There are so many different types of beach holidays to have in Portugal. Go to Albufeira for the nightlife and beaches, or, if you want something more luxurious and sophisticated, skip the party town and instead head to the heart of Algarve.
This region is full of truly stunning cliff-framed beaches, Moorish towns, and exceptional food. When you want a beach holiday with your friends, there is no better place to put fun in the sun and luxury in the same sentence.
There is so much to see and do in this region, that you will want to book off a week or more to really soak in the atmosphere and to fully rejuvenate with your favourite people.
Skip the Hotel and Book a Villa
Hotels are in the past. They are all cut from the same cloth, and none of them have that personal feeling of home. Instead, you and your friends should complete your Algarve holidays by booking a beautiful villa to call your own.
Choose a villa with a pool or stunning views of Algarve, and you have a resort-worthy accommodation you might never want to leave. Enjoy nights watching the sunset with a bottle of wine, or sunbathe next to your private oasis for peace and tranquillity.
However you spend time at your villa, you will want to wander beyond to glimpse some of the stunning sceneries that Algarve has to offer.
Visit the Coast
If there is one thing that you absolutely must do in Algarve, it is to visit the coast. The coast of Portugal is something else and features pristine beaches and dramatic cliff-side views all at once.
For the Beaches
People primarily visit the area for this reason; the beautiful Portuguese beaches. If you are staying nearby, you would be remiss to not visit one (or many) of the best beaches in Algarve. To help you choose the best of the best to spend a day soaking in the sun, check out these top beaches in Algarve:
Praia da Rocha
This beach is incredibly popular, and for good reason. Not only does it feature a beautiful beach, but it is also framed by golden cliffs and has plenty of restaurant options nearby.
Praia da Marinha
This beach is surrounded by golden cliffs and features caves to explore. It’s rustic, it’s beautiful, and it’s perfect for all types of beach-goers. You can even enjoy it during the cooler months, as it’s a great beach for winter walks.
For the Cliffs
If you want to see the best of the cliffside beaches in Algarve, then you will want to visit:
Três Irmãos
These massive golden rocks, cliffs, and caves make for an adventure and a half at this beautiful area. Stop by the local town for fresh food and drink and head out to explore the beauty of nature first-hand.
Benagil Caves
Benagil is a town you should absolutely visit, but the reason why it’s so popular isn’t because of the fishing village, but rather because of the stunning sea cave you must see when visiting the region. Ranked highly by visitors, this beautiful sea cave is breathtaking and unforgettable.
For the Trails
If you want to hike while you are in Algarve, then the best place to go is the Ria Formosa lagoon. This area in Algarve is a stunning set of six inlets that offer beautiful views, wildlife watching, and are very easy to explore. In fact, five of the six inlet islands are accessible to those with mobility issues, making it the ideal place for all types of groups and a fun way to spend an afternoon in Algarve.
Visit the Towns
Algarve is full of beautiful coastal towns that you definitely will want to visit during your time in the area. If you have rented a villa, then you will want to rent a car in order to city-hop between the top destinations in the region.
Silves
Silves is a stunning town that features Moorish characteristics back from days long past. These beautiful Arabic touches set this area apart, especially the castle that sits atop the hill. In the past, this area was full of castles, bazaars, and gardens, and many of those features remain today.
Faro
Faro is often considered to be the gateway to Algarve. It also happens to be the capital of the region, and its importance is reflected in its Old Town and beyond. It is a beautiful, ancient town, with cobbled streets and a sprawling downtown area that you will want to get lost in forever. Framed in a circle, this beautiful destination is where to go for fun plazas full of food, drink, shopping, and entertainment options.
Olhão
This ancient fishing town also features Moorish architecture and the fan favourites of any fishing village. It is full of character and is a great place to choose if you want to get away from the beaten path, as it hasn’t changed much in the face of tourism. For fresh dishes and a local feel that you won’t find in many of the bigger cities, head to this quaint fishing town and enjoy a taste of history first-hand.
When visiting with your friends, it is always important that you know what type of holiday you intend to have. By setting this down in advance, you can all decide on and start dreaming about a luxuriously laid-back holiday in Algarve. Yes, the region has familiar party-towns that are a huge hit with the younger crowd, but if that isn’t your scene or you have outgrown that phase of your life, then Algarve can be so much more.
With stunning beaches and cliffs, you can explore the coast of Algarve for days. In-between visit ancient cities and towns that have Moorish features for a different take on the traditional Portuguese town. Above all else, however, aim to eat well, because when it comes to fresh and delicious meals Portugal is one of the best to choose from.
