Portugal’s Algarve Coast: Hiking, Caves and Azure Seas

The Algarve Coast in Portugal is a wonderland for hikers, swimmers, photographers and sunbathers.

Known for its honey-colored cliffs and turquoise seas, the Algarve is visually stunning.

The area’s natural beauty, coupled with its affordability relative to the rest of Western Europe, means that the coastline has become an increasingly popular tourist destination in recent years.

But don’t the Algarve’s 4 million+ annual visitors scare you away.

Despite the crowds, you can still find quiet places to enjoy delectable views on your own patch of golden sand.

 

ALGARVE COAST IN PORTUGAL

Lining the southwestern edge of the Iberian Peninsula, the Algarve Coast borders Spain and the Alentejo Region of Portugal.

It boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe and is a considered to be Portugal’s biggest tourist destination.

The striking area is home to stunning rock formations, miles of hiking trails, incredible sea caves and some of nature’s most vibrant colors.

Visually, it reminded me of a marriage between the Great Ocean Road in Australia and Comino Island in Malta, though its energetic vibe is very much that of a European beach destination.

 

TWO DAY ITINERARY: THE ALGARVE COAST

I spent two days on the Algarve Coast and focused my itinerary primarily around the city of Lagos.

My two day Algarve itinerary brought me to some of the area’s most beautiful beaches and sea caves. On the first day, I discovered the string of sandy shores along the Ponta da Piedade coastal walk.  On the second day, I explored the caves and beaches around Lagoa.

Though I quickly realized that more time in the area would have been ideal, my two days in the Algarve were nonetheless unforgettable.

 

ALGARVE DAY 1: LAGOS TO PONTA DA PIEDADE

With a map in hand and camera in tow, I spent my first day in the Algarve hiking the scenic trail that connects downtown Lagos with the Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse.

The trail—3.5km one way—is a small portion of the longer Fishermen’s Trail that continues along the country’s western coastline.

The walk from Lagos to Ponta da Piedade showcases some of the most awe-inspiring stretches of Portugal’s coastline. As the path hugs the shore, it reveals hidden coves, dramatic rock outcrops, and idyllic sun-kissed beaches.

 

PRAIA DA BATATA

Family-friendly Praia da Batata is a popular Lagos beach. Located a stone’s throw from downtown, it is both accessible and scenic. The beach’s golden sands and turquoise water make it a beautiful—albeit crowded—place to soak in the sun.

Praia da Batata’s easy accessibility is ideal for people traveling with small children.

 

PRAIA DOS ESTUDANTES

Praia dos Estudantes sits sandwiched between Praia da Batata and Praia do Pinhão.

Rock formations and green vegetation surround the cove, sheltering its golden sands from strong wind. A Roman style bridge overlooks its western end.

The coarse sand on Estudantes Beach is covered with beautiful seashells. I collected some lovely intact salmon-colored shells during my visit.

 

PRAIA DO PIÑHAO

Tucked away at the bottom of the steep ochre cliffs between the beaches of Estudantes and Dona Ana, the beach at Praia do Pinhão is often overlooked.

As a result, it doesn’t get as crowded as some of the Algarve’s other Beaches.

There are no facilities at Praia do Piñhao, but it is a great option if you’re visiting during peak summer tourist season when the other beaches are overcrowded.

 

PRAIA DONA ANA

Dona Ana beach is the classic Algarve cove nestled between the sandstone cliffs on the eastern side of Ponta da Piedade. Its location and surrounding cliffs keep it is sheltered from the breeze, while drenching it in sunshine.

The popular Algarve Beach is renowned for its golden sands, azure waters, and prominent limestone cliffs. It is one of the most beautiful beaches along the Algarve Coast, as well as one of its most crowded.

Access to the beach is via wooden boardwalk with 93 steps. While the walk isn’t particularly treacherous, it may not be suitable for wheelchair users or people with mobility issues.

 

PRAIA DO CAMILO

A picturesque staircase leads to Praia do Camilo’s glimmering water. Named one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, the sun-drenched beach boasts a perfect—albeit crowded—cove of golden sand.

Surrounded by ochre cliffs and rich vegetation, it features calm crystal-clear waters that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

 

PRAIA DOS PINHEIROS

Praia dos Pinheiros is a small beaches that lies in the shadow of Ponta da Piedade. It is one of the more secluded coves along the scenic walk.

You can access the beach via a steep stone stairway that has been hewn into to the sandstone cliffs.

If you want seclusion, Praia dos Pinheiros may be one of your best options.

Just note that it has the reputation of being popular among nudists.

 

PONTA DA PIEDADE

Ponta da Piedade is a unique headland that’s been carefully chiseled over the centuries by the delicate touch of wind and wild waves.

Several grottos in Ponta da Piedade can be visited by boat. The location also contains a lighthouse that dates back to 1913.

 

PRAIA DO PORTO DE MÓS

I didn’t personally make it all the way to the beach of Porto do Mós. However, if you’re looking for a long sweeping stretch of sand, you may want to include it in your itinerary. The beach lies to the west of the Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse. It is among the longest beaches in the Lagos area, second only to the sprawling Praia Meia (located on the eastern edge of town).

 

EVENING IN LAGOS

During my two day visit to the Algarve Coast, Lagos acted as my home base. The charming seaside town boasts 16th-century fortified walls, quaint cobbled streets and a convenient location near some of the area’s best beaches.

In the evenings, it was a wonderful place to walk around and soak in the bustling atmosphere.

Quaint plazas and labyrinthine streets define the seaside city’s old town. It also has some wonderful eateries that serve up fresh seafood and Piri Piri chicken—a Mozambican dish that is famous throughout the Algarve.

I particularly enjoyed trying the signature chicken dish at Mullens Restaurant in Lagos.

 

 

ALGARVE DAY 2: AROUND LAGOA

On my second day in the Algarve, I left Lagos and headed to the world-class Benagil Sea Cave near the outskirts of Lagoa.

While the string of coves and beaches along the Ponta da Piedade walk is difficult to outshine, I found the coastline east of Lagos to be equally beautiful.

 

MARINHA BEACH

Marinha Beach, often lauded as one of the best beaches in the Algarve, is a glistening stretch of golden sand near Portimão and Lagoa. It is also the launching point for boat trips and excursions to the Benagil Sea Cave.

Famous travel publications like Lonely Planet and CNN travel have all sung their Marinha praises by naming it one of the best beaches in Portugal.

While I tend to prefer the smaller and more secluded beaches, I certainly can’t dispute their claims.

 

THE BENAGIL SEA CAVE

One of the Algarve’s—and Portugal’s—most emblematic sights, the Benagil Sea Cave is a top bucket list destination. The cave is a pantheon-like cavern with its own private beach, two arched entryways and a circular skylight crowning its dome. It is one of coastal Portugal’s most iconic attractions and a popular Algarve landmark.

There are three main ways to visit the Benegil Sea Cave: by self-guided kayak tour, by swimming, or by taking part in an organized boat tour. Backpackers often choose to swim to the cave so that they can spend a few hours enjoying its sheltered beach.

Yet since I was traveling solo and had no way of ensuring my valuables would stay dry, I joined Taruga Tours for a group visit instead.

• BENAGIL CAVES TOURS

Tours of the Benagil Cave last approximately forty-five minutes and leave from Praia da Marinha, about 15 kilometers east of Portimao. At the time of my visit, the 1.5 hour boat trip cost roughly €20.

In addition to bringing me inside of the iconic cave, the tour showcased some of the impressive rock formations and beaches in the vicinity.

Our boat entered caves, floated past secluded coves, and threaded sea arches. In addition to bringing me inside the cave, the tour allowed me to view Portugal’s Algarve coastline from the water—a true highlight on in its own right.

I booked my Benagil Sea Caves tour on the spot, but if you’re traveling in peak season you might want to secure a space in advance.

Sightseeing tours of the cave and surrounding sea cliffs are bookable online.

 

CARVALHO BEACH

Carvalho Beach is located near Lagoa, just a stone’s throw from the Benagil Sea Cave. A relatively quiet beach, it lacks the facilities of nearby Praia da Marinha. Carvalho Beach is popular among adrenaline-seeking cliff-jumpers

Though it doesn’t have umbrella rentals, the golden beach boasts plenty of natural shade due to its high V-shaped cliffs.

With fewer crowds relative to some of the more popular Algarve Beaches, Praia do Carvalho quickly became one of my favorite spots along Portugal’s southern coast.

 

EVENING IN LAGOS

I spent my second evening in the Algarve much like my first—by exploring the winding shop-lined streets of downtown Lagos.

If you’re planning on staying the night elsewhere or have more time to enjoy the southern coast, your second evening might be a great time to visit the nearby towns of Silves, Lagoa or Portimão.

 

WHERE TO STAY ON THE ALGARVE COAST

Many travelers choose to stay in Faro or Lagos during their visit to the Algarve.

I chose to stay in Lagos, primarily due to its proximity to the most beautiful beaches and hiking paths in the area. If you have limited time along Portugal’s southern coast, Lagos is an excellent choice (though I imagine you can’t really go wrong with any of the Algarve towns).

In the Lagos area, you’ll find everything from hostels to adult-only resorts.

The Villa 46 Hostel is a budget-friendly option with stellar reviews and an outdoor swimming pool. If you’re looking for a midrange option, Casa Margô boasts clean modern rooms and an ideal location near downtown and Praia Meia.

For a splurge, the Palmares Beach House Hotel provides a luxurious adults-only setting with a golf course, outdoor pool, and easy beach access.

The Algarve’s growing popularity means some of the best places to stay get booked up months in advance. This is especially true if you’re traveling in the peak months of June through August. You’d be wise to avoid last-minute bookings during high season.

 

HIKING IN THE ALGARVE

The Algarve Coast in Portugal contains a large network of spectacular hiking trails. The Ponta de Piedade route is perhaps its most famous short walk. It is easily accessible from Lagos.

Other popular hikes in the Algarve include the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail (5.7km) and the Trail of the Headlands (6.3km). Both are located in the Lagoa area, near Praia da Marinha.

Outdoor enthusiasts don’t have to limit themselves to short day hikes, however. The area is ripe with epic multi-day hikes as well.

If you have time and a proper pair of hiking shoes, you can explore the world-class Rota Vicentina—a network of hiking trails in Portugal’s Alentejo and Algarve provinces. In addition to smaller trails, the network includes two long-distance routes:  the Fisherman’s Trail and the Historical Way.

 

WHEN TO VISIT THE ALGARVE COAST

If you want to avoid the busiest months, consider visiting the Algarve Coast during shoulder season. In May and October, average daily high temperatures hover around 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes for pleasant beach-lounging and hiking weather.

If you don’t mind cooler temperatures, you’ll still find abundant sunshine during the low season months of November through March. You can also save big on lodging, with many places slashing their peak-season rates.

 

GETTING TO THE ALGARVE COAST

The Algarve lies at the very southern edge of Portugal. With direct buses and flights from Lisbon and Porto, it is well connected to the country’s other tourism hotspots.

The Faro Airport (FAO) connects the Algarve with large cities all over Europe.

 

GETTING AROUND THE ALGARVE COAST

While many visitors rent a car from the Faro Airport for the duration of their Algarve vacation, there are plenty of other ways of getting around the area.

The Algarve has a train line that connects Lagos in the east with Vila Real de Santo António in the west. Along the way, it stops in the popular towns of Portimão, Tunes, Faro and Tavira.

As of 2021, Vamus Algarve unveiled a new and comprehensive bus service. The extensive network covers just about every part of the Algarve and offers speedy transport between the Faro Airport and settlements up and down the coast. You can find routes and timetables online.

During summertime, the 52 Eva Cliffs line stops at scenic beaches that aren’t normally accessible by public transport.

Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt are also popular options for getting between towns. The benefit to rideshares is that you don’t have to worry about finding parking—something that can be tricky during summer months when traveling by car.

 

****

Delicate sea pillars. Fragile rock arches. Hidden caves. Honey-colored cliffs against a sparkling turquoise sea.

Despite what I’d read about the Algarve’s party atmosphere and packed beaches, I thoroughly enjoyed my two days in southern Portugal.

Sure, had I visited during peak season, the prices would have likely been higher and the beaches more crowded.

But in mid-May, the pleasant 75 degree weather and manageable crowds made the Algarve Coast a perfect place for hiking, swimming, eating and repeating.

__________________________________

DID YOU ENJOY THIS GUIDE TO THE ALGARVE COAST IN PORTUGAL? PIN IT!