The Algarve: A corner of Portugal waiting to be explored
Golden cliffs, quiet villages, a sea that changes with the hour and dishes filled with the scent of the ocean. The Algarve is a generous playground, a place where a few days feel blissful and where you may find yourself wanting to stay even longer.
The Algarve: A corner of Portugal waiting to be explored
At the southern tip of Portugal, the Algarve and its capital Faro reveal a succession of landscapes that make you want to explore every corner. And there is plenty to enjoy: rolling ocean waves and surfers, whitewashed villages full of charm, cliff top trails and an atmosphere that encourages you to slow your pace. Hikers will find their paradise in the lush hills of the Serra do Monchique, while beach lovers will be drawn to the golden coves of Lagos, Albufeira and Tavira. The region is also famous for its spectacular sea caves, including those at Benagil, which can be reached by boat or kayak.
For food lovers, the Algarve offers a richly flavoured cuisine built around fresh fish, seafood, local almonds and traditional pastries. Picturesque villages such as Carvoeiro and Silves reveal a fascinating historical heritage, with medieval castles and churches decorated with azulejo tiles. And when the sun goes down, the coastal towns come to life with markets, bars and the lively atmosphere that defines southern Portugal. Follow the guide!
Cities and spots
to visit in the Algarve
The charming port of Faro. © Richard James
Faro
The city, both the gateway to the region and its capital, is a charming mix of azulejos, colourful laundry hanging from windows and leafy squares. As you wander along the cobbled streets lined with elegant townhouses, you will come across the Sé Cathedral, rebuilt after the seventeen fifty five earthquake and now showing a blend of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque influences. For those with a taste for the unusual, the Carmo Church contains the Capela dos Ossos, a small chapel where the walls, vaults and ceilings are lined with the bones of a thousand Carmelite monks.
Silves
Quieter Silves offers a completely different rhythm. Its sloping streets, simple façades and brick coloured castle offer a window into the region’s Moorish past. It is the perfect place to slow down and slip into everyday local life.
Lagos
Lagos immediately draws you in with its lively centre and its winding cobbled streets that feel almost like a small labyrinth. You move from square to square, from a bustling café to a lane that suddenly falls quiet. Only a few minutes away, Ponta da Piedade rises with its natural arches and sculpted cliffs, one of the most striking sights on the coast.
The architecture of the Algarve reflects both Moorish heritage and traditional Portuguese influences. You will see whitewashed façades, colourful azulejos, red tiled roofs and narrow streets that open onto patios filled with flowers, a vivid reminder of the region’s Arab past. Churches and public buildings often reveal a blend of late Gothic, Manueline and Baroque elements. The Manueline style, named after King Manuel the First, combines Gothic and Renaissance forms with maritime motifs. Together, these layers of architecture tell the story of the many eras that shaped the region.
Igreja de Santa Maria in Lagos.© Jojo Franke
Portugal’s famous colorful houses. © Daniel Llorente
Must-try foods
of the Algarve
Fish reigns supreme in the Algarve.
Seafood and fish
Cataplana de Mariscos: A seafood dish cooked in a cataplana (a traditional copper pot with a tight-fitting lid), often including mussels, shrimp, clams, and fish, flavored with garlic, tomatoes, and coriander.
Grilled sardines: Very popular, especially in summer, often served with bread and grilled vegetables.
Polvo à Lagareiro: Oven-roasted octopus with olive oil, garlic, and potatoes.
Caldeirada: A stew made with a variety of fish, sometimes including potatoes and vegetables.
Meats
Porco Preto: Black pork from the neighboring Alentejo region, traditionally roasted or made into sausages.
Cabrito Assado: Roasted kid goat, often served during festivals and celebrations.
Local specialties and tapas
Açorda de Marisco: A bread-based soup with garlic, coriander, and seafood.
Pataniscas de Bacalhau: Fried cod fritters, crispy on the outside and soft inside.
Desserts and pastries
Dom Rodrigo: Traditional dessert made with almonds and egg yolks.
Fios de Ovos: Sweet egg threads used in many desserts.
Queijadas and Travesseiros: Sweet, flaky pastries, sometimes filled with cream or milk.
Drinks
Algarve wines: Red, white, and especially rosé wines, highly recommended with seafood.
Medronho: Traditional spirit distilled from the fruit of the medronho tree (strawberry tree), typical of the region.
On holiday in Portugal, you simply can’t miss trying a pastel de nata.
Charming places
to stay in the Algarve
Casa Cortiça in Silves
Located in the heart of the historic centre of Silves, Casa Cortiça is a former cork factory that has been transformed into a luxury villa. Its unique charm reflects the personalities of its owners, Marissa and Mark, two Amsterdam based travellers with a real love for discovery.
« We wanted to create a place where comfort and conviviality come first, while still preserving the history of the building », explains Marissa. The renovation took five years and involved administrative steps, archaeological studies and the careful restoration of the original roof from eighteen ninety two. The result is a villa that brings modernity and authenticity together with ease, creating an atmosphere that feels both warm and deeply soothing.
Casa Elias in Silves
Casa Elias has a history that goes back to before nineteen fifty four and was carefully restored by Rita and her family to showcase the charm of traditional Portuguese style while adding a contemporary touch. The interior is simple and comfortable, finding an easy balance between rustic character and refined design. With two double bedrooms, two single mezzanine beds, a bright living room and a fully equipped kitchen, the house can host up to four guests, making it an ideal place for families or couples.
Large windows open onto the garden and the private pool, with beautiful views of the surrounding valley. Time seems to slow here, and each morning brings shifting light across the hills, perfect for a quiet moment or a coffee while taking in the scenery.
From Casa Elias, you can admire the beautiful landscape.
Renting a house in the Algarve
Quinta da Lila in Monchique
Long abandoned, Quinta da Lila now stretches across three point three hectares of stone terraces, ancient orchards and a vineyard coming back to life. Three houses, The Yellow House, The Granite House and The Baker’s Cottage, welcome travellers in an intimate and warm atmosphere that gives the feeling of coming home, only with that extra touch of soul that makes the experience truly unique.
The Yellow House in Quinta da Lila. © Zavial Studio
The sun-drenched patio of Casa Primeira.
Casa Primeira in Vila do Bispo
In Vila do Bispo, just minutes from the ocean and in the heart of the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, Casa Primeira invites you to switch off and slow down. Renovated in two thousand twenty four by Anarchlab, this thirty six square metre cottage pairs a traditional white façade with a contemporary interior, creating a retreat that feels both bright and cosy.
On the south side, a stone bench and a bougainvillea catch the sunlight. Inside, terracotta, local furniture and natural materials come together around a skylight positioned above the bed, giving the sensation of sleeping under the stars and echoing the spirit of a traditional Algarve roof.
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