In a nutshell
- Lagos: The most famous town in the Algarve — one you simply have to see. It’s especially well-suited for first-time Algarve visitors, young travelers, and families.
- Sagres: Home to the southwesternmost point of Europe, Cabo de São Vicente. The town itself strikes a great balance between tourist infrastructure and genuine tranquility.
- Monte Clerigo: One of the best spots in the Algarve for surfers. If you love peace, nature, and stunning sunsets, Monte Clerigo is exactly the place for you.
- The Algarve has around 100 towns and villages — we’ve done the legwork and picked out our 11 favorite places in the Algarve so you know exactly where to head.
Map of the Most Beautiful Places in the Algarve
To help you get a better sense of where everything is, let’s start with a map of our 11 favorite places in the Algarve.
The Most Well-Known Cities in the Algarve
Lagos, Sagres, and Faro — these three are absolute must-sees on any road trip through the Algarve. Here’s what you need to know about the three most popular cities in the region.
Lagos
- for first-time visitors
- for anyone with only a little time
- for party lovers
Lagos is probably the most well-known city in the Algarve. If you only have a week, it makes a fantastic base — it genuinely has a little bit of everything.
The old town is packed with great restaurants, cafés, and nice shops to browse. For younger travelers, Lagos also delivers on the nightlife front. In short: the tourist infrastructure here is really solid.
There are some wonderful beaches right on the doorstep, like Praia Dona Ana. And you can easily make day trips to the Algarve’s biggest highlights from here — think Benagil Cave, Praia Marinha, or traditional villages like Silves.
Our hotel pick: Villa Esmeralda – lovely boutique hotel with a pool
Sagres
- for the Algarve’s must-see
- for nature lovers
When you arrive in Sagres, you get the feeling of having reached the end of the world. And honestly, that’s not far off — the standout here is Cabo de São Vicente, the southwesternmost point of Europe. It’s simply a place you have to visit when you’re in the Algarve.
Besides a large lighthouse and a fortress, you’ll also find what’s billed as the last German bratwurst stand before America — no joke!
Sagres itself is considerably quieter, less touristy, and more laid-back than Faro or Lagos. The town might look a little rough around the edges at first glance, but look again and it’s all the more charming for it. That’s mainly down to the wild natural scenery — rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and dramatic coastline. Seriously stunning.
Our hotel pick: Mareta Beach House – guesthouse right on the sea with a garden — one of our top hotel picks in the Algarve.
Faro
- for culture lovers
- if you’re flying out of Faro Airport
- for a day trip
Most travelers only know Faro because that’s where the airport is — and because it’s the region’s capital. But here’s our advice: take at least a day to explore it properly. You won’t regret it.
Faro has a surprising amount of history to offer. The things you absolutely shouldn’t miss are the historic city walls, the Capela dos Ossos church, Faro Cathedral, and the Cidade Velha — Faro’s charming old quarter.
Just outside the city, there’s also a genuine natural paradise: the Ria Formosa Nature Park. It’s a beautiful lagoon landscape right on the water, home to flamingos and cranes, among others. Take a boat trip here — ideally at sunset. Absolutely beautiful.
Our hotel pick: Lemon Tree Stay – quiet hotel in the old town, family rooms
Quiet Places in the Algarve
Parties, tourist crowds, and big hotel chains aren’t your thing? There are still some truly authentic, peaceful spots in the Algarve. Here are two of our favorites.
Tavira
- for those seeking peace and quiet
- for everyone who wants the real Portugal
Tavira is one of those small, beautiful places in the Algarve where you still get a taste of authentic Portugal away from mass tourism. It’s our top pick for peace-seekers and anyone who wants to skip the big-city hustle.
We associate the town with winding cobblestone alleys, little houses decorated with azulejos, and family-run restaurants serving honest home-style Portuguese cooking. The whole atmosphere is also shaped by the town’s Moorish heritage — you really feel it as you wander around.
The surrounding area also has great beaches, like Ilha de Tavira and Praia do Barril. And it’s easy to make day trips to nearby villages like Olhão, Cabana, or Vila Real de Santo António.
Our hotel pick: São Paolo Boutique Hotel – beautiful décor, right in the center
Salema
- to unwind and recharge
- for beach vacationers
Salema is a tranquil fishing village on the southern Algarve coast. If you’re after excitement and non-stop things to do in the Algarve, this isn’t the place for you. But if you want to truly switch off? Salema is 100 percent your spot.
The big advantage here is that you’re right on the sea. Some of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, like Praia Figueira and Zavial, are just a short drive away. You can spend entire days collecting shells, lying in the sun, and letting your worries drift away.
In the village itself there’s a handful of restaurants, cafés, and a small supermarket. If you want a change of scenery, the neighboring villages of Vila do Bispo and Burgau are both worth a short trip.
Our hotel pick: Casa Praia Mar – right on the beach, rooms with ocean views
Places in the Algarve for Families
Planning a family vacation is, from personal experience, not as simple as it sounds. Here’s our take on the best places in the Algarve when you’re traveling with kids.
Carvoeiro
- for children of all ages
- for families who prefer a quieter pace
Carvoeiro is our top pick in the Algarve for a family vacation. Originally just a fishing village, it’s grown into a resort town with a genuinely solid infrastructure — but it’s managed to hold onto its warm, welcoming atmosphere.
There are great activities in the Algarve here for every age group. The coves are nice and shallow, so even very young children can splash around safely. If your kids are a bit older, we’d suggest trips to the water park Slide and Splash, the marine park Marinezoo, or a boat trip out to Benagil Cave.
Our hotel pick: Castelo Guest House – lovely boutique hotel in the center
Albufeira
- for city lovers
- for children of all ages
Honestly, Albufeira has a reputation as the most touristy town in the Algarve — hotel blocks and tourist crowds included. That’s usually not our thing. But if you’re traveling with kids, it does have some real advantages worth knowing about.
There are plenty of family-friendly restaurants, a wide choice of accommodation, and safe beaches — many certified with the Blue Flag. You can buy everything you need in the center without having to drive, which is actually not a given elsewhere in the Algarve.
And you definitely won’t run out of things to do. Go whale watching with the kids, try out all kinds of water sports, or simply stroll along the harbor admiring the colorful houses and big boats.
Our hotel pick: Vila Origens – adults-only hotel right on the sea
The Best Places in the Algarve for Surfers
The Algarve is a mecca for surfers from all over Europe — whether you’re highly experienced or just starting out. Here are two of the prettiest towns in the Algarve for surfers.
Carrapateira
- for surfers of all levels
- for nature lovers
- for a camper van vacation
Carrapateira is a small village on the west coast of the Algarve. During peak season, the population of this 200-person village can easily double. Plenty of campervans set up here, and surfers arrive from every corner of the world.
Why? Simple — two of the best surf spots are right on the doorstep: Praia de Amado and Bordeira. You can even walk to Bordeira in just a few minutes. It’s used by many surf schools and offers waves for all skill levels.
You’re right in the heart of the Costa Vicentina Nature Park. We could spend hours wandering through the dunes, along the cliffs, and through the forests here — it’s that good.
Our hotel pick: Casa Fajara – small guesthouse, yoga classes on-site
Monte Clerigo
- for those seeking peace and quiet
- for surfers of all levels
- for watching the sunset
Honestly, Monte Clerigo isn’t exactly a hotspot. But we’re not recommending this little fishing village for partying or sightseeing. So what’s it good for? Stunning sunsets, seriously good fish restaurants, quiet beach days, and above all for truly switching off.
That relaxed vibe extends to the surf too: Monte Clerigo is just a stone’s throw from Praia de Arrifana, one of the most popular surf spots in all of Portugal. When fifty surfers are crammed into the lineup over there, we’d much rather head to Monte Clerigo instead.
It’s also a great option if you want to learn to surf. There aren’t hundreds of surf schools packed together here like around Lagos. One school in Monte Clerigo we can personally recommend is Algarve Adventure.
Our hotel pick: Casa Codebò – lovely boutique hotel, Portuguese style
Inland Places in the Algarve
The Algarve’s interior is seriously underrated. Not only is accommodation here more affordable, but the nature and charming villages are absolutely worth a day trip. Here are our favorite inland spots in the Algarve.
Loulé
- for strolling around
- for culture lovers
Loulé is about 20 kilometers inland from Faro and one of the best places in the Algarve to experience everyday Portuguese life. Most visitors come for two things.
First up: the Loulé Market. It runs Monday through Saturday in a stunning market hall built in Arabic style. You’ll find a little bit of everything — fruits and vegetables, handicrafts, souvenirs, and more.
The second reason is Carnival. It’s hard to believe for such a small town, but during Carnival season the streets genuinely come alive with parades, elaborate costumes, and celebrations. If you can time your visit, don’t miss it!
Our hotel pick: Loule Jardim Hotel – cozy style, rooftop pool
Monchique
- for nature lovers
- for active travelers
- for those seeking peace and quiet
Monchique is a truly beautiful mountain village in the Algarve’s hinterland — set in the so-called Serra de Monchique. The area is a real paradise for nature lovers and perfect for hiking and cycling. From the highest peak, Monte Fóia, you can see all the way to the sea on a clear day.
The village itself is small and laid-back, with a handful of shops selling traditional handicrafts that are well worth browsing.
Monchique is also easy to visit on a day trip. If you’re driving between the south coast and the west coast, cut through the interior instead of following the coast — it’s a much more scenic route. One heads-up though: the roads around Monchique can be quite an adventure, so take it easy.
Our hotel pick: Casa Spa d’Alma – country hotel with jacuzzi and BBQ grill
