Updated October 2026 • 7 min read
The Algarve's signature sights are Benagil Cave and the cliffs around Carvoeiro, Ponta da Piedade in Lagos and Cape St. Vincent near Sagres. Add the Ria Formosa lagoon and the old towns of Faro and Tavira in the east, and Silves and the Monchique hills inland. The best things to do are boat trips to the caves, dolphin watching, kayaking, the Seven Hanging Valleys walk, surfing on the west coast and long seafood lunches.
This guide covers the top places by region and the best activities, with tours you can book and links to our detailed guides.
Top Algarve Sights at a Glance
| Place | Region | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Benagil Cave and Algar Seco | Central | The Algarve's most famous sea cave and rock formations |
| Praia da Marinha | Central | Golden cliffs, sea stacks and the Seven Hanging Valleys trail |
| Praia da Falésia | Central | More than 6 km of sand below red cliffs |
| Albufeira old town | Central | Whitewashed lanes, beaches and nightlife |
| Ponta da Piedade | West | Sea arches and grottoes by boat or kayak |
| Lagos old town | West | Historic center, forts and lively restaurants |
| Cape St. Vincent and Sagres | West | The southwestern tip of mainland Europe at sunset |
| Silves | Inland | A red sandstone Moorish castle |
| Monchique and Fóia | Inland | Green hills and the Algarve's highest point |
| Faro old town | East | Walled center and cathedral |
| Ria Formosa | East | Lagoons, islands and birdlife |
| Tavira | East | Castle, old bridge and island beaches |
The region splits into three parts. The central Algarve has the caves and golden cliffs, the west has the wildest coast and inland hills, and the east is calmer, with lagoons and sandbar islands.
Choose your base
Central Algarve: Caves, Cliffs and Resort Towns
Benagil Cave and Algar Seco
Benagil is a large sea cave with a round opening in its roof and a small beach inside, reached only by guided boat, kayak or paddleboard tour. Landing on the beach inside the cave is not allowed. A short drive away in Carvoeiro, the Algar Seco boardwalk leads through rock formations, arches and natural windows above the sea.
BENAGIL CAVE BOAT TOUR
A 2-hour boat trip from Portimão along the coast to the Benagil caves.
See the Benagil tour →Praia da Marinha and the Seven Hanging Valleys
Praia da Marinha is a beach of golden cliffs and sea stacks next to Benagil. The Seven Hanging Valleys trail, about 5.7 km long, follows the clifftops between Praia da Marinha and Benagil and gives views of the cave from above.
Praia da Falésia and Albufeira
Praia da Falésia runs for more than 6 km below red and orange cliffs between Albufeira and Vilamoura. Albufeira's old town, above the fishermen's beach, has whitewashed lanes, viewpoints and the region's busiest nightlife.
Vilamoura Marina
Vilamoura is built around a large marina lined with restaurants and shops, with golf courses and boat trips close by. It is the central Algarve's most polished resort.
Central Algarve guides
Western Algarve: Wild Coast and Green Hills
Ponta da Piedade, Lagos
Ponta da Piedade is a headland of sea arches, stacks and grottoes south of Lagos, with a lighthouse and clifftop viewpoints. The best way to see the grottoes is by boat or kayak from Lagos Marina.
Lagos Old Town
Lagos has a walled historic center with the Igreja de Santo António, the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira and Praça Infante Dom Henrique. Beaches such as Dona Ana and Camilo are a short walk or drive away.
Sagres and Cape St. Vincent
Cape St. Vincent, near Sagres, is the southwestern tip of mainland Europe, with a lighthouse on top of tall cliffs. Sagres has a fortress, a fishing port and surf beaches, and the sunset at the cape is the highlight of most western Algarve trips.
LAGOS AND CAPE ST. VINCENT DAY TOUR
A full-day sightseeing tour of the western Algarve with Lagos, Ponta da Piedade, Sagres and Cape St. Vincent. Pick-up is available between Quarteira and Praia da Luz.
See the day tour →Silves and Monchique
Inland, Silves was the capital of the Algarve under Moorish rule, and its red sandstone castle overlooks the town. Further north, the Serra de Monchique has walking trails, the spa village of Caldas de Monchique and Fóia, at 902 m the highest point in the Algarve.
SILVES AND MONCHIQUE TOUR
A sightseeing tour to Silves and its castle and the mountain village of Monchique. Pick-up is available between Quarteira and Praia da Luz.
See the Silves tour →Eastern Algarve: Lagoons, Islands and Old Towns
Faro Old Town
Faro's walled old town is entered through the Arco da Vila and centers on the cathedral, whose bell tower has views over the lagoon. Faro is also the main gateway to the Algarve, so it is easy to add at the start or end of a trip.
Ria Formosa Natural Park
The Ria Formosa is a protected lagoon of channels, marshes and sandbar islands along about 60 km of coast between Faro and Tavira. Boat trips from Faro and Olhão reach island beaches such as Ilha Deserta and Culatra, and the lagoon is known for its birdlife, including flamingos.
RIA FORMOSA SPEED BOAT TOUR
A speed boat tour through the canals of the Ria Formosa Natural Park from Faro.
See the boat tour →Tavira
Tavira is the eastern Algarve's main historic town, with a castle, an old bridge over the Gilão River and the Igreja da Misericórdia. A short ferry or walk takes you to the island beaches of Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril.
Best Things to Do in the Algarve
Take a Boat Trip and Look for Dolphins
Boat tours from Lagos, Portimão and Albufeira combine sea caves with dolphin watching, and some run at sunset. It is the easiest way to see the coast at its best.
Kayak or Paddleboard Along the Cliffs
Guided kayak and SUP tours explore the grottoes of Ponta da Piedade, the caves near Benagil and the calm channels of the Ria Formosa. Kayaks and paddleboards can only enter Benagil Cave with an official guide.
Surf on the West Coast
The Atlantic beaches of the west coast, such as Arrifana, Amado and Castelejo, have waves for most of the year and surf schools for beginners. Experienced surfers also head to the beaches around Sagres.
Beaches and surf
Hike the Coastal Trails
Besides the Seven Hanging Valleys, clifftop paths around Ponta da Piedade and Sagres follow the coast with views over the ocean. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for hiking.
Play Golf
The Algarve has many golf courses, with the main concentration around Vilamoura. The mild winter months from November to April suit golf better than beach days.
Spend a Day at a Water Park
Families can choose between Slide & Splash near Lagoa, Aquashow near Quarteira, Aqualand and Zoomarine, a marine park in Guia near Albufeira.
Family days out
Taste Algarve Wine and Seafood
Algarve wine estates such as Quinta dos Vales and Morgado do Quintão offer tastings of regional wines. On the coast, try cataplana, a seafood stew cooked in a copper pot, and grilled sardines in the harbor restaurants of Olhão and Portimão.
Planning Your Visit
- Getting there: Faro Airport is the main gateway, and trains from Lisbon reach Faro directly and Lagos with one change.
- Getting around: a car is best for the west coast, Sagres and the inland hills. Trains and buses link Faro, Tavira, Albufeira, Portimão and Lagos, and Benagil is visited by boat.
- When to go: spring and early autumn are mild and quieter. July and August are hot and busy.
ALGARVE ESSENTIAL PACKAGE
Flights, hotel and airport transfers for six nights in the Algarve, with time to add boat trips and day tours.
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Book now →Frequently Asked Questions
What should you not miss in the Algarve?
Benagil Cave, Ponta da Piedade in Lagos and Cape St. Vincent near Sagres are the signature sights. With more time, add the Ria Formosa lagoon, Tavira and Silves.
What is the best part of the Algarve to visit?
The central Algarve has the famous caves and beaches, the west has the most dramatic scenery and surf, and the east is quieter, with lagoons and island beaches.
What are the best things to do in the Algarve?
Take a boat trip to the sea caves, look for dolphins, kayak around Ponta da Piedade, walk the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, surf on the west coast and eat seafood in a harbor town.
What is there to do in the Algarve with kids?
Water parks such as Slide & Splash and Aquashow, Zoomarine near Albufeira, calm beaches like Praia do Barril and Meia Praia, and boat trips to see dolphins.
Do you need a car to visit the Algarve?
Not for the main coastal towns, which are linked by train and bus, and Benagil is visited by boat. A car makes it much easier to reach Sagres, the west coast beaches and the Monchique hills.
How many days do you need in the Algarve?
Three days cover one area. A week lets you see the central, western and eastern Algarve at a comfortable pace.
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