Algarve Guide

If you know me a bit you will know, that I love Portugal. I should write that I am totally obsessed with this delicious and stunning country, but I won’t, as I like to think that people find me as a pretty normal person. Just read in between the lines and you will know that Portugal is THE country and there is nowhere else that should take a priority above it. 

We went on a road trip along Portugal two years ago and it blew my mind away, this was the time when I wrote a guide with tips and places. What did not make the best impression was Algarve, as in July it was super crowded and it was not easy to get anywhere with all the “no campers allowed” signs. I did not like it much and I shared my experience with a friend who thinks of Algarve as I do of Portugal. I listen to smart people, so we’ve decided to go back in April, to see what all the fuss is about. We went along the Algarve, tried to see each beach, visited many tiny cute towns and in the end, I have to write, that this is a mind blowing area and it is a must experience as well. I’d not go there with my camper in July-August period as it is so busy, that campers are not really welcome. But off the season it is a dream come true.

Z Olhao – Our first stop in Algarve. There is a beautiful port, cute little white houses and one delicious restaurant. For sure there is more, but this one was a perfect introduction to the region. It’s called Tasca O Galo and it turned out to be the busiest small place in town. There is a parking for vans if you’d like to stay for a night, but we drove back to Faro after our meal. 

Z Praia de Faro – our first night and first morning. One of the most beautiful mornings as well. There are two water area – the ocean and the bay. You get there through a one way bridge and it has a nice parking for vans. 

Quarteira – there is this beach with pine trees, where you can stop your van and never leave. It almost happened with us. 

Beach Rocha Baixinha Nascente – this is a beautiful beach with a unique rock formations. You can walk and walk and it looks like it never ends. You can stop over for a night over there and enjoy a beautiful sunrise. 

Praia  de Arrifes – this is a cool experience. Imagine a small beach with some really nice huge rocks sticking out of the water. There is a small restaurant, where you can have a nice glass of wine with your dinner and enjoy the sunset. Most probably you will have to stay in a camper for a night to do it, but this is the other advantage 😀 

Praia da Vigia – Next-door to praia de Arrifes. You can go on a kayak cruise through all the caves and tiny beaches which you cannot reach from the shore. It is great for adults and pretty exciting for kids as well. 

Praia da Marinha – It reminds me of the 12 apostles in Australia. It is such.a special beach and viewpoint. You want to walk around with a sunrise, otherwise there will be many many people. 

Carvoeiro – this is one beautiful town. We had the best ice creams, went for a walk, enjoyed the view and chilled like crazy.

Alvor – we had a great lunch, beautiful small town, it was a pleasure to walk around, not so much to accidentally get with my van to one of them.

Beach Tres Irmaos – one of my favourite mornings. This is a very long beach, but you need to go through the caves to get to another part. A beautiful experience. 

Lagos is one of the most popular destinations and it is very very busy. It is not my favourite because of that, but it surely has many beautiful beaches. Check out the Student Beach with its caves and an arch.

Also Praia do Pinhao and …

Praia do Camilo are beautiful. 

My personal favourite is Ponta da Piedade.   

Praia da Salema – it is a tiny beach in a tiny village which is simply beautiful. We walked around, had lunch and did not want to leave. 

Praia do Ingrina – the is a magical beach. There is one cafe, where you can sit and observe the ocean in the evening. There are also many surfers catching waves. There is also a lovely walk through the coastline. We keep coming back to this spot, as it’s one of our favourites. There used to be our secret camping spot, but it is not so secret anymore two years later. At night, there’s totally dark and you can see all the stars in the sky.

Praia da Cordoama – big, wild, spectacular. This is one of these beaches that will make you dream about living by the ocean. 

Praia do Canal – it is not easy to get there, but it is so beautiful and special that you have to. It is very close to the Praia da Arrifana and I guess it is way more special. And definitely less crowded. 

Praia de Monte Clerigo – we discovered it on our second Algarve road trip and we keep going back. It is a beautiful town, beach and they have many yummy spots over here. You can get a perfect açai bowl for breakfast 😀

Praia da Carreagem – not so well known and so unbelievably beautiful. 

Praia do Vale dos Homens – we were seriously considering staying here for way too long. There were only two people on this beach and an older couple sitting on a beach and looking at it. I was sitting next to them.

Bordeira Beach – This beach is incredible. Just look at the pictures. You can come here to make a looooong walk with a specially prepared path. So worth it at sunrise with a cup of coffee. I was there all by myself and it was a paradise. 

Praia da Amoreira is another hidden gem.

Monchique is inland, but it’s worth an effort. You will see a stunning space of Portugal, it’s breathtaking hills. I love it so much that I literally started to look for a place to live. It did not work out, but the girl may always dream.