Last Updated on March 27, 2026 by Adrienne
My family and I recently spent several days exploring the Algarve Coast of Portugal, and we were completely charmed by the gorgeous scenery and laidback vibes. Here are five things you shouldn’t miss, even on a quick trip to the Algarve.
Praia de Marinha: The Most Scenic View in the Algarve
It was the views from Marinha Beach that first inspired me to travel to the Algarve. This is the Algarve’s most iconic beach and is definitely one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline I’ve ever seen. In addition to the scenic views, there are lots of walking trails here, both up on the cliffs and down to the beach. If you’re up for a more intense hike, Praia de Marinha is also one endpoint of the Seven Hanging Valleys trail, one of the most well-known hikes in the Algarve.
Falesia Beach: Four Miles of Family-Friendly Paradise
We stayed on Falesia Beach, which was a great choice since we had our preschooler with us. This beach is not only scenic with its dramatic red cliffs, it’s also one of the Algarve’s most family-friendly beaches, with powdery sand and gentle surf. And it stretches for four miles, so you have lots of choice about which part to visit.
Faro: The Algarve’s Capital
Faro is the Algarve’s biggest city and home to its main airport, and it was also my favorite of all the cities we visited on the Algarve Coast. It has beautiful architecture and a laidback Mediterranean vibe, but is enough of a real city so as not to feel overwhelmed with tourists, at least during our March visit.
We enjoyed strolling along the seafront pedestrian promenade and the winding streets of the old town, admiring the Arco da Vila (the beautiful gate to the old town) and exploring the medieval walls that still surround parts of the city. While people understandably come to the Algarve Coast eager to hit the beach, I’d make sure you devote at least a half day to exploring Faro.
A Boat Tour to Benagil Cave
One of the most famous attractions on the Algarve coast is Benagil Cave, a dramatic sea cave with a hole in the roof that lets sunlight pour through. Although nearby Benagil Beach is accessible by car, the secluded cave beach can only be reached from the sea. You can take a boat tour, kayak or paddle-board or, if you’re very brave (and a strong swimmer), swim from Benagil Beach.
I opted for a speedboat tour, and really enjoyed it. Although the cave itself is only a few minutes of the approximately 1.5-2 hour tour, and you may not get fully inside depending on weather conditions (we didn’t), a boat tour of the Algarve coast is very scenic and well worth doing. Tip: do the boat tour early in your visit, because you’ll see many beautiful spots on land you may want to return to.
Exploring the Algarve’s Smaller Towns: Lagos and Olhos de Agua
The beaches and dramatic cliffs were the star of the Algarve for me, but we enjoyed exploring some of the villages that dot the coastline is well. Lagos felt a bit more touristy than Faro, but the downtown area is pretty, and it has a great location close to many of the Algarve’s top beaches. It’s also a walled city, surrounded entirely by the Castle of Lagos.
Olhos de Agua is a tiny fishing village at the west end of Falesia Beach and was walking distance from our hotel, PortoBay Falesia. In addition to some shops and restaurants, the town has its own small beach and a lovely palm tree-lined promenade.
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The Algarve coast looks absolutely stunning. I haven’t heard as much about this area of Portugal, and now you’ve put it on my bucket list!