In a nutshell
- Boat tour to the Benagil Cave: The top attraction on the Algarve — and the boat ride itself is a ton of fun!
- A beginner surf lesson: Learn to surf at one of the best spots in Europe. The beginner course is suitable for absolutely everyone.
- Wine tour in the Algarve interior: Discover how wine is made in the region and sample a glass or two. Afterward, you’ll explore the charming town of Silves.
- Not found what you’re looking for yet? Keep reading — we cover a total of 11 cool things to do on your Algarve vacation.
Boat Tour to the Benagil Cave
The Benagil Cave is one of the top sights of the Algarve — and honestly, it deserves every bit of the hype. Located on the southern coast, it’s one of the most jaw-dropping rock formations you’ll find anywhere in Portugal. There’s a natural skylight in the ceiling that lets sunlight pour in during the day, and it’s seriously magical.
The interior is only accessible from the sea, and only at low tide. The good news: there’s a huge range of tours to choose from. We’ve done the legwork and picked out the best boat tours departing from Portimão, Lagos, and Albufeira. Some even throw in extras like dolphin watching or a speedboat ride.
These three tours are really great:
From Lagos: Boat Trip to the Benagil Cave
From Portimão: Speedboat Adventure Tour to the Benagil Cave
From Albufeira: Benagil Boat Tour with Dolphin Watching
If a boat tour sounds too tame, you can also paddle to the cave by kayak or SUP instead — both are absolutely worth it.
Kayak Tour to the Benagil Cave with Swimming Stop
Surf Lesson for Beginners
Surfing is having a massive moment right now, and there’s no better place to learn than the Algarve. Some of the best surf spots in all of Portugal are right here. You can surf year-round, but for beginners the Algarve is especially great during the summer months — the smaller waves make it much more manageable. It’s also a fantastic reason to visit as a travel destination in June.
Your instructor sets you up with everything you need, including a wetsuit and surfboard. You’ll kick things off with a bit of theory covering water safety, currents, and wave patterns — then it’s time to hit the water. Don’t worry, your surf instructors will always be right there keeping a close eye on you.
We have a few surf-obsessed team members ourselves, and we can honestly say this sport is worth every bit of the hype.
Lagos: Beginner Surf Lesson with Equipment
Dolphin Watching with a Marine Biologist
Be honest: haven’t you always dreamed of seeing dolphins in their natural habitat? On the Algarve, you get the chance to do exactly that. The boat tour lasts 90 minutes in total and is a great pick for a family vacation with kids.
What we love about this tour is that you’re accompanied by marine biologists who share a wealth of knowledge about the animals. At the same time, data is collected on board for wildlife conservation projects — so you’re actually contributing to something meaningful.
One thing to know upfront: it’s possible the crew simply won’t spot any dolphins on your tour, and there are no refunds in that case. That said, the odds are slim, since your guides know exactly where dolphins typically hang out.
Dolphin Watching Boat Tour from Lagos
Jeep Safari in the Interior
If you want to explore beyond the coast but a standard city tour sounds too dull, we really recommend the jeep safari. It’s one of the coolest things to do in the Algarve if you want to see a totally different side of the region.
The tour starts in Albufeira and heads deep into the Algarve’s interior. You’ll drive through stunning landscapes like cork oak forests, visit old villages, sample local farm products, and even stop at a waterfall for a swim.
And the best part: with four-wheel drive, you can tackle dirt roads and explore routes well off the beaten track.
Half-Day Jeep Safari on the Algarve
Boat Trip in the Ria Formosa Nature Park
Just outside Faro lies the Ria Formosa Nature Park — a stunning natural paradise in Portugal. It’s a lagoon landscape of small islands, dunes, and winding waterways, and it’s home to some remarkable bird species including flamingos and cranes.
On this tour, you’ll discover the Ria Formosa from the deck of a catamaran. The trip takes around three to four hours in total. Along the way, you’ll make stops on the islands of Farol and Deserta, where you can also take a swim.
Our tip: go for the afternoon tour. At sunset, the light turns the water a gorgeous golden color — seriously one of the most beautiful things we’ve seen on the Algarve.
From Faro: Catamaran Tour of the Ria Formosa
Kayak Tour Along the Coast
The Algarve’s signature scenery — you’ve definitely seen it on Instagram — is the beaches of the Algarve with their dramatic rock formations. And in our opinion, kayaking is hands down the most beautiful way to explore this coastline.
Why? You’re right in the middle of nature, you need no prior experience, and even kids as young as about five can join in. Plus, some beaches simply can’t be reached by land — kayaking is the only way in.
Tours depart from most of the larger resort towns and last about two to three hours. Along the way, you’ll stop at a beach where you can also swim or snorkel. All you need to bring is your swimwear, sunscreen, and some snacks.
From Lagos: Cave and Coastal Kayak Tour
From Albufeira: Kayak Tour to Caves and Cliffs
Wine Tour with a Visit to Silves
Most visitors only think of the Algarve in terms of the sea, beaches, and water sports. But the Algarve’s interior is actually a well-known wine-growing region — and a tour into the hills is perfect if you want to discover a completely different side of the area during your Algarve road trip.
On this tour, you’ll visit a family-run winery and learn all about wine production in the region. And of course, a tasting is included!
Afterward, you’ll head to the historic town of Silves — one of the most beautiful places on the Algarve. Here you’ll get a real feel for authentic Portuguese life, wander through narrow cobblestone alleys, and visit the old castle.
From Albufeira: Wine Tour with a Visit to Silves
Coasteering with Cliff Jumping
This one’s for the true adrenaline junkies! Coasteering is a sport that combines climbing, swimming, hiking, and — here it comes — cliff jumping. It’s easily one of the most exhilarating things to do in the Algarve.
On your tour, you can make jumps from up to ten meters. Sounds intense? It is, a little. But don’t worry — you ease into it gradually and you never have to do anything you’re not comfortable with.
All gear is included in the price: wetsuit, helmet, and shoes are all taken care of. You’ll get a safety briefing at the start, and at the end of the tour you’ll take home photos and videos to prove you actually did it.
From Sagres: Coasteering Along the Coast
Horseback Ride on the Beach
Let’s be honest: what could be more romantic than a horseback ride on the beach? Yeah, we can’t think of anything either.
Carrapateira, on the western Algarve coast, offers breathtaking scenery. Most of the tour takes you along a coastal path with sweeping views of the sea and cliffs.
You need no riding experience whatsoever — and kids as young as ten are welcome to join. The ride lasts about one hour, and beforehand you’ll get to meet your horse while grooming and feeding it. A genuinely lovely experience.
One-Hour Beach Horseback Ride in Carrapateira
SUP Tour at Ponta da Piedade
If surfing and coasteering feel a bit too intense, a stand-up paddleboarding tour is just what you need. These tours take place on calm water and are more relaxing than strenuous. A decent sense of balance helps, but no prior experience is necessary.
On this tour, you’ll paddle out to Ponta da Piedade, a headland near Lagos — a fantastic area for an overnight stay on the Algarve. The rocky coastline here is the quintessential postcard image of the Algarve, and seeing it from the water is something else entirely.
Your guide gives you a quick intro to stand-up paddleboarding at the start and takes photos of you throughout the tour. The whole thing lasts about two hours and all equipment is included in the price.
Catamaran Boat Tour to Ponta da Piedade
A catamaran tour is a fantastic pick for the best things to do in the Algarve when you’re traveling with a larger group or as a family. You set off from Lagos and cruise along the rocky coastline all the way to Praia da Luz, passing highlights like Ponta da Piedade and dozens of caves and grottos along the way.
At some point, the boat makes a brief stop in a secluded cove where you can jump in and go for a snorkel. Snorkels, fins, and even SUPs are available on board. Or you can simply stretch out in the hammock net and do absolutely nothing — totally valid.
The catamaran ride lasts about three hours. We think it’s a great option, since you get to see so much of the stunning rocky coastline in a short amount of time.
