At the end of Europe: wandering through the Algarve
EuropeThe Algarve, in southwestern Portugal, boasts a beautiful and diverse landscape. You'll find beautiful beaches surrounded by rugged cliffs and quiet streets in charming fishing villages. There's plenty to discover, whether you enjoy the beach, hiking, or simply enjoying delicious food. In this blog post, I'll share my favorite spots in this region.
Transport in the Algarve
If you want to visit different places and discover the most beautiful beaches, it's recommended to rent a car. We rented a car through SunnyCars, directly from Faro airport. This allowed us to explore as much of this beautiful region as possible at our own pace. A bonus: we found free parking everywhere.
Don't have a car? You can also travel between different places by train or bus. The train goes all the way to Lagos. To visit the beaches, you'll need to take a taxi. In Portugal, you can also use apps like Bolt and Uber. You can also combine a visit to the Algarve with other beautiful places in Portugal, such as Lisbon. In my blog post about Lisbon, you can read about all the things you can do there.
Where to stay?
There are several places from which you can easily explore the Algarve. Here are a few suggestions:
Sagres: Do you like relaxed surfing villages? Then Sagres is the perfect place to stay during your trip to the Algarve. We stayed here ourselves, partly because I was going surfing for a few days. This village turned out to be the perfect base for our Algarve trip.
Lagos: Looking for a bit more liveliness and hustle and bustle? Then Lagos is the place to be. This vibrant town has a charming town center, beautiful beaches, and plenty of dining and nightlife options.
Luz: Do you find Lagos a bit too big or touristy? Then choose Luz, a charming suburb of Lagos. Luz is a bit smaller compared to Lagos, but still very lively.
The nicest places in the Algarve
Surfing in Sagres: the end of the (old) world
It's no coincidence that I mention Sagres first in this blog post. If you enjoy a relaxed surf atmosphere, you'll automatically be delighted by this charming village. Because of its location, skippers used to call Sagres the "end of the world": a nickname that's still widely used. Sagres isn't large: you can walk from the beach to the edge of town in about twenty minutes. This makes everything easily accessible on foot when you're staying here. Sagres has a few nice shops focusing primarily on clothing and surf gear.
There are also several great restaurants where you can enjoy a meal, a drink, or work:
Arte Bianca - Cucina Italiana - Sagres
When you're in Sagres, you can't miss Arte Bianca. This restaurant even made it into the Top 50 Pizza 2024 ranking! They also offer delicious vegan pizzas.
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Bar restaurante Three Little Birds
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, or drinks: Three Little Birds has it all. The delicious French fries and Snickers cake are highly recommended!
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Laundry Lounge Sagres
Laundry Lounge is also the place to go for a delicious breakfast, lunch, drink, or dinner. But it doesn't stop there. As the name suggests, you can also do your laundry! I was able to work well here for a day (stable internet) and was provided with delicious coffee. And, a bonus, they also offer yoga every morning (and in the afternoons during summer).
Several surfing beaches are easily accessible from the village, such as Praia do Tonel and Castelejo Beach. Sagres itself also boasts a beautiful, expansive beach: Praia da Mareta, which is especially suitable for beginner surfers. It's a wonderful place to relax and sunbathe, but it's recommended to walk a little further to the right, where you can lie down in a smaller, sheltered cove.
A must-see in the village is the historic naval fort with its fortified wall, which you can visit. Many people also take a walk from Sagres to the lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente, an impressive viewpoint. Definitely recommended at sunset! Along the way, you'll pass the beautiful beach of Praia do Beliche and the ruins of Forte do Beliche.
Shopping tip near Sagres:
Ceramica Paraiso
Definitely visit this shop if you're in the area. It's an 8-minute ride from Sagres. The exterior is very photogenic (see the main photo of this blog), and inside you'll find a huge selection of ceramics!
View on Google MapsFerragudo: a picturesque fishing village
As soon as you enter Ferragudo, you're treated to a stunning view of the village and Portimão, especially from the panoramic viewpoint (Panoramic Point). Then, stroll straight into the charming village square, lined with terraces where you can relax.
Wandering through the narrow cobbled streets, you'll see white houses with colorful accents everywhere: typically Portuguese and very photogenic. At the edge of the village, near the beach, you can see Ferragudo Castle. Unfortunately, you can't visit the castle inside, but it's certainly worth a visit.
In short, a lovely place to spend a few hours wandering around, having a drink, and soaking up the atmosphere.
Activities near Ferragudo:
Foto-spot Algar Seco
A 13-minute drive from Ferragudo, in Carvoeiro, you'll find Algar Seco. This photo spot, where you peer through a small opening in the rocks, offers a beautiful view of the sea.
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Earth Shop & Café
After your visit to the photo spot, visit this restaurant for delicious food and drinks. The vegan quesadillas are highly recommended!
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Luz and surroundings: hiking, viewpoints and hidden beaches
Luz, a suburb of Lagos, is primarily known as a lively seaside resort. The beach, Praia da Luz, boasts a lively promenade with several restaurants. Near the beach is a viewpoint offering stunning views of Luz, the sea, the beach, and the black rock of Rocha Negra. Several hiking trails lead to this viewpoint. Those who fancy a longer walk can take the 11-kilometer trail from Luz to Lagos. This trail takes you past the impressive cliffs of Ponta da Piedade and is definitely worth the effort.
On the west side of Luz lies the small town of Burgau. Although it's not large, it's enjoyable to stroll through. The white and blue houses sometimes lead to comparisons with Santorini. Drive a little further (about 20 minutes) and you'll reach Figueira Beach. From the parking lot, it's about a ten-minute walk to this tranquil beach, surrounded by cliffs. It's a lovely place to escape the hustle and bustle.
Must-visit eatery near Luz:
ALGARVEGAN Hummus Bar
Yes, you have to go here! With a very well-deserved 5-star Google rating, a visit to this food truck is a must during your trip to the Algarve. We recommend trying both the hummus and the falafel. The hummus bar is a 9-minute ride from Luz.
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From cliffs to coffee shops: Lagos and surroundings
A visit to Ponta da Piedade is a must when visiting the Algarve. This impressive rock formation is one of the most beautiful spots in the region. Wooden walkways surround the cliffs, where you can stroll and enjoy the views of the rocks and the ocean. As you walk from here towards Lagos's old town, you'll pass beautiful beaches like Praia do Camilo, Praia dos Estudantes, and Praia da Batata, each with its own unique charm.
Lagos's historic center is vibrant and full of atmosphere, with countless shops and charming squares. Wander through the narrow streets and admire the colorful buildings, some adorned with street art. Be sure to visit the beautiful Praça Luís de Camões, a square surrounded by buildings adorned with traditional Portuguese tiles. In the surrounding area, you'll also find many charming restaurants and cozy cafés where you can take a break.
My tips for restaurants and ice cream in Lagos:
Restaurante The Garden
This awesome restaurant is tucked away behind a wall and opens onto a beautiful garden. It's an oasis of calm in the bustling city, perfect for a delicious meal.
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Empanadas & Co.
Here you can order different types of empanadas, including two vegan versions!
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Twin Fin
This surf café and bar is the perfect spot for coffee, brunch, dinner, or drinks. The atmosphere is relaxed.
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GeIícia - Italian Gelato - Lagos
Definitely go here if you're looking for delicious ice cream. They even have vegan vanilla ice cream!
View on Google MapsFrom surfing in Sagres to strolling through the streets of Ferragudo, the Algarve is the perfect start to your next adventure!
Useful information
Official language: Portuguese
Currency: Euro
Area: 100 km²
Best time to travel: May to October. To avoid the crowds, visit the Algarve outside of peak season (July and August).
