Things to do in the Algarve
With its stunning coastline, dramatic rock formations, azure waters and mild temperatures, the Algarve is one of Portugal’s most popular holiday destinations. When it comes to things to do in the Algarve, you really are spoiled for choice. Buzzing coastal resorts offer amazing shopping, eateries, bars, golf courses and beaches for water sports. Further inland, historical villages and hiking trails offer up stunning views and cultural hotspots just waiting to be explored. On the eastern Algarve, lagoons and islands form a stunning natural park where wild birds and flamingos gather. Whatever you like to do during your Portuguese villa holiday, you’ll find it here.
Play golf in the Algarve
The Algarve is one of the most popular resorts for golfing holidays, the south of Portugal offers up to 300 days of sunshine per year and an outstanding selection of courses, including those that hold regular championships. Golf in the Algarve is a must for sporting enthusiasts and is a great way to unwind away from the buzzing resorts. Popular golfing courses include Penina Golf Resort in the western Algarve, as well as Quinta do Lago and Amendoeira, which are more centrally based and offer well-maintained greens and epic views over the region’s rolling hills.
Wander around Faro Old Town
As the capital and largest city in the Algarve, there is plenty to see in do in Faro for sightseers. Take a stroll around the Old Town, where you’ll find Faro’s Cidade Velha, which sits on Roman and Moorish foundations that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Explore a maze of cobbled streets with historical landmarks at every turn, as well as workshops, craft shops, museums, exhibitions, cafes and restaurants. The esplanade by the marina and Old Town is also worth a visit before retiring to your countryside Villa Ines.
Spend the day at Lagos
When you’d like to head a little further afield from the tranquil gardens of your Villa Arez, hop in the car and take a day trip to Lagos, which is one of the western Algarve’s liveliest resort towns. History buffs will love exploring the medieval castle walls and sea defences, as well as the stunning churches which date back to the 15th century. It is however the stunning coastline that makes Lagos so special, with caves to explore via boating trips, azure waters for snorkelling and cliff-side walks that offer epic vistas of the shoreline. Take the whole family on a dolphin safari, or spend a few hours exploring local grottoes with a guided tour. Food and shopping here is also very reasonably priced, meaning you can stay for dinner and pick up some local fish and chicken dishes in one of the area’s many restaurants.
Explore Albufeira
Known as the beating heart of the Algarve, Albufeira is where the region gets its pulse. Albufeira has a rich history, with quaint whitewashed cottages, ancient chapels, decadent churches and a Roman castle dotted around, but the main pull is the famous Strip and its many clubs, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants. Keep the whole family entertained with a day soaking up the sun on the beach, before retiring to a local taverna for some Piri-Piri Portuguese chicken or the local catch of the day with an olive salad. Or why not take a sunset boat trip from the marina? Go karting, bowling, live music, karaoke, tuk-tuk tours and traditional Fado music are just some of the other entertainment highlights on offer.
Hike Serra de Monchique
If you prefer to get back to nature without visiting the beach, take an organised hiking tour across the Serra de Monchique – a dramatic mountain range featuring chestnut trees, wildflowers and plenty of other wildlife. Your guide will take you and your family around the meandering trails across shady woodlands, ancient villages and tranquil waterways. On a clear sunny day, take in spectacular views of Sagres, Lagos and the Atlantic Ocean.
Now you know some of the best things to do in the Algarve, all you need is a premium villa to stay in with your very own private pool! Browse our collection of holiday properties on Portugal’s southern coast.