With its golden cliffs, lagoons, authentic villages and wooded peaks, theAlgarve is one of Portugal’s most beautiful regions. Whether you’re looking for nature, the sea, thrills or cultural discoveries, excursions in the region offer a wide variety of adventures. We’ve had some great surprises exploring the surrounding area, and we’d like to share our top activities with you.
Use our practical tips and our many photos to plan your ideal getaway. See our selection of the best excursions in the Algarve, to help you make your choice.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Essential Algarve excursions
Faro, Lagos, Portimão and Albufeira are the main departure points for exploring the Algarve. Most of the excursions proposed here start from one of these towns. We’ve selected for you the experiences that we think best sum up the richness of this region of southern Portugal. Here are our must-haves:
- Sail to the Benagil Cave, one of Portugal’s most photogenic natural gems – see options and book
- Discover the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, a labyrinth of unspoilt lagoons and islands, a true paradise for nature lovers – see options and book
- Observe dolphins in the Atlantic Ocean during an unforgettable sea trip to meet these fascinating animals – see availability
- Explore Ponta da Piedade and its arches, caves and coves, accessible by kayak or boat from Lagos – see options and reserve
- Visit Sagres and Cape St. Vincent, the south-western tip of Europe, between history and Atlantic panoramas – see prices and book
- Hike the Sentier des 7 Vallées Suspendues (7 Suspended Valleys Trail ) and then set sail for the Grotte de Benagil, for a day combining land and sea – see prices and book online
- Take a jeep safari through the mountains and hinterland of the Algarve to immerse yourself in the region’s wilderness – see options and book
More ideas on what to do in the Algarve in our dedicated article here.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE Algarve
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in the Algarve
- Our favorite: Hotel Palmares Signature Apartments
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Best boat trips and dolphin watching
What you will see
The Algarve reveals itself from a very special angle from the sea. Vertiginous ochre cliffs, sea caves with vaults open to the sky, turquoise waters and abundant marine fauna make up a striking picture. We were impressed by the richness of this coastline as seen from the open sea, from the rock formations of Ponta da Piedade to the dolphins we came across along the way. Boat trips also take you to secret coves and beaches accessible only by sea.
Our favorite excursions
- Watch Atlantic dolphins on a guided trip from Faro or Lagos, by catamaran or speedboat – see all available options
- Explore the Benagil Grotto by speedboat, speedboat or kayak from Portimão or Lagos – see all available options
- Sail into the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve from Faro, to discover lagoons, islands and birds in a unique ecosystem – see options and make a reservation
- Meet the dolphins of the Ria Formosa on a boat trip in the calm waters of the natural park – see activity details
- Treat yourself to a sunset sailboat excursion in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, to end the day facing the horizon – see availability and make a reservation
- Explore the arches and caves of Ponta da Piedade by small motorboat or catamaran from the Lagos marina – see prices and book online
To find out more, see our article on dolphin-watching excursions in Lagos.
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN THE Algarve
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Don’t take a car that’s too wide, as old towns have narrow streets and small parking spaces.
- For more choice, book early.
Best sports and thrills
What you can do
With its rugged coastline, cliffs, coastal paths and wild hinterland, the Algarve is an ideal playground for sports and adrenaline enthusiasts. Kayaking at the foot of cliffs, hiking spectacular trails, jeep safaris in the mountains or surfing the beaches of the Atlantic coast: there’s no shortage of options. We recommend these activities to anyone wishing to discover the region in a different way, combining physical effort with exceptional scenery.
Our favorite activities
- Kayak to Ponta da Piedade to paddle close to rock formations and enter secret caves otherwise inaccessible – see prices and book now
- Surf, paddle or kayak on the Algarve’s iconic spots, supervised by professionals, whatever your level – see all available activities
- Hike the Sentier des 7 Vallées Suspendues (7 Hanging Valleys Trail) from Praia da Marinha to Praia do Vale de Centeanes, along the ochre cliffs of the Algarve, then embark for Grotte de Benagil – see prices and book now
- Hike the Costa Vicentina from Praia do Amado, along one of the most unspoilt coastlines in southern Portugal – book a private guided hike
- Take a half-day jeep safari to explore the natural landscapes of the Algarvian hinterland and enjoy an off-the-beaten-track experience – see prices and book online
A LITTLE MORE patience
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Best nature and landscape excursions
What you will see
Beyond the coastline, the Algarve boasts a wide variety of landscapes: fishing villages nestling on the water’s edge, wooded peaks offering 360° panoramas, nature reserves and sandy beaches lined with dunes. We were surprised by the beauty of the hinterland, often overlooked by travelers who concentrate on the coast. From Monchique to Alvor, via the wild mountains, each excursion reveals a different face of the region.
Our favorite excursions
- Half-day excursion to Monchique and Monte Foia for an immersion in the green mountains of the Algarve – see availability
- Explore the coast and mountains by jeep, stopping off at Ferragudo, Silves, Odelouca and Alvor to discover the authentic hinterland – see prices and book now
- Safari in the Algarve mountains from Albufeira, to discover the wild inland landscapes far from the beaches – see prices and book online
- Visit Sagres and Cape St. Vincent, the southwestern tip of Europe, for its sheer cliffs and endless panoramas of the Atlantic Ocean – half-day tour or full-day tour with west coast beaches
- Stroll through the village of Alvor and enjoy the Praia de Alvor, one of the longest beaches in the region, bordered by dunes accessible via wooden footbridges, 15min from Portimão.
FUN in the Algarve: activities
Caves and Cliffs by Boat
Kayak Tours
Dolphin watching
Jeep Tour
Best cultural and heritage excursions
What you will see
The Algarve is not just a seaside destination. The region boasts a remarkable historical and architectural heritage, from the megalithic remains of the 3rd millennium BC to the Moorish influences visible in the architecture of the towns. We enjoyed discovering this often overlooked facet of the region, between guided tours, excursions in the eastern Algarve and escapades to neighboring towns steeped in history.
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Our favorite excursions
- Discover the western Algarve on a guided tour departing from Albufeira, stopping off at the region’s most emblematic heritage sites – see program and book now.
- Explore the eastern Algarve on a full-day tour, discovering the villages, landscapes and heritage of a part of the region often neglected in favor of the west – see program and book now.
- Take a guided bike tour of Faro to learn more about the history of the Algarve’s capital, with its old town, cathedral and bishop’s palace – see prices and book now.
- Visit the Alcalar megalithic site, with its prehistoric funerary temples dating back to the 3rd millennium BC – find out more about the Alcalar site
- Discover the vineyards of the Algarve on an oenological day that includes visits to wineries, tastings and lunch in a mountain restaurant – see prices and book now.
- A day of culture and shopping in Lisbon from the Algarve, an ideal getaway for combining shopping and discovering the Portuguese capital – see program and book
- Take a day trip to Sevilla from the Algarve, to discover one of Andalucia’s most beautiful cities just a few hours away – see program and booking
It’s time to book!
Compare everything: companies, prices, schedules and availability.
Our city guides for further information
Would you like to explore a particular city in greater depth and find the best excursions from your base? We have written detailed guides for each of the Algarve’s main towns. In addition, our article dedicated to dolphin excursions in Lagos will give you all the advice you need to choose the dolphin trip that’s right for you.
- Dolphin watching in Lagos: our tips and best excursions
- Best excursions from Lagos
- Best excursions from Portimão
- Best excursions from Faro
- Best excursions from Albufeira (coming soon)
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE algarve
- Best of
What to do in the Algarve
The most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful towns and villages
Algarve’s most beautiful beaches
Best excursions
- Practical advice
When to go?
How to rent a car in the Algarve
How many days?
Itineraries
Where to stay in the Algarve
Lagos, Portimao or Albufeira
Most beautiful hotels
SHE MADE THE TRIP Claire
