Algarve holidays: cliffs, sea caves and whitewashed towns
Golden cliffs, sea caves you can paddle into with a guide and small towns of whitewashed houses. The Algarve is Portugal's sunshine coast, and far more varied than its resort brochures suggest.
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Ponta da Piedade
Photo: Jiawei Tang / Unsplash
The Algarve, Portugal's sunshine coast
Your kayak slips through a gap in the cliff and suddenly you are inside a vaulted cave with a hole in its roof, sunlight falling straight onto the sand. Benagil is the Algarve's most famous sight, but between Lagos and Carvoeiro the coast hides dozens like it.
The Algarve is Portugal's southernmost region, about 150 kilometres from west to east. The west is wilder and more dramatic, the east calmer, with long sandy beaches and lagoons. For the rest of the country, see our Portugal travel guide.
Which area suits you?
Lagos
A walled old town with good food and some of the finest cliff-backed beaches. The best all-rounder.
Carvoeiro and Benagil
Small fishing villages in the middle of the coast, close to the caves and clifftop paths. Quiet and pretty.
Albufeira
The biggest, busiest resort, with nightlife and family hotels. Not for peace and quiet.
Tavira
In the east, with a Roman bridge, many churches and island beaches in the Ria Formosa lagoon. The Algarve's most atmospheric town.
The west coast
Around Sagres and Aljezur: surf, wind and almost untouched Atlantic beaches.
When to go
April to June: wildflowers on the cliffs, comfortable temperatures and space on the beaches.
July and August: hot, busy and most expensive.
September and October: a warm sea and fewer people than in summer.
Winter: mild and good for golf and walking, though too cool for most swimmers.
Our guide to the Benagil cave explains how to visit.
Good to know
Fly to Faro. With a hire car you can reach the whole coast within a couple of hours.
The Seven Hanging Valleys trail between Praia da Marinha and Vale Centeanes is one of Europe's finest short coastal walks.
The Atlantic is cooler than the Mediterranean, even in summer.
Tivoli Carvoeiro
Photo: Hotels.com
Where to stay
Our Algarve hotel guide picks hotels town by town.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Tivoli Carvoeiro
Frequently asked questions about the Algarve
Where is the best place to stay in the Algarve?
Lagos for a town with cliff beaches, Carvoeiro for calm near the caves, Tavira for atmosphere and Albufeira for nightlife.
What is the best month to visit the Algarve?
May, June and September bring warm weather without the worst crowds.
How do you visit the Benagil cave?
Only from the sea, by boat or on a guided kayak tour. Swimming in, using inflatables and landing on the beach inside the cave are all banned.
Do you need a car in the Algarve?
Not strictly, but it makes the small beaches and villages far easier to reach.