The Algarve, also known as the Faro District consists of the very bottom tip of Portugal (see map below). This area is known for its beautiful beaches, fun resorts and overall great prices for travelers looking to have a good time. This article is your crash course to the Algarve! I'll be sharing my favorite activities and locations across the Faro district. See these locations come to life in the video above. Use this article to bookmark spots for your upcoming trip! Skip to my Algarve vegan food finds here. Follow me on Instagram for more photos of the Algarve @deanna_troy_travels
Hiking
If you're looking for fascinating beach-side cliffs and sudden hidden water caves then the Algarve is perfect for you! Here are some locations that you must check out while visiting the Algarve.
Algar Seco
You'll see this suggested on every poster, travel guide and blog article for the Algarve, and for good reason! It's a gorgeous coastline lined with unique and intricate caves. There are beaches, boardwalks, hiking, cliff jumping, photography opportunities and more here! The most famous cave in Algar Seco is A Boneca. This cave has two windows with a view of the Atlantic Ocean, which you can see in the video above but also this picture below.
There is so much to do and see in the Algar Seco. We did a day trip with our hostel but there are many groups you can take a trip with. I would recommend staying nearby and exploring all this area has to offer over multiple days. Another tip for if you are going to explore the caves is to wear good walking shoes and leave children at home. We loved our hostel trip but they didn't explain to everyone that this would be a hiking excursion and not just a beach day. We were all in flip flops and even a girl with an ankle injury went on the trip thinking it would be just the beach. 😮 Also it's pretty dangerous for hiking - one slip and you could fall off one of the cliffs. All of us flip flop wearers were pretty spooked. If I had children with me I would have turned around and not participated. However, this is a fun hike for able-bodied people who aren't afraid of heights. If that's not you then you can walk on the boardwalk or just enjoy the beach and view the caves from afar.
Top 3 Items to Bring on an Algar Seco adventure
1) Waterproof Walking Shoes - As I said, this is a HIKE not a casual walk, you'll need stability and protection! Plus you might need to walk through water, so I suggest the waterproof hiking shoes.
2) Bathing Suit Tankini Outfit - When hiking the caves, you'll want to dip into the secret watering holes. Instead of bringing a bathing suit and extra clothes why not just combine the two and seemingly wear a regular tank top and shorts outfit that you can also swim in? I wish I wore this because I didn't end up swimming in the hole because I didn't want to be wet and have to carry my clothes for the rest of the hike.
3) Binoculars - If you are too scared to hike throughout the caves then you'll want to observe them from afar. Also, if you are hiking the caves then binoculars can help you view the Atlantic ocean from above.
Beaches
The Algarve is known for its incredible coastlines and great sunset views! Here are just a few of the many stunning beaches in the Algarve.
Marinha Beach
This beach is near the Algar Seco and many tours of this area will include a stop to it. (We saw this beach when we kayaked the Benagil Caves, read more about that below.) This beach is very cool and has great rock formations all over it. Perfect for photo ops, see this shot on my Insta below! My only critique of this beach is ALL the seaweed in the water! Yuck! Haha, but this beach is mostly for experiencing the great rock formations, not swimming.
Cape St. Vincent Sagres
Here's an area you might not see or hear about from your research of the Algarve. Cape St. Vincent is a headland in the municipality of Vila do Bispo. It is the Southwestern most point of Portugal and of mainland Europe. Which explains its nickname: "the end of the world." There is easy parking and a beautiful lighthouse nearby. But the best thing to do here is watch the sunset. You will have stunning views of the sunset over the mountains and water!
Praia de Dona Ana
This is one of the most photographed beaches in the Algarve, you'll probably see it on postcards and billboards promoting the Algarve. It is famous for its clear water and spectacular cliffs. It's 160 meters with lots of space for tanning. Beware of the shade from the cliffs during midday and also beware of topless nudity! It's allowed at this beach as well as in other beaches of Portugal! 🙈
Praia Do Camilo
This is another beach that's a show-stopper! See it in my first Lagos vlog here. Read more about it in my Lagos blog article here. Also check out a few quick tips I have for visiting this beach in my TikTok here:
Water Sport Activities
Two popular water sport activities in the Algarve are kayaking and scuba diving. We had great experiences with both!
Kayaking to Benagil Caves
These are a must see when visiting the Algarve! These famous cliff formations are admired by travelers world-wide! However, the only way to view them is by kayak. We went with the Stance company (@stancesup) and had a blast! I recommend going in a group and bargaining for a good rate in person. We were able to talk them from from $40 to $30 a person.
Both my husband and I have kayaked before so the two hours of paddling was fine for us. However, if you never have kayaked before then I would suggest taking a boat cruise to the caves instead. The kayaking groups are always at least 20 kayaks that are supposed to stick together and go at a moderate pace!
Scuba Diving
If you don't mind cold waters and you have your PADI certification then try scuba diving! We went with Mares Diving Center and saw some interesting animals, including a rare John Dory fish!
Top 3 Items To Bring for water activities
1) Underwater camera - You never know what you'll see under and over the sea. Most of the underwater footage from my YouTube channel is taken with a GoPro Hero 4. I brought a GoPro Hero 5 on this trip BUT we had an epic fail moment because we didn't realize we needed a special underwater case for it. This caused the GoPro to malfunction under water. Typical! 🙄
2) Waterproof phone holder - Whether you're in a kayak or on a boat, it's helpful to bring your phone (in case your GoPro malfunctions like ours). I wouldn't skimp on a cheap one with this! Find a case that's perfect for your phone size and needs to ultimately enhance your trip.
3) Hat With Drawstring - Do you want to come home with a red-face? I didn't think so! Perfect for if your sunscreen has worn off, these hats give extra protection from UV rays. Make sure to get one with a drawstring strap to go around your chin. Otherwise your hat will fly away into the ocean whether you're on a the scuba diving boat or a kayak.
Vegan Friendly Eateries in Algarve
These vegan friendly joints are even delicious if you aren't vegan! I have to include these in here as I'm always finding the best vegan spots around the world!
Goldig Café
This quaint cafe has delicious and unique meals! Get there early because seats fill up fast. Their "Tosta Lox" dish has the best vegan salmon lox I've ever had! I asked for their secrets and they said it's made of carrot that they marinade for days in a special sauce. It tasted just like salmon! (@cafe_goldig)
Beats & Burritos
This hip and happening eatery happened to be right next to the hostel we were staying at. We literally ate here at least once a day. Featuring tacos, burritos, bowls and quesadillas, all dishes can be made vegan! (@beatsandburritos)
O Ninho Family Bar
This little restaurant has a play area for children so it's perfect for families. This bar is mostly for a light lunch or breakfast. They have many great vegan meals and pastries. Their vegan couscous with zucchini noodles is both fun and filling. They give you the noodles in a jar with a sauce that you get to shake up! (@oninho.familybar)
The Seasonal
This restaurant is not featured in the Algarve vlog above, BUT it's a must-eat for vegans! This Asian fusion restaurant combines your favorite dishes such as pad thai with meat-free proteins like tofu and meatless meatballs! See pictured below one of our favorite dishes! (@the_seasonal_lagos)
Overall the Algarve is a must-go-to if you are traveling to Portugal! Next on this deannatroytravels.com blog we will discuss other areas of Portugal such as Sintra and Lisbon! Stay tuned by subscribing to this blog here and this YouTube channel.
