There are plenty of family-friend activities in the Algarve. Popular options include heading to a waterslide park – Slide & Splash and Aqualand are my favourites – visiting the SandCity attraction or taking a boat tour to spot dolphins in the wild.
Whether you’re traveling solo, heading off on a romantic getaway or seeking a child-friendly place with lots of activities on offer near the seaside, the Algarve has you covered. Below is a rundown of some top places to visit when planning your trip.
With so many free activities in the Algarve, you don’t need to spend a fortune. Lounge on the beach, hike the breathtaking Seven Hanging Valleys Trail, waterfalls in the Monchique mountains or head to the islands on a public ferry ticket.
When I have friends visiting, I always recommend hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (Percurso dos Sete Vales Suspensos). For me, it’s hands down the best thing to do in the Algarve as you’ll get to appreciate the scenery, cliffs, beaches and caves.
Some of the best places to visit in the Algarve can be found along this stretch of coastline, such as the award-winning Praia da Marinha – one of Portugal’s most beautiful beaches – the often crowded Benagil Cave, and many more smaller sandy bays.
The cliff-top trail connects Praia da Marinha to Praia de Vale Centeanes on a six-kilometre linear route of mainly dirt terrain with some descents and climbs. Personally, I’d suggest making the trail even longer and continuing to Carvoeiro, where you can admire the Algar Seco rock formations. Or, to extend the other end, venture as far as the ocean between two beach bays.
While the Algarve is famed for its beaches – and annual 300 days of sunshine – you’ll find enough rainy-day activities in the Algarve to keep you busy.
From lounging on idyllic island beaches and exploring castle-crowned towns to hiking along epic clifftop trails and relaxing in a mountain spa, there are numerous things to do in the Algarve other than visiting the beaches.
Of course, it’s impossible to fit every spot and activity into a blog post – even when I’m writing whole guidebooks for the region, it’s a squeeze. So, in this list of the best places in the Algarve to visit, I’ve focused on the region’s main destinations, which cover most of the Algarve’s top experiences for first-time visitors or those returning for a second visit.
