a high floor and enjoy the surroundings from your balcony in this luxury hotel full of beautifully decorated studios. An extensive breakfast is served daily in the restaurant, where you are also welcome for lunch and dinner. Of course, the hotel has a swimming pool to cool off in and a small hot tub for colder days.
6. Foz Club – Algarve
This boutique hotel is a renovated villa from 1946 with only a handful of rooms. It is located outside the center of Alvor in a wonderfully quiet area, but within walking distance of the beach. Although the rooms are modernly furnished, the building is full of charming old furniture. From the pool you look out over the ocean and if you are ready for some extra exercise, there is a small gym inside.
Restaurant tips Alvor
In Alvor you will find a number of excellent restaurants where you can try Portuguese cuisine, but of course you will also find international dishes.
These are the restaurants and cafes in Alvor that I recommend:
Restaurant Sereia
For an excellent cataplana or fried fish in a cozy setting, Sereia is the place to be. At the entrance, freshly caught fish are on ice ready to be prepared. In addition to a good selection of local specialties, they also pair excellent wines with the dishes.
Restaurant Omakase
When I think of great sushi in the Algarve, I think of Omakase. This is one of those restaurants that you drive out of your way for and then it was worth every extra kilometer. Absolute must-try are the combi-menus, where you get 22, 44 or 66 sushi bites in different rounds. Ideal for sharing. Or not.
Pequena’s bar
If you’re looking for a change from piri-piri dishes and cataplanas, why not head to Pequena’s for some traditional Dutch snacks, such as a portion of bitterballen, croquettes and frikadellen in this brand new, cheerful café with Dutch owners.
Affordable car rental in the Algarve
The best way to discover all the beauty in the Algarve is with a rental car. By renting a car for a few days you can much more easily reach the sights and activities that are not always accessible by public transport.
By renting a car from Luzcar, you are helping a local family business run by Portuguese entrepreneurs. This way you support the local economy and you also get top service, which is often a stark contrast to the large corporations. Luzcar is based in Lagos, but they also offer cars at the airport in Faro. This way you can pick up the car immediately upon arrival and return it at the airport upon departure.
Luzcar’s reputation speaks for itself. Almost 5 out of 5 on Google Maps.
Photo Gallery of Alvor
Whenever I go out on a day off, I always take my camera or drone with me to try and discover new angles of places I’ve been to before. Alvor is one of my favorite little places, thanks to its beautiful bay and the adjacent dune area. Below are my favorite photos of Alvor:
More of our local tips for your Portugal adventure
⭐ Check out our favourite sights in the Algarve on this page
⛵ Check out this overview of all activities you can do in the Algarve
🚗 This is the best car rental company in the Algarve
📌 Discover the top towns and cities to visit in the Algarve here
🏖 These are our favourite beaches in the Algarve
🛎 Get inspired with our local tips for accommodations in the Algarve
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