Easily one of Portugal's most popular holiday destinations, the Algarve has a multitude of beautiful beaches. In fact, the area’s sandy stretches are some of the best in Europe. Plus, with over 300 days of sunshine promised every year, it’s no surprise that the Algarve has been attracting travellers in search of sun, sand and sea for many years.
That said, once there, it would be something of a waste not to take some time away from the beach to visit a few of the beautiful towns of the Algarve. Evidence of the Algarve's one-time Moorish rulers still abounds. As well as the old town walls in Lagos and several castles, the narrow streets and unusual chimneys in many of the towns and villages also hark back to the five centuries of Moorish rule.
Here are a few of our favourite places to visit, which you can discover on excursions that are included as part of our Algarve holidays.
Best Places in Algarve
1. Silves
Silves is a charming and historic town on the banks of the Arade River, adorned with beautiful lemon and orange trees. It has a laid back atmosphere and makes a great day trip away from the hustle and bustle of the busy beaches. Dating as far back as the 8th century, the castle offers some fantastic panoramic views over the town. A visit to the Castelo de Silves is a must.
2. Lagos
Lagos is a beautiful town steeped in history and culture, with many beautiful churches and monuments to explore. It is also a very vibrant town with a great selection of restaurants and buzzing nightlife. The town is also home to some of the best beaches in the Algarve.
3. Sagres
Sagres is a truly tranquil town with beautiful beaches, with a picturesque harbour at Baleeira, a pretty town square and impressive views of the rugged landscape. If you are a fan of ocean-fresh fish, the fish restaurants here are the best in Algarve and you can sample many tasty local dishes on your visit.
Nearby is Cape St. Vincent, the most south-westerly point of Europe’s mainland and where you can enjoy breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean from this jagged cliff top setting. Henry the Navigator, Portugal’s most famous explorer set off from here on his voyages of discovery.
4. Faro
On any trip to the Algarve, best places to visit include Faro. It’s likely that you will at least pass through here, as it is the region’s capital and home to the international airport. Faro is a city full of history, great shops, restaurants and cafes aplenty, theatres, galleries and, of course, great beaches.
The central area is quite compact and easy to explore with everything located within walking distance. For those with an interest in nature and wildlife, the Ria Formosa lagoon and Natural Park is also right on the doorstep.
5. Loulè
Loulè is best known for its colourful markets selling local produce and handicrafts; it’s one of the best places to visit in Algarve, especially for shopping. One of its main sights is Loulé Castle which was first built by the Romans. Later it became a Moorish fortress then, in the 13th century, they were defeated by Christians during the Reconquista by Dom Paio Peres Correia.
There are other Moorish elements to be found in the town from when they ruled this part of Portugal, such as São Clemente. The oldest church in Loulè, it was built on the site of a former mosque around the 13th century and the church tower was originally the minaret.
Best Places to Visit in the Algarve, Portugal
There is so much more to this region than breathtaking beaches and you can uncover so much more on our Algarve tours. Check out some of the beautiful towns and villages, full of history, culture and atmosphere, that you can visit on a trip to Portugal's popular coast. Although its beaches and deserved reputation for warm weather might suggest that this is a summer destination, holidays to the Algarve can be enjoyed at any time of the year. If spending Christmas or New Year at home does not appeal to you, then a trip to the Algarve on our Seasonal Holidays could be the escape you are looking for.
As well as the opportunity for some sightseeing in the Algarve and also across the Spanish border in Seville, we will make sure you enjoy some traditional and seasonal Portuguese celebrations. If you want to learn more about other top destinations in Portugal, checkout our other blog posts on 8 reasons to visit Porto, Why you need to visit Lisbon and 5 things to do in Madeira.
