Things To Do in The Algarve

Wiggle your way through the forested Serra de Monchique Mountains and you’ll arrive in this eucalyptus-scented spa town. It’s made up of pastel-painted buildings and has a small square crammed with cafés and shops. Try some of the famous spa water, rumoured to cure almost anything. The only thing to disturb your peace here will be the odd horse and cart.

It’s worth scaling the ramparts of this red sandstone castle for the views of Silves and the surrounding countryside alone. Built in the 8th century when the town was the Moorish HQ of the Algarve, it’s the grandest Islamic building in the region. Have a photo taken next to the huge stone soldier who stands guard, and check out the wells, said to be haunted by a Moorish maiden.

You might wonder how this enormous red sandstone castle – about half an hour from Sao Rafael – came to tower over this sleepy little town. Well, Silves hasn’t always been so quiet. More than a thousand years ago it was the Moorish capital of the Algarve, and its streets buzzed with bazaars and traders. Keep an eye out for the castle’s two remaining wells, but be warned – legend has it the larger one is haunted by a maiden.

This beach, just a few minutes’ taxi ride from Albufeira, has got its fair share of tongues wagging in its time – it’s been called ‘the best beach in the Algarve’ and the ‘fourth best beach in Europe’. The secret to its success? A combination of fine, caramel-coloured sand and impressive limestone rock formations.

You could say this windblown cliff is the end of Europe, although back in the day, the locals thought it was the end of the world. It's the south-westernmost tip of Europe and plunges down a hair-raising 75 metres into the Atlantic, so the views down to Praia de Beliche surfing beach are impressive to say the least. Plus, you can spot kestrels, peregrine falcons and Bonelli’s eagles.

You’ll find this band of gold sand just outside Albufeira’s old town. It’s known locally as Fisherman’s Beach, because local fishermen unload their catch here every morning. By lunchtime, the lion’s share will be cooking in the sand-side restaurants.

The Michelin Guide rates this beach as one of the best in Europe and it’s easy to see why. The sand is gold and the limestone rocks that jut out of the sea look like a natural sculpture gallery. The beach is a 30-minute drive from Albufeira, but it’s more than worth the journey.

Around 12,000 people a year stop off to explore these famous remains just outside Estoi. A national monument, the site has ruins from an assortment of eras – expect Roman baths, a Christian church and an Islamic cemetery. Don’t miss the most impressive, a 2,000-year-old Roman villa. It’s in pretty good nick considering its age – you can still see the mosaics decorating its rooms.

Picture your typical Algarve village and flower-filled Alte is exactly what you’ll imagine – cobbled lanes and whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs and blue shutters. You’ll find it in the foothills of the Serra do Caldeirao, and you can hear natural spring water trickling in the mountains above. Tick off the Big and Small Fountains and impressive 18th-century church while you’re there.

The Algarve is Europe’s most popular golfing spot – and for good reason. The region is home to more than 30 courses, the majority of which come with beautiful surroundings and great views. Think 9-hole courses dotted with oaks and pines, and dramatic 18-holers perched on cliffs high above the sea. One of the most spectacular is in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, about 50 minutes from Albufeira. The 18-hole course is set among vineyards and orange trees.

The weekend before Shrove Tuesday is carnival time in the Algarve, and it’s a 3-day-long extravaganza celebrated with fancy dress parades, live music and fireworks. Loule, about 20 minutes’ drive from Olhos d’Agua, puts on the best processions – just be prepared for the water bombs, eggs and flour which are lobbed at onlookers in friendly spirit.

Whether you want to speed down kamikaze slides, brave the darkness of black holes or snake along lazy rivers, you won’t be short on waterparks in the Algarve. In fact, the region notches up 4. For super go-fast chutes, give Aqualand, Aquashow or Slide and Splash a try. Families with little ones, meanwhile, can get gentler kicks at Atlantic Park.

This film festival has been going for more than 40 years and draws entries from all over the world. The main events take place in Portimao, but Albuferia gets its share of the action, too. Keep an eye out for posters around the town centre advertising screenings.

Capela dos Ossos means Chapel of the Bones, so it’s not hard to imagine the building materials used here. A group of 16th-century monks decorated this church with the bones of their brothers in an attempt to warn people of their own mortality. More than 5,000 human skulls and bones – held together with cement – line the walls, and there are even two full skeletons hanging from the ceiling. The easiest way to get here is from Olhos d’Agua – the journey takes about 40 minutes in a taxi.

Pine-cloaked cliffs and rocky headlands frame the honey-coloured sands of Olhos d’Agua. If you look closely, you’ll see freshwater springs bubbling out of the sands. Little ones love exploring the rock pools here, and there are also some hidden coves nearby, which are great snorkelling spots.

With its biscuit-coloured sands and translucent waters, Sao Rafael is worthy of its Blue Flag status. It’s scattered with arched limestone rock formations, which provide giant shady spots when the sun gets too hot. Plus, you’ll find the whole spectrum of watersports, with everything from scuba diving to sailing on offer.

Meia Praia’s swathe of sand runs from the eastern side of Lagos, all the way down to the beach in Ria de Alvor, forming a massive natural bay that’s almost 5 kilometres long. The western section is a hotspot for watersports like surfing and body boarding, and has a good selection of snack bars and cafés. To really switch off, though, head for the quieter eastern section.

Just a few minutes’ drive from Albufeira is this 6-kilometre sweep of sand. Serene and unspoilt, it’s overlooked by striking red and white cliffs and a handful of restaurants. If you’ve hired a car, you can park up at the car park at the top of the cliffs. From here, there’s staircase built into the rock that leads you down to the sand.

With sheer cliffs plunging 75 metres into the sea and waves pounding the rocks below, it’s easy to see how the most south-western point in Europe was once thought to be the edge of the world. Glance up and you’ll spot eagles, falcons and kites soaring overhead. It’s around an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Albufeira, and the place gets fairly busy in the summer, but if you walk a bit further out from the centre, you’ll have the windswept sands all to yourself.

This little spa town has been welcoming visitors since Roman times, and during the 19th century it was a favourite of the Spanish bourgeoisie. Set in pine-dotted mountains, about 40 minutes’ drive from Albufeira, the town’s pastel-painted buildings cluster around a small square. Try some of the spa water while you’re here. Rich in sodium and fluorides, it’s said to cure pretty much anything.

It’s not every day you see a zoo, a funfair and a waterpark all rolled into one. So it’s no surprise this theme park has an endless to-do list. High dive shows, performing parrots and swimming with dolphins all make the cut. The state-of-the-art 4D cinema is a must, and you’ll find all the usual suspects in the fairground area – a pirate ship, a log flume, a rollercoaster and a big wheel.

Translated, Praia d’Oura means Golden Beach, which gives you a good idea of the aesthetics here. This stretch of sand and shingle unravels for just under 5 kilometres, and is framed by craggy cliffs. Because of its proximity to town, Albufeira locals often head down here in the evenings to play football and picnic as the sun goes down.

Praia d’Oura is a 20-minute walk from the centre of Albufeira. The name translates as Golden Beach and it does exactly what it says on the tin. Unroll your towel on the western end if you want to be close to the restaurants and watersports facilities. Or, set up camp on the east end if you fancy a bit more room to manoeuvre.

With 4 waterparks to its name, the Algarve can reel off an impressive list of corkscrews, kamikazes and black holes. For serious rides, give Aqualand, Slide and Splash or Aquashow a go – they’re all within a 10-minute drive of Albufeira. For something a little tamer, try Atlantic Park near Faro. This one has gentler water rides, children’s quad bikes and bouncy castles.