THE MOST AMAZING TRIP TO THE ALGARVE
The Algarve is a picturesque region of Portugal full of contrasts, surprises and lots of British expats. My mom recently stayed with us for 5 weeks and she was curious about The Algarve as her Arizona friends had talked about it. So, we rented a car for a long weekend exploring The Algarve. We visited during the shoulder season (October), but it was still quite busy.
There are many towns in The Algarve so deciding where to stay might be a bit challenging. We wanted to stay in a central location so we picked Carvoeiro. Below you will find all the awesome things to do in the central Algarve area, where to find delicious vegan food and where to stay. This blog post is all about the best things to do in The Algarve and how to have the most amazing trip to The Algarve.
During our weekend trip, these are the places that we visited: FARO, CARVOEIRO, PORTIMÃO AND FERRAGUDO. Each of these cities/towns has its own unique vibe. If you like old historical towns, Faro is a great choice. For cozy beach towns with sublime views, Carvoeiro is a fantastic choice. If you like boats, marinas and high-rises, Portimão is where you will find this. And right next door is Ferragudo, a tiny, intimate town with views of Portimão. Each town offers something interesting and worthy of a visit. Find out below how to have the most amazing trip to The Algarve.
What to do in Faro
Walk around the historic old town – it’s intriguing to enter the Arco da Vila and wander within the walls of the old town to think about how life was in the past.
Arco da Vila – the original entryway to the old town that was built in the 1200’s and has been restored to its current splendor.
Faro Cathedral – this monument was originally built in 1251, shortly after being re-conquered by the Moors, hence the architecture style. It was rebuilt after an attack by the English in 1596 and now shines with gold, azulejos and gilded woodwork.
Igreja do Carmo – built in the 18th century this is the apple of The Algarve’s eye. This is Baroque style architecture with intricate gilded woodwork inside along with stained glass and azulejos. It’s truly a masterpiece and deserves a visit.
Faro Municipal Museum – this is where you can learn about the past way of life in Faro and more about the Moorish occupation and see the Roman ruins.
Faro Walls – explore the pre-Roman walls surrounding the old town
Ria Formosa Cruise – if you love bird watching and seeing wildlife in their natural habitats, this is a must-do. You can see all sorts of sea birds, such as flamingos, razorbills, spoonbills, storks, ospreys, stilts, shanks and the florid purple swamphen. It makes for an enjoyable half-day trip.
Palacio de Estoi (Rococó Pastiche) – this palace was in ruins only a few short years back. A hotel developer bought it and gently restored it to its current magical state. Now, it serves as a boutique hotel, but is open to the public for self-guided tours. It’s truly stunning!
Where to eat in Faro
DaTerra – scrumptious vegan buffet so definitely come hungry! The food is quite varied and tasty here.
Vegan Box – veganized Portuguese food – don’t forget to try the pastel de nata.
Outro Lado – veganized elevated Portuguese food
What to do in Portimão
Walk on the beach boardwalk – the boardwalk is lovely and leads from the beaches mentioned below to the marina. You’ll come across many enticing restaurants and bars along the way, pulling you in for a refreshing beverage.
Praia da Rocha or Praia de tres castelos – golden sand with sparkling azure waters, what more can I say? The wooden boardwalk makes it much easier to walk on the beach and enjoy the sights along the way.
Fortaleza de Santa Catarina – a medieval fort with an interesting history of protecting The Algarve and specifically, Portimão and surrounding areas. This fort has been renovated many times over the years and is worth a visit for the panoramic views.
Praia do Vau – more isolated, not as many people so this is a great spot if you prefer less crowded beaches.
Go to the marina – this is a great area to catch a glimpse at how the ultra-wealthy live with their luxurious yachts and catamarans. You’ll find smaller boats here too, but it’s the luxe yachts that really grab your attention.
Go for a boat excursion – there are plenty of paid boat excursions from the marina including a pirate boat. This would make for a fun half-day trip.
Igreja do Colégio – this is considered one of the main works showcasing Portuguese architecture from the 17th century with intricate gilded woodwork inside in the mannerist and baroque style.
Jardim 1 de Dezembro – an adorable pocket park with historical depictions on the bench azulejos. This is the perfect place to take a break from the beach and city.
Where to eat in Portimão
Balance Cafe – botanically decorated cafe with scrumptious vegan food. You’ll feel very zen after eating here.
Moksha – vegetarian restaurant serving Indian and Italian food with many amazing vegan options.
Hortela – adorable rooftop terrace vegetarian cafe with many delicious vegan options.
What to do in Carvoeiro
Walk the cliffside wooden trail – wow, just wow! This is a must-do if you are in the area. The views of the orange-hued cliffs with the aquamarine water is seriously stunning. This is also an awesome area to come for sunset. Walk all the way to Algar Seco so you can witness the cliffside bar and rock window with a sublime view of the ocean.
Go to the beach – the beach is compact, but if you go early in the morning or in the evening, it’s pretty empty.
Take boat trip to Benagil cave – probably one of the coolest things you can do in this area. Click here for an awesome tour!
Where to eat
Saffron Mantra India – vegan friendly restaurant in Carvoeiro. There isn’t much to choose from in this area so if you decide to stay here, you may want to stay at a place with a kitchen so you can make your own food.
What to do in Ferragudo
Ferragudo is a traditional fishing village with whitewashed cottages, flowers, hillside streets, and interesting boats. The peacefulness and old-world charm of Ferragudo are perfectly preserved which makes for a pleasant visit.
Walk around the historic center (Rua Infante Santo) – the center is very small and easy to walk around to enjoy the colorful flags and ancient buildings.
Walk up the hill for an amazing view of Portimão (right by Ferragudo church)
Igreja de Ferragudo – take a peak in the church after checking out the views from the side
Street with white houses with pastel-hued trim (Old Village of Ferragudo R. Dr. Luiz Antonio dos Santos) – check out this charming street which makes for some captivating photos.
Praia da Angrinha – this beach is closest to downtown Ferragudo and is situated on the Arade River. As it’s a river beach with many boats nearby, the water isn’t the cleanest so I wouldn’t recommend swimming here. If you want to swim at the beach, Praia Grande is the next closest beach with cleaner water.
Ferragudo lighthouse – this lighthouse, of unusual design, consists of a small square turret attached to a one-story caretaker’s house. It supports a red lantern on its terrace. Guided visits are available on Wednesday afternoons.
Where to stay
- Monte Dourado – this is where we stayed in Carvoeiro and it had a magical view of the town
- Vivienda Brito – great location near the beach
- Villa Farfalla – countryside retreat near Palacio de Estoi
- Villa Fantasia – talk about a luxe property right by Pau Beach in Portimão
- Praia da Rocha – great location near the beach
When to visit The Algarve
Any time of year is a great time to visit The Algarve. It’s incredibly busy during the summer months and the prices are higher so I highly recommend that you visit during the off-season or shoulder season, if possible. We went in October and the weather was perfect, it wasn’t overly crowded and the accommodation prices were extremely affordable.
Fun paid experiences in The Algarve
- Fantastic boat trip to Benagil Cave
- Benagil Cave + boat tour from Portimão
- Ria Formosa Catamaran Tour from Faro
- Pirate Ship Tour from Portimão
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend items that we truly love!
THE 5 ITEMS WE WERE SO HAPPY TO HAVE FOR ALL OF OUR TRIPS:
- Merrell women’s light hiking shoes – these are amazing because they are lightweight, but are extra grippy and helpful! I also have this pair that I always get compliments on: Merrell Rainbow shoes. Fernando loves his Asics trail runners which are also grippy and perfect for hikes.
- Thermoflask water bottle – like a Hydroflask, but more affordable! We don’t go anywhere without these water bottles full of purified water.
- North Face Aphrodite 2.0 capris – Seriously, I wear these pants every.single.day! I couldn’t live without these ultra-comfy, lightweight pants that dry so quickly. They are 100% worth the money!
- Osprey Day Pack – this is an awesome lightweight backpack that we can easily put the belongings we need at hand for traveling around the city and on public transportation.
- Vegan Sunscreen – don’t forget to put on your vegan, all-natural sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun’s rays
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ITEMS:
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This blog post is all about how to have an amazing trip to The Algarve Portugal.
Nandita says
We were in the Algarve at the same time! 😀 I just did a travel guide on it. We didn’t visit Ferragudo but cover mainly Lagos and Faro. Lots of good vegan food around there!