2025 Algarve Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in July)

#cityplaybook Algarve’s coastline is pure drama—rugged limestone cliffs, sea caves, and turquoise water stretching endlessly under a bold Atlantic sky. This stretch near Carvoeiro and Benagil is a quiet stunner: less crowded than the beaches of Lagos, but just as breathtaking. Boardwalks hug the cliff edges, while sunlit trails lead to hidden coves perfect for a swim or a pause. How to Get There: From Lisbon by train: Take the Alfa Pendular or Intercidades to Tunes Station, then transfer to a regional train toward Lagoa or Portimão. The journey takes 3.5–4.5 hours. By car from Lisbon: About 2.5–3 hours on the A2 and A22 highways—smooth roads with scenic stops. By air: Faro Airport is Algarve’s main gateway, with direct flights from major European cities like Paris, Amsterdam, London, and Frankfurt. From Faro, it’s about a 45-minute drive to Carvoeiro. Whether you come by rail, road, or air—pardon me, but you just might not want to leave. #travel #portugal

#cityplaybook There’s a place where sun-kissed cliffs plunge dramatically into turquoise waves, where time slows down to the rhythm of the tides and salty wind whispers stories of sailors and lovers. Welcome to Algarve—the southern soul of Portugal—where golden beaches hide between rocky coves, and every turn along the coast feels like nature’s own gallery of sculpted stone and seafoam. Whether you’re wandering through charming whitewashed villages or standing breathless on a cliff’s edge, Algarve invites you to fall in love with its wild beauty—raw, radiant, and unforgettable.#travel #portugal

📍 Itinerary Overview 🚩 Sightseeing Route 🏖️ Must-Visit Attractions 🚇 Transportation 📷 Photo Spots 🍜 Local Cuisine 🏠 Accommodation 💡 Tips

#aprilblooms #portugal #algarve #trip #travel The Algarve isn’t just a destination — it’s a dream painted in golden cliffs, turquoise waters, and sleepy whitewashed villages kissed by sea breeze. Tucked at the southern tip of Portugal, this coastal gem blends raw natural beauty with slow-living charm. From dramatic rock formations in Lagos to the quiet cobblestone streets of Tavira, every corner invites you to linger a little longer, eat a little slower, and soak in the sun a little deeper.

Great hotel staff who have communicated so well with my family & I to accommodate our needs and rearrange our dates. Yes you pay a premium but it is demonstrated through how the staff and hotel work around the needs of families vacationing. Special mention to the reservations and front of house staff who have been great at making sure we could still have family holiday

Some photos through the Algarve and Alentejo

After a crazy but amazing period of working came to a close there was only one thing left to do TRAVEL! Apologies it’s a long one but as brief as possible! 1st stop to bask in the sun and some needed r&r was Perth. Relaxing and catching up with the fam ❤️ Next stop Cambodia 🇰🇭 Phnom Penh taking in the beautiful sites of Royal Palace and visiting many stunning sites including Silk Village and the Golden Temple. Siem Reap was the next stop visiting Angkor Wot Temple. The early start at 3am for sunrise at this spectacular wonder of the world was worth every second! Loved the floating village and seeing how communities live and look after each other. Next stop Vietnam 🇻🇳 Hanoi was as busy as every one said! Crossing the roads was daunting but a day later I was a pro 🤣 Train street, Halong bay, Ninh Binh, Bai Dinh Temple was definitely worth the visit. Next stop Da nang From monkey & marble mountains to seeing Lady Buddha in all her glory! Dragon bridge and the many markets are a must see in Vietnam. Of course had to visit the Golden Bridge and Bana hills. Last stop Hoi Chi Minh previously known as Saigon! Watching a bamboo show at the opera house and doing lots of sightseeing in this vibrant city. Of course getting inked at the famous Saigon ink was in the itinerary 🙈 Next stop Philippines 🇵🇭 I started in Manila in the Makati region exploring malls and a few landmarks. Off I went to Cebu for the next few days, here visiting Sirao flower gardens, Taoist Temple and the beautiful Temple of Leah and ending the day at the 10000 roses site made this trip memorable. Meeting some new friends was definitely a highlight too 🥰 Next stop is Palawan. Puerto Princesa and El Nido From longest underground river tours to island hopping to visiting some stunning lagoons each moment was a as picturesque as the next! As I returned back to Perth to recoup from living the dream and some well needed rest. Last stop before returning home had to be Malaysia 🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur you finished this trip perfectly. Batu Caves to the PETRONAS towers from temples to the most incredible malls. Loved central market and Petaling Street and Bukit Bintang. 47 hours flying time, 15 flights and 11 hotels later it’s time to go home for now 😉 As travelling was the main goal for 2024 I hope it continues for many years to come. Grateful as always and MAKING TODAY COUNT AS TOMORROW ISN’T PROMISED 🙏🏽

Amazing cave!

#traveldiaries My vacation in the Algarve, Portugal, was nothing short of amazing! 🏖️ This region is a paradise with its golden beaches, rugged cliffs, and charming towns. I spent a lot of time in *Lagos*, where the coastline is absolutely stunning. The *Ponta da Piedade* cliffs were a highlight; it's free to visit, and the views of the turquoise water against the rock formations are breathtaking. I even took a boat tour for around 20 EUR to explore the hidden caves and grottos up close, which I highly recommend! *Praia Dona Ana* was my favorite beach – it’s surrounded by cliffs and has crystal-clear water, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. For a bit of culture, I visited the *Forte da Ponta da Bandeira*, with an entrance fee of just 2 EUR. It’s small but offers some great insights into the area's history and beautiful views from the top. I also made a day trip to *Albufeira*, which has a lively atmosphere and great nightlife. The Old Town is full of narrow streets, with restaurants serving delicious seafood. Don’t miss trying the grilled sardines, a local specialty! 🍤 Overall, the Algarve is a fantastic mix of natural beauty, relaxation, and adventure. I’m already planning my next trip back! 🌞 #trip #Algarve #PortugalTravel #BeachParadise #ExploreAlgarve #CoastalAdventures

Portugal is famous for its sunshine and beaches, and Algarve in the south is a popular holiday city for Europeans                  —— One of the most anticipated attractions before setting off is the Seven Hanging Valleys Trails, which are 13km long                  —— This is the first time I came with my parents. I thought I wouldn't be able to go up and down easily, but I didn't take into account the scorching sun. It's actually a little difficult for my parents. Remember to bring enough water and do what you can 😉                  —— #Naturalscapes

Algarve is a region located in the south of Portugal and is considered one of the most famous tourist destinations in the country. This area is known for its stunning natural beauty, diverse activities, and picturesque coastal scenery, making it an ideal place to visit all year round. 🌞🏖️ Key Features of Algarve - Stunning Beaches: The region boasts many beautiful beaches such as Praia da Marinha and Praia do Camilo, characterized by golden sands and clear turquoise waters, offering a delightful beach experience. 🌊🏝️ - Scenic Landscapes: Algarve features a variety of landscapes from rocky cliffs to sea caves like Benagil Caves, which visitors can explore through boat trips. 🏞️🚤 - Sports Activities: Algarve offers opportunities to practice various sports activities such as surfing, canoeing, diving, and other water sports, making it an ideal place for adventure enthusiasts. 🏄♂️🤿 - Traditional Villages: Visitors can explore charming villages like Lagos and Faro, where they can enjoy narrow streets, traditional markets, and local restaurants offering delicious Portuguese cuisine. 🏘️🍽️ - Relaxation and Luxury: The region also has many luxury resorts and hotels where visitors can relax and enjoy spa and high-end services in a quiet and serene environment. 🌺🏨 A visit to Algarve offers a perfect experience combining relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for an unforgettable holiday in Portugal.

Beautiful resorts with great food and outstanding views from in the country side

One of my favourite places I’ve travelled to is The Algarve in the South of Portugal. The water is crystal clear and you can swim in it during the summer. You can rent a car and beach hop easily as the island is pretty small. The Algarve is also famous for it’s night life, with the nightlife strip littered with bars, clubs and street performers. I would love to go to Hong Kong next to hike there and eat all their famous food! #winhkflight

#freehotelstay

I took the bus from Lisbon to Albufeira, and it turned out to be my favorite part of my Portugal trip. A small town by the beach, where you can enjoy beer and sunbathing during the day, and at night, it turns into a party town. And you have to take the boat trip for dolphine or coatline. #mytravelhacks

#2024wish

When in the north of Europe the summer moves to autum in the south the summer continues. The Algarve in the south of Portugal is such a place where in October the sun is still warm and the sea inviting. Easy accessible by plane to the local Faro airport or a two hour drive by bus from Lisbon. I stayed in Albufera a town on the coast with many hotels and apartments. The peoplecare friendly and in the old town there are lots of small restaurants with people sitting outside on a terrace enjoying their meal and time. In the old town you will also find small shops for clothes, gifts and speciality foods. Further east is the nightlife part of town with nightclubs and fastfood places and quiter beaches where you can simply sit down enjoy the sun, go for a swim or have a picknick without having to worry about anything. For the swimmers, the atlantic ocean can used for swimming year round although the water is just 16C between January and March rising to 21 during the summer through to October. Albufera is also a good place to travel around the Algarve and visit the villages and golf courses on offer.

#2023travelwish #tripblazers #portugal This year's trip to Algarve Portugal was beautiful. Portugal's southern coastal region really surpised me how different it was to the capital. Having only one airport in the region we found it easy to travel from the Faro airport city to our final destination in Lagos- a 2hour train journey but it was well worth it! We went there for the relaxed vibe. We visited the famous Benegil cave and Carvoeiro town with lovely colourful hours. We did a crazy thing and walked 4 hours from one town to another taking the route along the cliff edges in flip flops! Highly recommend visiting there it was one of our highlights as well as Portimao's beautiful beach. Next year 2023 I hope to visit Kyoto, Japan again as it has been a while since I went to Asia as of Covid!