The top 20 most beautiful sights in the Algarve – written by locals [2025 update]

1. Ponta da Piedade

Come to Ponta da Piedade in Lagos and see for yourself where the most photographed place in the Algarve is located. Here you will find a huge cluster of the region’s iconic rock formations, towering high above the water.

Behold the clear blue sea while walking along the top or hop aboard a boat , canoe or SUP and discover the many natural arches and hidden beaches from the water’s surface.

The Ponta da Piedade is where many a romantic couple watches the sunset together before dining at one of the many good and affordable Portuguese restaurants in the charming Lagos.

2. The Seven Hanging Valleys trail & the Benagil Cave

The Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos , also known as the seven hanging valleys walk , is a beautiful walking route near Carvoeiro and Albufeira , which takes you along the high cliffs of the Algarve.

The walk is about 5.7 kilometers one way and runs from Praia da Vale Centianes to Praia da Marinha . Near the famous Benagil cave is a large unpaved parking lot where you have the best chance of getting a parking space in high season.

The Benagil cave is a dome-shaped cave with a ‘natural skylight’ in the middle through which the sun shines. The cave itself can only be reached from the water by boat and is a popular destination.

3. Monchique & Miradouro da Fóia

🌞 Top activity tip (click to expand)

Fancy a day of creativity? Then this ceramic workshop is highly recommended!

Ceramic workshop in Monchique

A little less than 40 kilometers north of Lagos, at the end of a winding mountain road, you will find the idyllic village of Monchique . In this village you will experience old-fashioned Portugal and see houses in traditional architectural style with white walls and painted window frames.

The village is located about 1000 meters above sea level, which makes it a few degrees cooler here than at the sea. This makes the village and the hilly landscape behind it a popular destination on a warm day.

From the Miradouro da Fóia you can see the south and west coast on a clear day with the green rippled interior on the other side. There is a lot to do in the area, from walking over a brand new suspension bridge to a guided tour with donkeys!

4. Farol do Cabo de São Vicente

The Farol do Cabo de São Vincente is a lighthouse near Sagres that stands at the most southwestern point of not only Portugal, but mainland Europe. During the day you can see the sea and the nearby beaches on all sides, while in the evening it is a beautiful location for a romantic sunset.

The area around the lighthouse is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:30 and admission is free. Unfortunately, you cannot enter the lighthouse itself.

3During high season, there is a food truck in the parking lot selling the ‘ Last Hot Dog to America’ .

5. Alvor & the lagoon

Alvor is a small fishing village located between Lagos and Portimão , next to the mouth of the Odiáxere river. Small but nice, this place has a number of cozy fish restaurants and a pleasant boulevard from where you can see fishing boats and pleasure boats coming and going. The adjacent lagoon is a popular spot for kitesurfers and windsurfers.

On the south side you can walk over a wooden boardwalk through the dunes, which is a popular activity for walkers and birdwatchers. The boardwalk ends at the wide Praia da Alvor beach.

Just outside Alvor is a small airport, from where brave adventurers can undertake a skydive.

6. Tavira & Tavira island

Tavira is an atmospheric place whose old centre is separated by the Gilão river. Tavira has few high-rise buildings, which is why you can taste the real authentic Portugal here. The city is full of ancient churches, castle walls and cosy narrow streets.

From the river quay you board a ferry to visit the neighbouring Tavira Island . Here you can make beautiful walks with the coast on one side and on the other side dunes and marshes where many species of birds can be found.

7. Olhão & the Barrier Islands

Faro‘s largest neighbouring city is the pleasant Olhão. This city has a long boulevard full of excellent restaurants, a traditional market hall and parks where you can picnic while the children enjoy themselves in the playground.

Olhão is located on the edge of the Ria Formosa nature park and from the quay you can see the barrier islands Ilha da Culatra and Ilha da Armona in the distance . An absolute must is to take a boat trip along these islands, which are almost car-free.

8. Sagres in Fortaleza de Sagres

The Fortaleza de Sagres is a centuries-old fortress that has been excellently preserved and is located on the southernmost point of Sagres. In the past, this fortress served as a base to protect this part of the Algarve from pirates.

Today it is open to the public and the old walls are used to enjoy the beautiful view. With a bit of luck you will see dolphins swimming by or waves crashing on the rocks. The entrance fee is only a few euros

In sleepy Sagres itself, the most popular activity is surfing! Thanks to four large beaches with different orientations, there is almost always a wave to surf. Always wanted to take a surfing lesson? Sagres is the perfect place.

9. Praia da Bordeira & Pontal da Carrapateira

With a visit to Praia da Bordeira and the adjacent scenic drive of the Pontal da Carrapateira you kill two birds with one stone. Bordeira beach is located at an outlet of the Aljezur river and is surrounded by a few hundred meters of dunes. The further you walk along the waterline, the fewer people you will encounter.

The cliffs along the Pontal da Carrapateira offer a magnificent view of the sea and the beach. When the big waves arrive in the autumn, they splash against the cliffs with a loud crash and you see fountains of water spraying into the air.

10. Lagos & Praia do Camilo

Discover old-fashioned Portugal in the atmospheric centre of Lagos. In this maze of narrow streets you will see the old-fashioned Algarvean architecture of the beautifully finished houses.

From the port of Lagos many fun boat trips depart daily such as dolphin tours and cruises along the Ponta da Piedade. Relax for a day on the beach of Porto de Mós or stretch your legs during a walk to the neighboring village of Luz.

One of the most beautiful beaches in Lagos is the cute and small Praia do Camilo, which is reached via a wooden staircase and is surrounded by beautiful cliffs.

11. Silves & Castelo de Silves

A short half hour drive from Albufeira lies the idyllic and historic town of Silves inland. During the Moorish rule, Xilb was the capital and traders sailed up and down the Rio Arade .

At the highest point in the centre, the red Castelo de Silves still stands like a rock in the surf after hundreds of years. From the sandstone walls you have a beautiful view of the surroundings and you can experience what it was like to live there in the time of castles.

On the south side of the city flows the Arade river where you can take a nice walk along the bank before you are served a delicious Portuguese meal in one of the many Portuguese restaurants in the old center. Near Silves there are a number of vineyards that you can visit for a tour, including of course, a tasting!

12. Ria Formosa nature reserve

The Ria Formosa Nature Reserve is located off the coast of Faro and Olhão and is a popular destination for a boat trip. You have probably already seen it when you landed in Faro.

Various canoe and boat trips depart from Faro and Olhão, with experienced guides taking you through this beautiful piece of nature.

If you want to take a walk along the Ria Formosa Natural Park, check out this hiking trail or park your car at Praia de Faro and walk along the coast.

13. Aljezur & Praia da Arrifana

🌞 Top activity tip (click to expand)

Take a beautiful walk through the hills of Aljezur with a group of rescued donkeys at the Burros Artes shelter .

https://www.burrosartes.com/

Aljezur is a small village in the far west of the Algarve. The town is full of houses in traditional style and the old part of the town is built against a ridge.

At the top lies the ruins of a castle, which used to keep watch over the area. Although there is not much left of the fortification, the view from the top is still as impressive as it used to be. The village itself has a number of nice little restaurants and cafes.

A winding road further on you will find the beautiful Praia da Arrifana , a personal favourite beach thanks to its excellent surfing waves and phenomenal views from above.

14. Luz & Praia da Luz

🌞 Top activity tip (click to expand)

The area around Praia da Luz is fantastic to explore by (E)-bike. You can find these at Algarve Sportland.

https://www.algarvesportland.com/

A lovely walk or short drive away from bustling Lagos, you will find the smaller town of Luz . This oceanfront village is an excellent choice if you want to stay somewhere within walking distance of the beach, restaurants and attractions.

On the edge of the village lies the Rocha Negra , a dark rock formation that you can walk to from the village in half an hour. The beach, Praia da Luz, has a lifeguard and sunbeds for rent in the summer.

15. Algar Seco & Carvoeiro

The Algar Seco is a beautiful stretch of coastline just outside the town of Carvoeiro. Here you walk along a boardwalk above towering cliffs and see how the weather and wind have worked on this work of nature for centuries.

Here and there you can climb off the path to walk through small tunnels and jump off the rocks into the water. If you go this way, the town of Carvoeiro itself is also definitely worth a visit.

16. Burgau & Praia do Burgau

Just a short twenty minute drive from bustling Lagos, lies the picturesque oceanside village of Burgau. Although it doesn’t have a distinct village centre or promenade like Luz, it still feels welcoming and friendly and is well worth a visit during your Algarve holiday.

The narrow, steeply sloping streets leading to  Praia do Burgau  beach feature traditional Portuguese architecture and tucked away in the side streets are a number of excellent restaurants.

In the summer you can snorkel nicely on both sides of the beach, where the rocks and stones in the water are a habitat for various colorful fish species. In the surfing season Praia do Burgau has a few good breaks, ranging from knee high to  overhead .

17. Loulé & the salt mine

Loulé is a historic town in the Algarve, located half an hour’s drive north of Faro. Although it may not be as well-known as other destinations in the Algarve, Loulé offers a pleasant mix of architecture, history and activities that you should not miss on your Algarve holiday.

Stroll through the narrow, cobbled streets of Loulé and admire the beautiful Moorish-influenced architecture, reflecting the town’s rich past. The historic centre is easy to explore on foot, and don’t miss the ancient castle, bustling covered market and numerous craft shops!

If you are then ready for an underground adventure, put on your helmet with headlamp and explore the 230 meter deep salt mine of Tech Salt. After descending into the darkness with a narrow metal elevator, you will be given a guided tour of the deepest salt mine in Portugal. An absolute must!

18. Praia dos Pescadores & Albufeira

Albufeira, located in the sunny heart of the Algarve, is the most famous place in the Algarve and it is here where nature and culture & tranquility and action come together.

For partygoers, the famous ‘ Strip ‘ in the Areias de São João district is the place to be, with an abundance of bars, clubs and restaurants that stay open until the early hours. However, if you’re looking for something a little quieter, you won’t be disappointed. As well as the famous Praia dos Pescadores , Albufeira also has quiet beaches and intimate coves such as Praia dos Arrifes and Praia da Coelha , where you can relax and enjoy the warm Portuguese sun.

19. Ferragudo & Praia dos Caneiros

Ferragudo is a beautiful town on the other side of the busier Portimão. This charming village is located at the end of the Arade river and along the quay you will see many colorful fishing boats moored here that are still in use daily.

Hidden in the maze of streets you will find a number of excellent restaurants and cafes for a tasty Portuguese lunch or dinner.

A few minutes drive away is the Praia dos Caneiros beach, which is surrounded by cliffs and where the Leixão das Gaivotas rock protrudes into the water .

20. Alte

Alte is a small village hidden in the hills of the interior. Here you will discover old Portugal as you walk through the narrow streets past whitewashed houses decorated with blue or yellow outlines.

Within walking distance is a small waterfall and nearby you have a hilltop with a 360 degree view of the surroundings.

Activity tips

Have you always wanted to see dolphins in the wild? Or visit a local vineyard? The Algarve is full of fun activities on land, at sea and in the air that you can do during your holiday. View all activities on the activities page.

Accommodation tips

Would you like to stay in a special accommodation? In addition to many beautiful hotels and resorts, there are also a number of special glamping and tiny houses to be found in the Algarve. View all my accommodation tips on this page:

Rental car tips

Finding a good car rental company can be quite a challenge. After all, you don’t want to be faced with unexpected costs or strange surprises. The Algarve Specialist therefore works exclusively with the best rental company in the Algarve: Luzcar.