56 Best Sights in The Algarve, Portugal

Curving like a crescent moon the entire distance between Lagos and Alvor, Meia Praia is the largest beach in the area and one of the best centers for water sports. The golden sand extends for 4 km (2½ miles), and the water is calm and clear. You can walk to it from Lagos city center in less than five minutes by crossing the footbridge, but there's also a bus from the riverfront Avenida dos Descobrimentos and a summer-only ferry service a few hundred yards from Forte Ponta da Bandeira. A section is reserved for nudists. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers. Best for: nudists; solitude; swimming; walking; windsurfing.

Prince Henry the Navigator brought the first African slaves to Portugal for his personal use in 1441. He later established a slave market in West Africa to cope with increasingly large and barbaric slave auctions, and by 1455 around 800 slaves were transported to Portugal each year. The first African slave market in Europe was held under the arches of the old Casa da Alfândega. The building now contains a small and not-so-informative museum that looks at the history of slavery in the Algarve, so read up to get educated ahead of your visit.

Silves's market, by far the liveliest in the morning, sits at the foot of town close to the medieval bridge. If you arrive at lunchtime, have a delicious meal of spicy grilled chicken or typical stews like cozido á portuguesa from one of the cheap and cheerful restaurants. After lunch take a long stroll along the city's riverside walk.

Near the marina, the excavations of Roman ruins at the site known as Cêrro da Vila (where Vilamoura was first established), have revealed an elaborate plumbing system as well as several interesting mosaics. The small Museu de Cêrro da Vila gives you access to the site.

If fashion is your thing, then you'll love this collection of charmingly old-fashioned regional outfits from bygone eras. A short walk from the center of town, it's a great place to learn about the customs of various parts of the country.

With most displays in both Portuguese and English, the town's compact archaeology museum provides interesting insights into the area's history. One primary attraction is an Arab water cistern, preserved in its original location, with a 30-foot-deep well. The museum is a few minutes' walk from the cathedral, off Rua da Sé.

This 16th-century sanctuary—perhaps the prettiest of Faro's churches—has an unusual altar set to the left of the main altar. It's entirely carved in gilded chestnut wood and a delicate frieze depicts the Last Supper.

This small, pretty beach next to the fishing port is dotted with rocks, so the sand is not the finest. On top of that, the beach can get quite windy, meaning this is not the most popular spot for sunbathers. Yet it is the perfect spot to sit and watch the fishing boats sailing in and out of the port. Amenities: none. Best for: solitude; sunset.

Pretty and popular Praia da Galé, 4 km (2½ miles) west of Albufeira, has the classic Algarve rock formations that are characteristic of the region's coastline, plus a smattering of bars and restaurants. Other nice beaches lie on either side of Praia da Galé and can be accessed by foot—the walks from beach to beach are very enjoyable. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee); water sports. Best for: sunset; walking.

This pretty bay, 2 km (1 mile) east of Albufeira is surrounded by low-rise hotels and resorts. It's relatively small compared to other beaches, and is extremely crowded most of the year. But it comes equipped with all the summer essentials, like beach beds and water sports. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (fee); water sports. Best for: youthful vibe and families.

The closest beach to town is the long, sandy Praia de Faro, which sits on the Ilha de Faro (Faro Island) 5 km (3 miles) southwest of town. The long main road is flanked by the beach on one side and cafés and restaurants on the other. Activities are limited, and in the height of summer, parking can be a struggle. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming; walking.

About 12 km (7 miles) east of Tavira, Praia da Manta Rota is a small community with a few bars, restaurants, and hotels. But locals swear it has the best beach in the Algarve. Its warm waters and white sands are a magnet for sun worshippers. One particularly nice strand is the offshore sandbar at the village of Cacela Velha. From Manta Rota to Faro the underwater drop-offs are often steep and you can quickly find yourself in deep water. Amenities: lifeguards. Best for: walking.

The low-key fishing village of Salema, 5 km (3 miles) west of Burgau, is blessed with a 1,970-foot-long beach at the base of green hills. The long, golden strand has cliffs at either end. This area is also popular among hikers for its vast range of trails and breathtaking views. Amenities: food and drink; parking (no fee). Best for: swimming; walking.

At almost 13 km (8 miles) in length, this surfing beach (one of Portugal's top-rated for surfing) has enough room for the dozens of surfing camps and schools that have sprung up around it. The water is cool and rocky toward the western tip. The area surrounding the beach lacks basic facilities like garbage cans, so sometimes waste is scattered around, spoiling an otherwise beautiful beach. Amenities: parking (no fee). Best for: surfing, windsurfing.

Four kilometers (2½ miles) west of Praia da Luz is Burgau, a fishing village with narrow, steep streets leading to the strand. Although the town has succumbed to the wave of tourism that has swept over the Algarve, its fine beach remains unchanged. High, sloping hills encase the beach, protecting it from the northern winds. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee and no fee). Best for: snorkeling.

They say the best things come in small packages, and that's certainly the case here. A short way beyond Praia de Dona Ana, little Praia do Camilo is a hugely popular cove. Just beyond it is the Ponta da Piedade, a much-photographed group of rock arches and grottoes. Praia do Camilo is accessed via a long, wooden walkway through picturesque cliffs. At the top of the cliff restaurant O Camilo offers stunning views over the beach, and serves great oysters. Amenities: none. Best for: snorkeling.

This long, soft stretch of sand is adjacent to Praia da Baleeira, and hosts several professional surfing events each year. Good wave formations make it very popular among local surf enthusiasts. Amenities: lifeguards; parking (no fee). Best for: sunrise; sunset; surfing; windsurfing.

In summer, this beach gets so crowded that it can be hard to enjoy its interesting rock formations, caves, and grottoes, not to mention the sand and sea. Yet it offers the latest in water sports and local children love jumping off the pier. Albufeira's old town encases the beach, the latter of which is known as Praia dos Pescadores because fishing boats dock here to supply the local area with their fresh catch. A vast range of eateries and bars are a short stroll away. Amenities: lifeguards; water sports. Best for: families.

The covelike Praia dos Três Irmãos has lots of little rocks in the water, which means it can either be great for snorkeling or bad for unwitting toes, depending on the tide. If it gets too crowded, there's always space to spare on one of the beaches either side. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); toilets. Best for: snorkeling; walking.

The quaint village of Ferragudo, across the river from Portimão, has one of the region's finest beaches: Praia Grande, a long stretch of sand that offers plenty of space for towels even in summer. The 16th-century Castelo de São João (St. John's Castle), built to defend Portimão and now privately owned, sits right on the beach. Since many boats dock here, the water can have a slight petrol smell, but it is crystal clear and good for snorkeling. When it's time to dry off, sit and watch the cruise ships glide by as they dock in Portimão. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (no fee); showers; toilets; water sports. Best for: snorkeling; sunset; windsurfing.

One of the Algarve's more established wineries, Quinta da Penina is home to the renowned Foral de Portimão wine. Agronomist João Mariano, who mainly uses a blend of Portuguese and French grape varieties, has earned international acclaim since launching the company in 2001. Tours and tastingscan be booked for groups of eight or more.

Although it's one of the more recent players on the regional wine production scene, the winery at Quinta dos Vales has earned an impressive reputation. A variety of activities are available to book, including tasting experiences, vineyard tours and wine-making workshops. Visitors who would like to spend more time exploring the beautiful grounds and open-air sculpture garden can book to stay at one of the estate's farmhouses.

The 12th- to 13th-century Cathedral of St. Mary, built on the site of a Moorish mosque, saw service as the principal cathedral of the Algarve until the 16th century. The 1755 earthquake and indifferent restoration have left it rather plain inside, but its tower—complete with gargoyles—is still a fine sight.

One of the town's two major churches, Santa Maria was built on the site of a Moorish mosque in the 13th century. Although it was almost entirely destroyed by the 1755 earthquake, the church retains its original Gothic doorway.

This old water tower was converted into a camera obscura of the Leonardo da Vinci fashion in 1931. An oversize photographic camera here takes images of the panoramic views it commands of the town. The visit makes a fascinating exploration into the world of photography and a cool, shady afternoon retreat from the sweltering afternoon sunshine.

The ruins at Milreu, about 10 km (6 miles) northwest of Olhão, were first excavated in 1877. The settlement once known as Roman Ossonoba—including a temple (later converted into a Christian basilica) and mosaic fragments adorning some of the 3rd-century baths—date back to the 2nd through 6th centuries.