If you’re looking for where to go for a relaxing, affordable summer vacation, look no further than the Algarve Coast. There are plenty of things to do in the Algarve, as it’s known for its golden beaches and dramatic cliffs. Quaint fishing villages and vibrant markets dot the coastline, providing a charming backdrop to the azure Atlantic Ocean. The Algarve Coast is also a magnet for surfers, drawing enthusiasts from around the globe. The warm climate and extensive coastline ensure year-round surfability, allowing a vibrant surf culture to bloom in this region of Portugal.
The best thing about the Algarve Coast is that it is relatively easy to explore. Unless you’re extremely picky about the types of beaches you go to, nearly every beach satisfies that sandy, blue-water craving. I’ve outlined the top 5 things to do in the Algarve list below, which focuses on places that are both beautiful and accessible without the need to rent a car.
Algarve Coast Weather
To enjoy all the Algarve has to offer, plan during the summer or shoulder seasons. I try to avoid traveling during August as Europe in general becomes extremely crowded during this month. The weather was great and the crowds were manageable. Below are the average temperatures for the Algarve coast from May to September.
- May: High of 73ºF/23ºC and low of 57ºF/14ºC
- June: High of 77ºF/25ºC and low of 59ºF/15ºC
- July: High of 86ºF/30ºC and low of 72ºF/22ºC
- August: High of 84ºF/29ºC and low of 64ºF/18ºC
- September: High of 81ºF/27ºC and low of 62ºF/17ºC
Transportation in the Algarve Coast
Many blogs online say that the Algarve coast is inaccessible without renting a car, and I have to disagree. This, however, depends on how much exploring you’d like to do in the Algarve. The goal of my trip was an activity-filled, but relaxing girl’s trip. This means the idea of renting a car was not in the game plan, because cars are stressful! However, a car grants you independence and allows you to fit more things into your itinerary. And of course, it will be much easier to explore the more inaccessible beaches by car. If you’re more like us, we traveled the coast by bus and ubered to places when necessary. I didn’t feel that not having a car hindered our trip at all as we still had plenty to do in the Algarve.
Renting a Car in the Algarve Coast
If you want to rent a car for a more adventurous, independent vacation, I recommend booking through Rentalcars.com. I’ve used them in multiple countries now and have never had an issue with them. I find that the cars they provide tend to be on the newer side, which is nice for things like connecting your phone to music or having a GPS. This blog by PackedForPortugal does a great job of covering all the details of renting a car in the Algarve, such as insurance, safety, and what to expect when picking up your car.
Ubers, Taxis, & Bolt in the Algarve Coast
We used Uber quite often in the Algarve, either to take us to beaches or to take us to our hotels/Airbnbs. In one instance, we even ubered from Albufeira to Faro due to some booking issues with our train tickets.
While there are plenty of Uber drivers in the Algarve, I do recommend downloading Uber’s European competitor, Bolt, in case you have trouble finding an Uber. In times when Uber didn’t come through for us, we used Bolt, which proved to be a great backup just in case.
Traveling by Bus in the Algarve Coast
Traveling by bus in Portugal was cost-friendly and easy. We used Flix Bus to get down to the Algarve and the ride was smooth. Lisbon to Lagos was the longest drive (4 hours), and the one-way trip cost only 13 euros per person.
Our driving route was Lisbon to Lagos, Lagos to Albufeira, and then Albufeira to Faro. We had forgotten to book our Albufeira to Faro trip (oops) and had to call an Uber last minute, and even that was affordable and easy. If you don’t want the stress of having a car, traveling the Algarve by taxi or bus is very doable.
5 Best Things To Do in the Algarve Coast
#1 Praia da Dona Ana
The main thing to do in the Algarve is to enjoy the many beautiful beaches that exist there, so no surprise that I’m starting this list with a beach. Praia da Dona Ana was one of our first stops on this trip. The water is clear, blue, and clean and there is a staircase leading down to the beach for easy access. We came here after our bus ride from Lisbon, so it was an easy and enjoyable stop during our trip. The beach does get a little busy, likely due to its accessibility, but I would still recommend it for those looking for an easy pit stop (or a beach where a taxi could easily drop you off).
We stayed at the Carvi Beach Hotel, which was a 5-minute walk from the beach.
#2 Visit Albufeira & Praia dos Pescadores
Albufeira is a beachside town known for its sandy beaches and busy nightlife. The Algarve felt mostly like a calm beach vacation, but if you’re itching for a night out, Albufeira would be the place for that. After a day at the beach, we went out for a night on the town, and Albufeira did not disappoint. Most bars play Latin or pop music, and the town is peppered with bars throughout, creating a bustling atmosphere with good vibes.
Albufeira is also a base for boat tours, so spending a few days here as a base to book a few boat tours would be recommended. If you’re wondering what to do in the Algarve, Albufeira is a must-visit. Whether it’s enjoying the beaches or the vibrant nightlife, there’s always something exciting to do in the Algarve, and Albufeira is at the heart of it.
#3 Take a Boat Tour
I cannot recommend a boat tour enough in the Algarve. There are so many spots in the Algarve that are accessible only by boat, and there is something about a secluded beach that always makes the highlight of any summer vacation for me. We booked this all-day boat trip, which toured us through a few grottos and beautiful cliff sites. Eventually, they dropped us off at a beach where we were able to enjoy the day and explore. If you’re thinking about one of the best things to do in Algarve, booking a boat tour should be at the top of your list.
The boat tour was 6h30 min in duration, so it does take up a full day, but trust me when I say it is a day extremely well spent. The tour is also all-inclusive, meaning they include a bbq lunch on the beach, beer & wine, and water sports equipment for people to use. This cruise leaves out of Albufeira, so it is perfect for one of your Albufeira days. You can find the tour here on Viator.
#4 Benagil Cave
What better things to do in the Algarve than visit the most known sea cave in Portugal? Benagil Cave is a huge sea cave in the Algarve, and you can only access it by boat. It is quite a tourist destination though, so you’ll often see crowds of people and small boats coming in and out. This surprisingly didn’t take away much from the beauty of the cave though.
Once you enter, you are surrounded by the same rock formation that covers the coast of the Algarve. The light at the top of the cave illuminates the inside, and peeks in from the several other entrance points around the cave. This was one of those touristy activities that was well worth it, and the stops along the way were equally as beautiful too.
How to Get to Benagil Cave
To get to Benagil Cave, we booked a kayaking tour, which I was thankful for because we were able to take our kayaks completely inside the cave to swim and walk the small beach. Many boat tours were too big and stopped at the beginning of the entrance to let visitors view the cave. A warning: our kayak tour was a tough trip as the water was choppy that day, especially at the end. If you’d rather save your soreness for another day, I’ve outlined the tour we did plus a few other Benagil Cave experiences below.
- Kayak Adventure – 2h30 min, a catamaran takes you and your kayaks to another beach where you are dropped off to officially start the kayaking portion of the excursion. Rated well for beginners.
- Xplore Benagil – 2 hours, kayak from Benagil Beach to Benagil cave. Experience with kayaking is recommended as you are kayaking the entire 2 hours. This is the one we did and it was worth the work! If you’re unsure, you can read their TripAdvisor reviews here.
- Speedboat Tour – 2 hours, the speedboat is small enough to enter the cave however you will not be exiting the speedboat to walk the cave’s beach or swim.
#5 Praia dos Estudantes
This picturesque beach is as beautiful as it is unique for photo opportunities. Praia dos Estudantes is a sandy beach surrounded by overhanging cliffs and is known for its Roman-style bridge as a photo opp for visitors. The bridge was part of the Pinhão Fortress that was destroyed during an earthquake in the 1700’s. The beach is also known for the various natural tunnels that connect different parts of the beach.
Praia dos Estudantes is not far from old-town Lagos and we were able to walk to it on foot from our hotel in Lagos.
