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While scores of travelers are drawn to the vibrant cities of Lisbon and Porto, visitors hoping to avoid the crowds should look south—namely, to Algarve, Portugal. Though slightly more low-key, the lesser-visited southern coast is full of equally enticing Portuguese pleasures, from rich culture to gorgeous beaches to quaint fishing villages to rustic farm stays to a dazzling culinary scene. Not to mention: well-styled hotels that are the stuff of social media dreams.
Although rivaling the beauty of nearby Mediterranean mainstays like Mallorca and St. Tropez, the Algarve is still enjoying relative obscurity—but with glittering new resorts popping up along the coastline, a handful of Michelin-starred restaurants, and a delicious type of wine you won’t find anywhere else, it’s only a matter of time before that’s no longer the case.
Read on for tips on where to stay, what to eat, and things to do should you decide to make the Algarve region your next trip.
The Best Time to Visit Algarve, Portugal
Algarve’s temperate Mediterranean climate means its winters are mild and its summers are hot and dry—so, there really is no “bad” time to go. That said, the most popular time to go is between the months of April and October, when there is little rain, a lot of sun, and the temperatures hover reliably between 70-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Much like other European summer destinations, July and August are the busiest, while the shoulder seasons of May-June and September-October offer a less-crowded but equally delightful way to experience Portugal’s southernmost coast.
Those who prefer to visit in the winter will be met with lower prices and sunny temperatures in the 60s, but should be aware that some resorts and restaurants may be closed.
Where to Stay: Best Hotels, Resorts, and Airbnbs
The Algarve is awash in sunshine for nearly 3,000 hours each year. And with cool Atlantic Ocean waters lapping at the region’s shores and an eastern mountain border blocking out hot, dry winds from the north, growing conditions for fresh, flavorful fruits, vegetables, and herbs are excellent. The new Anantara Vilamoura resort serves plenty of Algarvian-grown goodness: Guests checking in are welcomed with glasses of sweet carob and shockingly bright orange juice, as well as almonds and figs grown on site.
Located in the historic coastal town of Lagos, this restored 19th-century estate offers a sunny, beachside stay steeped in sustainability, sun, and creativity. The 33 accommodations, which include five suites, are five-star from top-to-bottom and almost entirely locally-sourced: more than 90% of everything you see and touch is handmade in Portugal exclusively for the property. The attention-to-detail extends to the restaurant as well, with most of the ingredients coming from the hotel’s gardens.
Oceanfront Tivoli Carvoeiro Algarve Resort, which recently underwent a major five-star renovation, makes for the perfect base from which to beach hop. After a day in the sun, head to the resort’s Skybar to drink in the view as the sun sets over the Atlantic—but not before enjoying Vale de Covo Beach, an otherworldly sight with crystal-clear water, rock cliffs, and an iconic cave.
Don’t let the old-school website fool you—this understated agritourism boutique hotel is as stylish as they come. Nestled on 100 tree-filled acres in the Castro Marim Nature Reserve just a short drive from the coastal town of Tavira, it offers an off-the-grid experience that’s nourishing for the senses and the soul. Furnished by a curated selection of iconic design pieces set against crisp, stucco walls and floor-to-ceiling windows, the vibe is minimalist-serene: meals feature ingredients grown on-premises or nearby, while a marble Turkish hammam offers the chance to unwind between dips in the pool. The hotel also has its own spa line, produced from local, native plant extracts, and an on-site library that is used to host workshops and talks.
The Best Restaurants in Algarve, Portugal
Seafood is one of the Algarve’s culinary stars—from clams bathed in oil and garlic to grilled whole line-caught fish to fillets of crisp-skinned sea bass. For that most sought-after of Algarvian treats, octopus, everyone seems to agree that there are only two places to go—Casa do Polvo Tasquinha and Polvo Companhia, both of which are located in the “octopus capital of the world,” Santa Luzia, roughly 36 miles to the east.
Lunches at Anantara Vilamoura s poolside restaurant, Ria, begin with plump local olives and tender, herb-marinated carrots, plus bowlfuls of fragrant olive oil and tangy, spiced tomato spread waiting to be mopped up with pillowy homemade bread. And that’s all before the menus arrive. Softball-size oranges are so abundant on the property that attendants at the adults-only pool flit from one lounge chair to the next proffering whole fruits—peeled, if you prefer—to enjoy while soaking up the sun.
To earn bragging rights and to impress even your most intrepid foodie friends, make your way west to Café Correia in Vila do Bispo. There, order up a cold Portuguese Super Bock beer or a glass of vinho verde and a plate of goose barnacles, the area’s prized local delicacy. Called “percebes” by locals, the crustaceans grow on slippery, wave-battered boulders in the ocean, which means they can’t be farmed. Instead, they’re hand-harvested by local fishermen in a dangerous, by-permit-only process. Translation: They’re pricey—but it will be Euros well-spent.
It’s not hard to imagine that the Algarve’s bountiful supply of earthly and aquatic ingredients might have something to do with the fact that there are six Michelin-starred restaurants in the region. In quaint Carvoeiro, chef Rui Silvestre’s Bon Bon is a perfect example. Silvestre’s Atlantic lobster (served with organic egg yolk and imperial caviar) is so fresh, it still tastes like the sea, and his elegant white asparagus—paired with cumin and a São Jorge cheese aged for 24 months—might just make you well up. Although a Michelin-starred restaurant might not be the best place to break out your iPhone, we admit that Bon Bon’s tasting menu (four or six courses, with or without wine pairings) will give you plenty of material to make your friends back home jealous.
Some 300 to 350 indigenous varieties of grapes grow in Portugal, and as a result, you can toss a cork in any direction and hit a bottle of delicious, locally-produced wine. Negra Mole grapes, however, grow exclusively in the Algarve, and they’re used to produce a gentle, drinkable red that hits the palate like a Pinot Noir. For a taste, head to Cabrita Wines in sleepy Silves. The winery, which was founded in 2007 and produces whites, reds, and rosés, offers tastings in a second-floor space that’s replete with polished wood and beautiful vineyard views. Also in your tasting lineup: Moscatel and Arinto—two more wines made from native grapes. Save room in your suitcase, because you’ll want to bring back a bottle or two.
Things to Do in Algarve, Portugal
Of course, beaches are the biggest draw, with more than 150 rolling out their wide, golden shores like welcome mats. Many are bordered by craggy rock cliffs, caves, and grottoes—all of which make for an extra photogenic effect.
Falesia and São Rafael beaches, both in Albufeira, see their fair share of sunbathers, and Praia da Amoreira, in Aljezur, is a sweet spot for surfers, thanks to its abundant waves. If you’re searching for that quintessential crescent of Algarvian sand, make your way to Praia da Marinha in Lagoa, one of the Algarve’s most celebrated beaches. But rather than drive right up, arrive via the cliff-top walk that starts at Praia do Vale de Centeanes in Carvoeiro, some three-and-a-half miles away.
The Atlantic coast isn’t the only place to enjoy the water in the Algarve. Ria Formosa nature park, with its lagoons, sand dunes, islands, marshes, and mudflats, makes for exceptional hiking and spotting wildlife.
