Algarve, Portugal

Honest, practical advice for a holiday in the Algarve.

The Algarve is Portugal's southern coast, roughly 150 kilometres of it between Cabo de São Vicente and the Spanish border. Most people come for the Algarve beaches, and fair enough: the golden cliffs and hidden coves around Lagos and Carvoeiro are some of the best-looking coastline in Europe. But there's a lot more to a holiday in the Algarve than a week on a sunbed. Whitewashed villages in the hills, long fish lunches by the harbour and a lagoon full of flamingos are never more than an hour's drive away.

This guide is here to help you plan the trip properly: where to stay, the best beaches in the Algarve, what's actually worth your time and how to get around, with or without a car.

Where to stay in the Algarve

The coast splits roughly into three. The west, from Sagres to Lagos and up the Atlantic side to Aljezur, is wilder and quieter, with the most dramatic scenery and the best surf.

The central Algarve is where you'll find the big resorts, the nightlife and most of the family hotels, around Albufeira, Vilamoura, Portimão and Carvoeiro in the municipality of Lagoa. Armação de Pêra is a quieter alternative with one long sandy beach.

The eastern Algarve, from Faro through Olhão to Tavira and on to Castro Marim and Vila Real de Santo António on the Spanish border, feels calmer and more Portuguese, with warmer water and long island beaches. Inland, the market town of Loulé, the old Moorish capital of Silves and the spa village of Monchique make easy day trips.

If it's your first visit and you can't decide, Lagos rarely disappoints. Our guide to Algarve hotels breaks things down by area, and there's a separate page on Algarve apartments if you'd rather self-cater.

The best beaches in the Algarve

There's a beach here for every mood. The famous ones, like Praia da Marinha near Carvoeiro and Praia Dona Ana in Lagos, are at their best early in the morning before the crowds arrive. Praia da Rocha in Portimão is the classic resort beach, big and lively and backed by bars. For somewhere quieter, head east to Tavira Island or the sandbanks of the Ria Formosa Natural Park. We've picked out our ten favourites, and you'll find every beach listed by area on its own page.

Things to do in the Algarve

The Benagil Cave boat trip is the one everyone asks about, and it's worth doing, ideally on a calm morning when the boats can get inside. After that, take a Ria Formosa boat tour from Olhão, make time for at least one long lunch of grilled fish. Our guide to Algarve restaurants will point you in the right direction, and there are more ideas on the Algarve excursions page.

Best time to visit the Algarve

The Algarve gets around 300 days of sunshine a year, so it works almost all year round. July and August are hot, busy and expensive, with daytime highs around 28 to 30°C. May, June and September are the sweet spot: warm enough for the beach, with far fewer people. From November to March the days are mild, usually 16 to 18°C, which suits walking, golf and exploring the towns, though the sea is too cold for most swimmers.

Getting to the Algarve

Nearly everyone lands at Faro Airport, the region's main airport, with direct flights to Faro from most UK airports and plenty more from the rest of Europe. Car hire at Faro Airport gives you the most freedom once you land, although buses and the coastal railway link all the main towns. Our page on Faro Airport transfers covers the options. Coming down from Lisbon? The drive from Lisbon to the Algarve takes about two and a half hours, or you can take the train from Lisbon in a little over three.

Algarve: quick answers

Where is the Algarve?

The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, facing the Atlantic. Its capital, Faro, is about 280 km south of Lisbon and around 200 km west of Seville.

Which is the best town to stay in?

Lagos for beaches and a lively old town, Albufeira for nightlife and family resorts, and Tavira for a quieter, more traditional feel.

What is the nearest airport to the Algarve?

Faro Airport. It's 15 minutes from Faro and about an hour or less from most of the resorts along the coast.

Do I need a car in the Algarve?

Not if you're staying put in one town, but it helps. The best beaches and villages are much easier to reach by car, and hire at the airport is cheap outside July and August.