After touring the bustling, steep streets of Lisbon my legs needed
time to recoup and the sun kissed beaches of the Algarve
seemed like the perfect place to unwind. The Algarve is Portugal’s southernmost
region best known for its beautiful sandy coves, picturesque Mediterranean beaches,
and colorful seaside villages. The weather is warm and sunny all year round
and the tropical scenery, ocean breeze and swaying palm trees creates a
laid-back island vibe.
Getting to the Algarve from Lisbon
From Lisbon we rented a car from the airport and drove two
and a half hours to the Algarve. Even though we booked the car online before
our trip, the disorganized process at the airport and extremely long lines took
well over an hour so make sure to give yourself extra time. Renting a vehicle is
the best way to see the coast because you can stop at all major points of
interest and explore the towns at your own pace. Except for taxis and tour
buses there isn't much public transit available.
Travelers Tip: Rent a GPS or buy a road map to help navigate, all the roundabouts can be confusing.
Where to Stay
I chose an Airbnb apartment in the beautiful little town of
Armaҫão de Pêra - Praia Beach which
had a full kitchen, spacious living room, cozy terrace and all the amenities we
needed. The building was a 5 min walk to the beach which also had many restaurants,
shops and romantic scenic points. This is a wonderful area to stay in because
it is located mid-way between the most popular towns and beaches making it a
great starting point. If you drive to the west you reach Lagos and to the East
you have Faro. It is also very close to Albufeira and Lagoa.
Praia Beach is very quiet and serene – ideal for a relaxing
getaway. To read my review on Airbnb click HERE.
Although there are many food options including traditional Portuguese
(mainly consisting of fresh fish), pizza, burgers, steak and more, my favorite
was Bollywood Indian Cuisine. The seaside dinning was a great way to end the
day and the sangria was amazing!
Don’t forget to indulge in some creamy gelato. At Praia
Beach there seems to be a delicious ice cream shop on every corner and the
flavours are to die for!
Praia de Marinha
My favorite beach in the Algarve is Praia de Marinha – One
of the most beautiful beaches on the coast and ranked top 10 in Europe. The
steep limestone cliffs composed of crustaceans, sea animals and shells are
estimated to be 16-24 million years old and if you hike to the top you can
capture the most spectacular photos.
I was able to find my own little cave on the beach which
provided shade from the sun.
The sparkling blue coves are breathtaking and this beach is much less crowded then Banagil which is very popular with tourists.
We also drove to Lagos and stopped at Ponta da Piedad – an impressive collection of rock formations jutting out from the sea. This point is very popular with photographers and those
looking to capture the perfect scenic backdrop. I recommend arriving at sunset
for the best display of color and light.
We also went to Praia
de Dona Ana – located about 2 km southwest of the city center. This is
another great spot for photos.
If you stop in Lagos I recommend going into town. The
narrow, cobblestone streets are hard to manoeuvre with a vehicle but there is
much to discover on-foot and it is a great place to have an authentic Portuguese
meal or shop for souvenirs.
Cave Exploration & Tours
The highlight of my trip to Portugal was exploring the caves along the coast, especially Benagil Cave which features a secluded beach
hidden within the rocks. You can access the beach by paddle board or kayak but
we chose to book with Targua Tours which uses exhilarating speed boats. The 30
min tour cost €15
per person and stopped at 10 caves but there are several options available. If you feel a little adventurous I highly recommend this
thrilling expedition! The kiosk is located at Praia de Benagil Beach or you can
buy tickets online at tarugatoursbenagilcaves.pt.
Benagil Cave
Benagil Beach
Travellers Tip: The walk back up from Praia de Benagil Beach is not very
pleasant. The hills are very steep so be prepared and wear comfortable shoes.
One of the prettiest towns in the Algarve is Carvoeiro and the view from the beach
is incredible. I did some shopping, had an ice cream and enjoyed lunch at one
of the many restaurants in the area.
If you haven’t read my post on Lisbon click HERE and stay
tuned to see my travel guide for Madrid Spain!
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