10 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN EL ALGARVE

Looking for ideas of things what to see and do in the Algarve? You are in the right place! Recently we were lucky enough to enjoy a housesitting in the Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal, full of coves, wild beaches and white villages dotted with churches and tile houses. This post is intended for those who have at least 10-15 days to enjoy the Algarve, but before starting let us tell us two things:

1. The positive: the Algarve is a surprising region, quite low cost and with many interesting places
2. The negative: it was our first trip there so we don't know how it was a few years ago but today it is VERY touristy. This inevitably subtracts some charm.

Now, let's go with the best 10 things to see and do in the Algarve.

Ponta da Piedade, a set of cliffs, caves and coves with crystal clear waterIt is possibly the place that impressed us the most in the Algarve. Take time to explore it and enjoy it to the fullest.

There are also boat tours that will take you to see the caves, the stone arches and the beaches from another perspective. Now you want to live a super original experience, we advise you to do a kayak tour. You can book it here.

We decided to stop in Tavira back to Spain and it was a success. The city turned out to be nice, clean and beautiful, so don't forget to put it on your Portuguese wishlist. Stroll through Rua da Libertade and for him Public Garden, visit the churches of the Mercy and do Carmo, go up at castle walls and enjoy the views over the city and cross its famous Roman bridge. We did not have time to enjoy its beaches ... we will return!

Tip: if you have time, take a tour of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

Benagil was one of the first beaches we visited and it was love at first sight. From here boat trips leave that will take you to discover the nearby Benagil Cave (famous for its openings in the 'roof') and a few more caves, spread all over the coast.

Although if you do not have time, desire or money for the excursion, do not worry: relax on this beach, bathe in its waters or explore the surroundings on foot, it is a great plan!

Our housesitting hosts were blunt: you have to go to Silves. Said and done: we went to this medieval citadel where, in one morning, we toured the historic center, we joined the Mass in the Cathedral for a few minutes, climbed the castle and fell in love with a few facades of pink, blue and white tiles.

To put the finishing touch to a great excursion we went to eat roasted sardines and chicken piri piri al Monchiqueiro, between the municipal market and the river. The menu of the day costs less than € 8 and is highly recommended. It usually gets full soon, so eat early ... or late! If instead you want to hit a whim you can eat in the Mariscaria Rui (R. Comendador Vilarinho 27), Maria and Francesco recommended it to us Our footprints the way.

We have contrasting feelings about Lagos: on the one hand we cannot deny its appeal, but on the other, pouf, how overwhelming! We found it too much, too touristy ... that was full of English tourists and the truth is that it still has a lot of charm. We recommend your visit anyway, more than anything because Ponta da Piedade Y Doña Ana Praia They are two must-see visits ... and are just minutes from downtown!

We intended to eat at the famous Casinha do Petiscos, but after being on the waiting list for more than 45 minutes and seeing that the thing was going long, we decided to throw in the towel and eat a cataplana in the nearby Inna Bar. Here, the cataplana for two costs € 24, it was good although as it was the only one we ate we have no references to compare it. Nor was it a dish that made us cry with emotion so we recommend you go to the Casinha do Petisco, where they say you eat the best cataplana in Lagos (€ 30 for two people). Of course, considering the queue that was best to go to eat about 12 or about 15.

By the way, from Lagos there are some amazing tours to see whales, if it's season ... don't think about it! And if you always wanted to learn to surf, it is also a good place to do it. There are 3-hour surf lessons for only € 30

Tired? There are 5 other things to see and do in the Algarve!

Wikipedia photo

Murphy's law wanted that, the day we wanted to go to Lagos, Sagres and after San Vicente, it was the only one that rained us, so halfway, in Lagos, we decided not to continue with the initial plan. I do not know if we did well or not, the good thing is that we have one more reason to return and that is, reaching the end of San Vicente is one of the things to do in the Algarve yes or yes.

A fishing village that has managed to gain a foothold in the heart of tourists: Carvoeiro is picturesque and beautiful, too touristy? We believe that it is still time to maintain some personality and not sell the soul to satisfy the guiri-media.

Its beach is an essential stop, as well as walking the wooden path that connects the town to the Boneca Grotto, from where you will have stunning views through the two 'eyes' of the cave.

Tip: if you feel like booking a tour to explore marine caves in rowing surfboard, it is certainly a unique experience!

It is one of the most typical postcards of all Portugal, and while the Algarve is dotted with stunning beaches, we stay with it. The Praia da Marinha is one of those places that leave you speechless thanks to its cliffs, the rocks and its transparent waters (and cold, brr!). Without a doubt, getting here is one of the essential things What to see and do in the Algarve!

They are not the most beautiful and impressive places in the Algarve, but their villages, those that do not appear in any list, those that are not visited by anyone other than their inhabitants, hide a pleasant surprise: authenticity. They are shown as they are and are not intended to make the visitor fall in love and that is a gift.

We have stayed in Algoz, we have visited Alcantarilha (where, by the way, there is a chapel full of bones and skulls), Olhao (full of graffiti and street art) and one of the best meals we had in Guide. Get out of the marked route and let yourself be guided by your instinct!

Gastronomy, for us, has an important place in each trip and in the Algarve you can enjoy fresh, tasty and also quite cheap dishes. Portugal stands for bacalhau (you can try the cream or bacalhau bras) and the Algarve is no exception, although we will remember it especially for the grilled sardines, the chicken piri piri, that rice with duck we ate in Guide, for the fish cataplana and the seafood rice.

The prices vary according to the type of restaurant and the area (obviously in tourist places the rates go up), but you can easily find dishes of the day for € 5.50-6 or menus with drink + bread + dessert for about 7.50- € 8.

If you do not want the bill to go up a couple of euros, be careful of the starters (bread, olives, pates): the waiters will serve you at the table but they are not free.

Inevitably, as in any list, places that may deserve a hole are left out ... it is the case of Faro (here you have a good free tour), Sagres, Albufeira or the famous Praia da Rocha.

So far our list of 10 things to see and do in the Algarve. Do you know this area? What did you like most?

Video: Algarve Top 10 Attractions Must Sees 4K (April 2024).