Along the southern coastline of Portugal is the beautiful region of the Algarve, a destination for sunseekers all over Europe. The region is blessed with stunning beaches, glorious scenery, picturesque villages, and mouth-watering seafood, all ready to be discovered.
While the idea of hopping on the plane to the Algarve sounds exciting, it’s worth taking some time to familiarize yourself with the region beforehand. Understanding which towns to visit, immersing yourself in the culture, and getting acquainted with the climate can greatly improve your Algarve experience.
We’ll discuss the best towns in the region so you can plan your vacation accordingly.
Nicest towns in the Algarve
The main beach, Praia do Carvoeiro is a small, picturesque sandy bay nestled between two limestone cliffs, that offers a serene and sheltered environment for visitors. The beach is easily accessible from the town center and is lined with plenty of amenities, including restaurants, and bars. There are also some charming shops selling ceramics and Portuguese souvenirs, which can be great to buy as memorable keepsakes.
1. Carvoeiro
Carvoeiro is centrally located in the Algarve, which makes it a suitable base for your stay, as all places are close by. For example, famous beaches like Praia do Carvalho, Praia da Marinha, and Praia do Vale de Centeanes are only a few kilometers away. All in all, we’d say, Carvoeiro is the perfect place to start your Algarve vacation.
Looking for a place to stay in Carvoeiro?
While you're in Ferragudo, stroll along the cobblestone streets of the village and capture some picturesque scenes. Spend some time at Praia do Pintadinho for a relaxing beach day. And right on the beach, you’ll find Edd’s Beach Club, where you can grab refreshing drinks or snacks.
2. Ferragudo
And here's a tip: since Ferragudo is just a few minutes away from Carvoeiro, many visitors opt to make it a day trip from there. It's just another reason why Carvoeiro is such a great place to stay.
Lagos is a city located at the mouth of the Bensafrim River along the Atlantic Ocean in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. What draws people in is its authentic Portuguese charm, clean beaches, rock formations, vibrant nightlife, and mouthwatering cuisine.
Start your adventure by exploring the old town, where you can wander through cobbled streets, historic buildings, and vibrant markets. Don't miss the town's charming squares and ancient city walls.
3. Lagos
For a bit of adventure, go kayaking along the coast to explore hidden caves and grottoes that are only accessible by sea. Ponta da Piedade is a must-see spot with breathtaking views of the ocean and coastline; you can walk along the trails or take a boat tour to see the cliffs from the water.
Overall, is compact and easily walkable, and a perfect place to explore during your trip to the Algarve.
Tavira, often dubbed the "Venice of the Algarve," is undoubtedly one of the most enchanting towns in the region. Located along the serene Gilão River, Tavira gives that fusion of classic Portuguese allure with rich Moorish flair, offering visitors a delightful mix of culture and history.
This town has much to offer. To the south lies the captivating Praca Natural da Ria Formosa. It’s a network of waterways where you can observe horseseas in their natural environment.
4. Tavira
Tavira is also blessed with picturesque beaches, each with its own unique charm. Check out Cabanas de Tavira for the gorgeous Ilha de Cabanas beach, perfect for leisurely strolls on its pristine shores.
If you’re up for a day trip, head to Ilha de Tavira. Don't miss the chance to visit the charming Jardim do Coreto garden, and the lively Mercado Municipal.
Since Tavira is only an hour away from Carvoeiro, we recommend basing your stay in Carvoeiro.
Sitting on the extreme western tip of the Algarve, Sagres is a unique destination often referred to as the "end of the world." Unlike other spots in Southern Portugal, this small village is full of barren landscapes, towering cliffs, and wild seas, giving it a remote and adventurous feel.
Adventurous souls flock here to challenge themselves with surfing, cliff hiking, and exploring the rugged terrain. Thanks to its coastal location, Sagres has cooler temperatures compared to the rest of the region. The village is home to the historic Fortaleza Sagres Fort, a listed European Heritage site, as well as the scenic Ponta de Sagres.
5. Sagres
f you want to experience a beautiful sunset, head to Cabo Sao Vicente (Cape St. Vincent), the most southwesterly point in Europe. Sagres is also known for its stunning beaches, including Praia da Mareta, perfect for families, Praia do Martinhal, Praia do Tonel favored by surfers, and Praia da Baleeira.
A visit to Sagres could be a day trip if you're staying in Carvoeiro. It's a 1 hour 15 minutes drive.
Silves has some really cool Moorish and Roman monuments which should be best explored in the early evening when the sun dips low. Silves looks more charming during this time of the day.
Silves is just a 20-minute drive from Carvoeiro, making it a great option for a day trip. If you're staying in Carvoeiro, here's our suggestion for a perfect day in Silves.
6. Silves
Start with a visit to the impressive Silves Castle. After exploring the castle, head over to Café Inglês next door for a relaxing aperitif.
The best way to experience Silves is by foot. So, take some time to stroll around the charming streets of Silves, soaking in the atmosphere of this historic town. For a delicious meal, go to Marisqueira Rui, a fantastic seafood restaurant that serves typical Portuguese cuisine.
If you have time during the day, make sure to check out the Barragem de Arade, a nearby dam offering beautiful views and a peaceful setting.
And if you're visiting during the summer, be sure to check out the Silves Medieval Fair held every August for ten days.
A few kilometers east of Carvoeiro, nestled between Lagoa and Albufeira, lies the beautiful village of Porches. This place maintains that serene simplicity that's hard to resist. It may seem like a stop along the way, but once you're here, its beauty draws you in.
We’d say the best time to visit Porches is at night. You can stroll through the village streets and admire the site of typical Porches old roofs and chimneys. And if you stay for dinner, check out O Leão de Porches or A Rolha, both are popular for their heavenly food and cozy atmosphere.
7. Porches
The area of Porches is also well known for its wine, clay pits, and pottery workshops. So, we highly recommend visiting the famous Porches Pottery workshop to see their hand-crafted ceramics on display.
Aljezur is a hidden gem on the west coast of the Algarve. This village has some traditional Moorish charm but it’s the beaches that steal the show.
Imagine soft, golden sand nestled between dramatic black cliffs and traditional whitewashed houses — a picture-perfect postcard scene. The rock formations here are particularly interesting, and the sand is perfect for a romantic stroll along the shore.
8. Aljezur
Another beach that’s worth exploring is Praia da Bordeira, especially its wooden stairwalk, and for a calm, quiet beach day, make a visit to Praia do Amado.
Aljezur is also famous for its sweet potatoes. They're celebrated every November to December at the annual sweet potato festival. Simply put, the charm of this village will win you over every time you visit.
The beauty of Faro lies within the city walls of its old town, known as Cidade Velha. It's a peaceful area with charming corners, alleys lined with whitewashed houses, and squares adorned with orange trees.
Canned fish from Comur is a big deal in Faro. It’s a shop where you can find canned versions of sardines, octopus, swordfish, tuna – you name it. Their cans are beautifully decorated and come in all sorts of colors. It's almost too pretty to open!
9. Faro
The closest beach, Praia de Faro, is 10 kilometers from Faro and is often extremely busy on weekends. However, you can explore the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve. This area has blue-green lagoons, white sandbanks, and sometimes flamingos. Here, you can take a boat tour, enjoy a day on the beach, or go for a walk.
Praia
Beach
Swimsuit
Fato de banho
Towel
Toalha
Some portuguese words
Sand
Areia
Already in love with Algarve? Find the best accommodations for your stay here.
So, there you have it—some insights into some of the nicest towns the Algarve has to offer. Hopefully, we’ve done a good job of letting you know about all the great options each town has in terms of beaches, places to visit, and eateries, just waiting to be explored. We’d love to hear which one you'll choose to explore first!
Happy traveling!
