Cidade Turismo
Portugal
Algarve

Faro · Portugal

Algarve

The southern coast of Portugal, with golden cliffs, sea caves and the Ria Formosa lagoon, between Lagos, Albufeira, Faro and Tavira.

Lisboa e Sul

In the photo: Praia da Marinha in the Algarve

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The Algarve is the southernmost region of mainland Portugal, facing the Atlantic, and corresponds to the district of Faro. It is the country's main beach destination, with about 200 km of coastline and more sunny days than the rest of Portugal.

To the west, the coast is cut by golden rock cliffs, arches and caves, such as the Ponta da Piedade in Lagos and the Algar de Benagil near Albufeira. At the far southwest are Sagres and the Cabo de São Vicente, a point of Europe where the sea is open and very windy.

To the east, the coast changes: the Ria Formosa, a natural park of lagoons protected by sand islands, stretches from Faro to near Tavira. Faro, the district capital, has a walled old town and the region’s airport; Tavira, quieter, has white houses and an old bridge over the Rio Gilão.

The European summer, from June to September, is the beach season, but the Atlantic water is usually cold even in August. Outside summer, towns are calmer and good for coastal walks.

This destination brings together 4 cities: Faro, Albufeira, Lagos, Tavira.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Algarve is
FaroAlbufeiraLagosTavira

Contornos: Direção-Geral do Território, CAOP 2025, CC BY 4.0. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Algarve

✈ Aeroporto de Faro (FAO) · 7 km to Faro

Faro Airport (FAO) receives flights from Europe. Check before booking. From Lisbon, the train takes about three hours to Faro, and by car it’s about 280 km via the A2.

Suggested arrival point: Faro

The local experience

Things to do in Algarve

Centro Histórico de Lagos
Lagos · Faro · Historic center

Centro Histórico de Lagos

Walled old town of Lagos, with the Praça do Infante, the statue of Infante D. Henrique, the Mercado de Escravos, the Forte da Ponta da Bandeira and stone streets full of restaurants.

Centro Histórico de Tavira
Tavira · Faro · Historic center

Centro Histórico de Tavira

White houses line both banks of the Rio Gilão, linked by the old seven-arched bridge, with the Praça da República, churches, the old market and the town's characteristic four-sloped roofs.

Cidade Velha de Albufeira
Albufeira · Faro · Historic center

Cidade Velha de Albufeira

Old quarter of white houses and narrow streets on the cliff, which descends to Praia dos Pescadores, where fishing boats still sit on the sand. A tunnel links the town to the beach.

Cidade Velha de Faro
Faro · Faro · Historic center

Cidade Velha de Faro

The old core of Faro, enclosed by walls of Roman and Muslim origin, with cobbled streets, Largo da Sé and the Câmara Municipal. The main entrance is the Arco da Vila, from the 19th century, with stork nests on top.

See 17 more places in Algarve
Castelo de Tavira e Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo
Tavira · Faro · Castle

Castelo de Tavira e Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo

Remains of the medieval castle at Tavira's highest point, with a garden inside the walls and views over the roofs and the Ria Formosa. Beside it, the Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo houses the tomb of D. Paio Peres Correia.

Igreja de Santo António
Lagos · Faro · Church

Igreja de Santo António

Early 18th-century church with a simple façade and an interior covered in gilded woodwork, tiles and paintings. Next door is the Museu Municipal Dr. José Formosinho.

Praia da Falésia
Albufeira · Faro · Beach

Praia da Falésia

Beach about 6 km east of Albufeira, with sand and clay cliffs in shades of red, orange and white, topped by pine trees at the top.

Sé de Faro
Faro · Faro · Cathedral

Sé de Faro

Cathedral built after the Christian conquest of 1249, on the site of the former mosque, mixing Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles. The entrance tower-portal is a remaining Gothic feature.

Algar de Benagil
Albufeira · Faro · Cave

Algar de Benagil

Sea cave on the coast of Lagoa, with an opening in the roof through which light falls onto a small internal beach. Visited by boat or guided kayak; landing and access by swimming are prohibited.

Igreja do Carmo e Capela dos Ossos
Faro · Faro · Church

Igreja do Carmo e Capela dos Ossos

Baroque 18th-century church, with a two-tower façade and gilded woodwork inside. At the back is the Capela dos Ossos, from 1816, with walls covered in bones and skulls of Carmelite friars.

Ilha de Tavira
Tavira · Faro · Beach

Ilha de Tavira

Sandy island of the Ria Formosa opposite Tavira, with about 11 km of Atlantic-facing beach. It is reached by boat from the town or from Quatro Águas.

Ponta da Piedade
Lagos · Faro · Observation deck

Ponta da Piedade

Promontory of golden cliffs south of Lagos, with arches, rock columns and caves, a lighthouse and a stairway that descends to sea level. Boat and kayak tours go into the grottos.

Museu Municipal de Faro
Faro · Faro · Museum

Museu Municipal de Faro

Museum housed in the Convento de Nossa Senhora da Assunção, from the 16th century, with a Renaissance cloister and a large Roman mosaic of the god Oceanus found in Faro.

Praia da Marinha
Albufeira · Faro · Beach

Praia da Marinha

Beach among golden cliffs and rock arches in the municipality of Lagoa, the starting point of the Sete Vales Suspensos trail, which follows the coast to Praia de Vale Centeanes.

Praia do Barril
Tavira · Faro · Beach

Praia do Barril

Beach on the Ilha de Tavira where an old tuna-fishing rig once stood. Hundreds of rusted anchors lined up on the dunes form the so-called anchor cemetery.

Praia Dona Ana
Lagos · Faro · Beach

Praia Dona Ana

Small sandy beach between cliffs and isolated rocks, a few minutes from Lagos centre, with water in shades of green and blue on calm days.

Cacela Velha
Tavira · Faro · Village

Cacela Velha

Small white village atop a cliff overlooking the Ria Formosa, with a church, a fortress and views of the lagoon and the islands. It is about 13 km from Tavira.

Marina de Albufeira
Albufeira · Faro · Marina

Marina de Albufeira

Marina west of Albufeira centre, surrounded by buildings painted in bright colors, with restaurants and departures for boat trips along the coast.

Meia Praia
Lagos · Faro · Beach

Meia Praia

Extensive, flat beach east of Lagos, with about 4 km of sand, good for walking and for those who prefer a beach without stairs.

Parque Natural da Ria Formosa
Faro · Faro · Natural park

Parque Natural da Ria Formosa

Coastal lagoon protected by sand islands along about 60 km of the eastern Algarve coast, with channels, marshes and island beaches. Boat trips leave Faro for islands such as Deserta and Culatra.

Fortaleza de Sagres
Lagos · Faro · Fortress

Fortaleza de Sagres

Fortress on a promontory of cliffs about 33 km from Lagos, linked to the memory of Infante D. Henrique, with a large stone compass rose on the ground and trails along the seafront.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From June to September is the beach season, with more activity in July and August. May and October usually have warm days and fewer people. Winter, from December to February, is mild for walks, but many beachfront restaurants close.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Four to five days allow you to see Faro, the Ria Formosa, Tavira, Albufeira with Benagil and Lagos with the Ponta da Piedade. Those coming for the beach usually stay a week or more, based in one place.

Which city to stay in

Lagos is close to the Ponta da Piedade and Sagres, with a lively historic center. Albufeira has the largest hotel offer and nightlife, and is in the middle of the coast. Faro has the airport, the station and the Ria Formosa, and is convenient for those arriving by train. Tavira is quieter, near the island beaches to the east. Those looking for beach and quiet usually choose smaller villages among these towns.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Algarve

Which city to choose as a base in the Algarve?

Lagos for the west, with the Ponta da Piedade and Sagres; Albufeira for the center of the coast and Benagil; Faro or Tavira for the Ria Formosa and the east. With a car, any of them works to explore the region.

Do you need a car in the Algarve?

It helps a lot, because beaches and caves are outside the towns. Without a car, regional trains connect Lagos, Albufeira, Faro and Tavira, and there are buses. The A22 motorway has electronic tolls with no booths: check with the rental company.

Is the sea water in the Algarve warm?

No. It’s the Atlantic and is usually cold even in the European summer, a bit less so on the east side near Tavira.

What’s the best time to go to the Algarve?

June to September for the beach, with July and August busier. May and October are usually pleasant and quieter.

Can you do a day trip from Lisbon to the Algarve?

It’s far for one day: it’s about three hours each way. Ideally stay at least two nights.

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