Top 8 place in Algarve: Our top Picks
The Algarve, the extreme southwestern point of mainland Europe, comes from the Arabic name “Al-Gharb,” meaning “The West.” With over 130 miles of coastline, it is home to arguably some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Europe. But with Northern Europeans and now Americans flocking to the crowded beaches, is it still worth a visit? Well, today we are going to explore some of the hidden gems of the Algarve and talk about some of the places you might want to avoid.
This is Ismail Siddiky in Portugal, and in this blog, we are going to be traveling the entire Algarve and tell about” Top 8 place in Algarve”, all the way from the western tip of Sagres to the incredibly charming town of Tavira, located just 15 minutes from the border of Spain. We’re going to see some of the most beautiful beaches in Portugal and even try some of the best Piri-Piri Chicken Portugal has to offer. First on my list is one of my top recommendations for the Algarve: Sagres.
1. Sagres: The Historical Southwestern Tip of Europe
A Visit to Cape St. Vincent
Sagres is the extreme southwestern point of the Algarve and mainland Europe, specifically Cape St. Vincent, sacred to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who considered it the end of the known world. Several naval battles have been fought for centuries in the vicinity of this cape. If you’re a history buff like me, I would definitely recommend visiting Sagres. It’s off the beaten path a little bit, but the history alone is definitely worth it. You won’t find the luxury resorts that you will in the rest of the Algarve, but if you are looking for a traditional Portuguese experience, this is probably one of the most authentic ones in all of the Algarve. The accommodations are also very well-priced in this area. There are miles and miles of beaches with no one on them, and Sagres has some of the best surfing in the entire Algarve. The best waves are from September through November.
2. Lagos: Beauty and the Tourist Trap
Why Lagos Might Not Be for Everyone
Then, if you drive about half an hour east, you will arrive in Lagos.
For some reason, when Americans visit the Algarve, they always want to come to Lagos. Maybe they think the name is cool, or they’re confusing it with Lagos, Nigeria. But to be honest, Lagos was probably my least favorite place to visit after Albufeira. Don’t get me wrong, Lagos has no shortage of beauty. It is home to many of the orange-red limestone cliffs that the Algarve is famous for. It also makes for a great location to explore the surrounding areas. The Lagos fortress is really cool to visit, and walking around the charming city center is very nice during the day. However, after nightfall, the town of Lagos felt a bit rough to me. I honestly woke up the next day in Lagos wondering if the Algarve was just going to be one big tourist trap. A day trip here was enough for me, but then my pessimism changed when I drove about 30 minutes east to the beautiful, charming town of Carvoeiro.
3. Carvoeiro: The Algarve You’ve Dreamed Of
Romance and Relaxation on the Limestone Cliffs
Carvoeiro was exactly what I imagined the Algarve would be like after seeing pictures on the internet. I was lucky enough to stay in this wonderful Arabic-influenced villa that is still one of my favorite places I’ve stayed in all of Portugal to date. Naturally, the first thing I did was walk down to the ocean to see the sunset, and I had no idea what was in store for me. As I arrived, I was treated to an absolutely breathtaking sunset, and there was a boardwalk above the limestone cliffs that made for one of the most romantic settings I had ever experienced.
This is not a place that you would come if you’re looking to party or club, as there aren’t many options for things like that. But if you’re looking for nice relaxation and serenity, then I think Carvoeiro is definitely the place for you. Carvoeiro is not far at all from the famous Benagil Cave with the big hole in the top that you may have seen all over the internet and Instagram. The charming village center is between two large cliffs, where there is a small beach that I have been told gets insanely crowded during the summer months. Carvoeiro is an increasingly popular place to retire, and it makes sense why. It is located within a very short distance of many golf courses in the area that are more affordable than the prestigious courses near Tavira in the Eastern Algarve.
4. Silves: Medieval Charm and Castles
A Step Back in Time
Located fairly close to Carvoeiro is the Lagoa Slide & Splash water park. This attraction is great for kids, but I had a pretty good time as well.
Silves is a really cool, charming medieval town with one of the best castles in the Algarve. I would definitely recommend taking a stroll through the cobblestone streets and having a drink at the bar on top of the castle. When was the last time you had a glass of wine on top of a castle? There is a beautiful park in the valley below the castle that is lined with really nice cafes where you can spend a delightful afternoon. I would recommend adding a day trip to Silves to your itinerary if you enjoy castles.
5. Albufeira: The Party Capital of the Algarve
For Those Who Love to Party
Then it was time to set out to the party capital of the Algarve: Albufeira. On the way, I was told to stop in Guia for some of the best Piri-Piri chicken, and it was certainly some of the best chicken I’ve ever had.
There are multiple chicken places in Guia, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. This would be an excellent opportunity to be like the locals and try the local high-proof spirit called Medronho. That’s what nightmares are made of. This is the Portuguese equivalent to moonshine or Italian grappa, but definitely drink the Medronho with caution, as it is very powerful stuff, and it’ll get you drunk pretty quickly. Then I arrived in Albufeira. Albufeira is like the Cancun for Europeans. You can’t walk a block without seeing signs outside of bars advertising shots of liquor with names like Porn Star and Sex on the Beach. I remember when I was 18.
The beach here is beautiful, but as you can imagine, it gets very, very busy with tourists.
I did have an incredible culinary experience at the Windmill Restaurant inside, you guessed it, a windmill. The food presentation was exquisite, and the atmosphere was very romantic. I would recommend it for people looking for a date spot with a unique and upscale experience. Albufeira is not really my cup of tea, and I would consider avoiding it if you’re not interested in partying or clubbing.
6. The Golden Triangle: Luxury and Leisure
Exploring the Affluent Side of the Algarve
Then it was time to head into the Golden Triangle, a name given to the affluent region outside of the capital of the Algarve: Faro. This area is famous for its luxury resorts and Michelin-starred restaurants. It is located between these three points: Vilamoura, a luxury resort town with a large marina that has many yachts and sailboats as well as a large casino. What happens in Vilamoura stays in Vilamoura. Nothing good can be happening here. Then you have the charming little town of Almancil in Loulé, which is known for its Michelin-starred restaurants. In fact, it has more than any town in the Algarve. And the third point is the luxury golf courses of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo.
If you have big bucks and you’re trying to ball out, then this is the place where you can make it rain, but that’s not me, so let’s move on.
7. Olhão: Authenticity and Architecture
A Fisherman’s Town with a Unique Vibe
On my way east toward the border of Spain, I ended up stopping in the fisherman town of Olhão, which I enjoyed very much. It is a very modest little town with strong authenticity. The bustling fish market is one of the best in the Algarve and is quite a sight to see.
Olhão is known for its cubist architecture, which has a very unique feel compared to the rest of the Algarve and Portugal, which brought many well-known Portuguese artists, writers, and photographers to Olhão in the first half of the last century. This is my kind of place, and I even considered possibly moving here. By the time you come this far east, the limestone cliffs will have disappeared, and the only beaches you will find are on the islands off the shore, which Olhão has two, reachable by daily ferry rides. I wish I could have stayed longer, but it was time to move on to what would become one of my favorite towns in the entire Algarve: Tavira.
8. Tavira: The Romantic Heart of the Algarve
Where History Meets Romance
Tavira is one of the most charming towns in the entire Algarve, in my opinion. Its origins date back 1,000 years BC, and it was an important port to the Romans until it was conquered by the Moors in the 8th century. Today, Tavira is a mix of Arabic and Roman architecture, which makes it unique compared to the rest of the Algarve. It is, in my opinion, one of the most romantic towns in the Algarve, and I would highly recommend planning a visit if you are with your significant other.
Conclusion: Is the Algarve Worth a Visit?
As you can see, the Algarve has a lot to offer, and I’ve only begun to scratch the surface in this blog. Comment below with any suggestions of places that you think people should visit when coming to the Algarve. Hopefully, this blog helped you decide if the Algarve is worth a visit for you and where you’ll be going when you make your trip here. If you want to read more blogs about Portugal, then stay with my website.
Thank you so much.
