Algarve is the beautiful coastline of southern Portugal and is a wonderful destination for your holiday. A region of extreme diversity and contrasts; there is pristine natural scenery, traditional fishing villages, and party-focused resort towns. These all mean that Algarve will appeal to a wide range of tourists, families, thrillseekers, or those seeking a cultural experience. Here is our list of the best 10 sights of the Algarve that you must visit.
- Benagil cave
The Benagil Cave (also named Algar de Benagil) is one of the most spectacular natural features of the Algarve coastline. A massive sea cave with golden strata walls and an enclosed sandy beach, which is illuminated by sunlight flooding in via the wide hole in the ceiling. The cave is inaccessible from the cliffs above and only can be reached via tour boat, kayak, SUP or even swimming from the adjoining beach.
Benagil cave is the most magical when no one else is there, but in the summer expect it to be rammed with tourists.
- Cabo de São Vicente
The Cabo de São Vicente is the southwestern tip of mainland Europe, and up until the 14th century was thought to be the end of the known world. This dramatic and wind-blasted headland is ideal if you appreciate nature’s raw beauty and immense power. Colossal waves crash against the towering cliffs, and powerful winds sweep the cliff tops preventing any meaningful vegetation from growing.
A visit to Cabo de São Vicente is often combined with a trip to Sagres.
- Ponta da Piedade
The Ponta da Piedade is a picturesque headland south of Lagos. Within Ponta da Piedade are sea arches, hidden grottos and precariously balanced sea pillars, all lapped by the turquoise sea waters. It is formed of miss-shapen cliffs and jagged rock formations, which have been carved into the golden sandstone cliffs by winter storms.
Ponta da Piedade is the most beautiful natural feature in the Algarve. The cliffs are scenic when viewed from the landside, but to appreciate the real beauty, charter a small boat from Lagos harbor to navigate around the base of the cliff formations.
- Ferragudo
Ferragudo is one of the last remaining unspoiled fishing villages of the central Algarve. It lies on the sheltered waters of the Arada estuary, and to the south of the village are the golden sands of the Praia Grande Beach and the picturesque Praia dos Caneiros. Within the village are a traditional fisherman’s quarter and a charming harbor front in a Portuguese style. A delightful place to visit.
- Praia da Marinha
The Praia da Marinha is frequently regarded as the most beautiful beach in the Algarve. It is a stunning beach, with golden sandstone cliffs, soft sands, and cool turquoise sea waters. Within these waters are numerous rock pools, which at low tide are teeming with marine life. They give also the beach its name. At the western end of the Praia da Marinha is a double sea arch creating a unique heart-shaped headland on the cliffs.
- Silves and its Castle
Silves is a charming town with a distinctly Portuguese ambiance that makes for an enjoyable day trip from the coastal towns.
Silves was both an important stronghold and trading town for the Moors, and remnants of this illustrious past are seen throughout the town. There are massive walls and a Gothic cathedral that was originally a mosque.
The Castle of Silves is an imposing monument that stands high above the town of Silves, and from here the Moors ruled over the entire Algarve from the 9th to 12th centuries.
- Bones Chapel in Faro
The Capela dos Ossos (Bones Chapel) in Faro is one of the strangest and most macabre sights of the Algarve. In this creepy chapel, the bones of over 1,100 monks line the walls, and the skulls of the deceased are even used to create geometric patterns.
On the entrance to the chapel is an inscription that reads (in Portuguese) “Stop here and consider, that you will arrive at this state too” – as a motivation for you to travel more and make the most of your life!
- Tavira
Tavira is the finest and the most romantic town in the Algarve. This delightful town straddles the Gilão River and boasts a castle, more than thirty churches, and traditional tiled houses lining cobbled streets. The town still retains its authentic Portuguese atmosphere. Tavira is close to the pristine beaches on the Ilha de Tavira as well. There is no prettier town in the Algarve than Tavira.
Click here for Tavira Tourist Guide
- Anchor Cemetery
The Anchor Cemetery can be found on Praia do Barril (Barril Beach), one of the finest beaches in the eastern Algarve. This cemetery is a permanent memorial to a failed fishing community and the eradication of tuna fish stocks from the Algarve seas. Tuna fishing from this beach became uneconomical in 1964, and the hundreds of anchors used to hold the complex nets were placed in the sand dunes. Today the anchors stand rusting here, but tourism has brought new life to the beach.
- Vila Real de Santo António
Vila Real de Santo António is a peaceful town, sitting on the mighty Guadiana River at the far eastern side of the Algarve, with a grand Baroque town center reminiscent of Lisbon, and a pretty waterfront overlooking the river and the Spanish border. To the south of Vila Real are deserted beaches and departing from the harbor is a ferry that crosses into Spain.
Vila Real is an enjoyable day trip if you are on holiday in the east of the Algarve.
Click here for Vila Real de Santo António Tourist Guide
