Algarve is the perfect destination for those who want to visit Portugal. The towering cliffs, golden beaches, sea caves, scalloped bays, and sandy islands attract more than four million visitors to the Algarve every year. Surrounded on two sides by the Atlantic, this is a paradise for surfers, especially along the fresh and undeveloped west coast.
In the south, tourist hotspots that host large-scale conglomerations of holiday villas and impudent resorts have action-packed activities – from water parks to water sports – and lively nightlife from beach bars to sizzling nightclubs. Natural treasures here include lagoons and islands filled with birds from the protected Parque Natural da Ria Formosa, stretching 60km west of the capital, Faro, to the charming fishing village of Cacela Velha.
Far in the hilly hills are historic fortress cities and white-painted villages, rolling villages covered in carob, cork, almond trees and orange groves, rustic farmhouse restaurants, and beautiful Via Algarviana hiking trails across the region. Here are the best places to visit in Algarve:
Ponta da Piedade, Lagos
The cliffs on the Ponta da Piedade cape are one of the best natural features of the Algarve. This dramatic limestone coastline is formed from sea pillars, fragile stone arches, and hidden caves, all of which have been carved by cruel winter storms.
Ponta da Piedade is a dreary and windy promontory, and the beauty of this region is only found when descending a cliff, where open cliffs show golden color, and turquoise sea waters balance in a balanced rock formation. Headland can only be described as amazing.
Cape St. Vincent, Sagres
Cape St. Vincent near Sagres is the most southwestern tip of the European continent. Cape of St. Vincent combines nature, myth, and culture. It feels great to walk around here, because you will feel the magnitude of nature. The mantle is closely related to the sea, from ancient navigators to legends and myths related to the mantle. From St. Vincent to Henry the Navigator. Cape St. Vincent and the surrounding area is one of the rare places where its geographical location, wild but majestic nature, and historical factors combine with the mythical dimension.
Praia da Bordeira – Carrapateira, Aljezur
Although it close to Carrapateira, it‘s called Praia da Bordeira, due to the stream that flows to the southern part of the long sandy beach. A little frequented, this is a quiet beach that invites you to a quiet vacation. Over the years, the lagoon has formed between the beach and the asphalt road where kids can play freely.
Getting There: Taking the direction to Sagres, after about 9km you will find the village of Bordeira on your left, continuing for another 5 km until the entrance of the village of Carrapateira. Then return to the first intersection on the right and follow this tar road to Praia da Bordeira. If you are still on your way after the asphalt road ends and turn right at the first T-junction, you will reach the southern peak of the beach.
Serra de Monchique, Monchique
Climbing to Monchique to discover the best of this place, at almost every turn you can see the panoramic views of the sea and mountains but to appreciate all the beauty of the horizon, you must go to Foia, which with its 902 meters is the highest point of the Algarve. There, the landscape stretches, on one side, to the Cape of São Vicente (and further north to Mount Arrábida, near Lisbon), and on the other side to Faro and the half-circle of the vast mountains. The steepest cliffs in 774 meters Picota also offer great, and perhaps more beautiful, views of the Algarve and the sea. After the point of view, it‘s important to know many charms of the relief landscape that are suddenly cut by valleys and ravines, streams and fountains, which runs every day of the year with cold water singing while jumping from stone to stone.
Benagil Cave, Carvoeiro
Praia de Benagil is a beautiful beach near Lagoa. This beach is the most famous for its sensational cave called Algar de Benagil. This cave has a round hole in the ceiling that frames the beautiful blue sky in it. Benagil and its cave can be found in many lists of “places you must see in your life”. Without any doubt, this natural wonder is one of the best things to see in the Algarve.
Benagil Cave is one of the biggest natural attractions in southern Portugal, the Algarve region. This region is known as the land of summer paradise. Full of stunning beaches, high-quality golf courses, and the best restaurants, this is Europe’s best vacation destination.
Quoted several times in international newspapers as the Huffington Post, which considers this attraction as one of the 5 most beautiful places in the world, Benagil Cave is very popular.
Zoo de Lagos, Lagos
Education, conservation, and protection are the watchwords of the Lagos Zoo, where there are over 120 species of animals and 200 species of plants from five continents, in spaces where people can communicate with nature.
You can rent a bike in Algarve and ride to Zoo de Lagos, Lagos. Visitors can enjoy the 60-meter Flight Tunnel, which allows them to observe amazing bird colors in full flight, beautiful scenery on Monkey Island, and a small farm where children have the opportunity to make close contact with household animals, including zebus dwarf.
One of the zoo’s major concerns is to emphasize aspects of spatial education, presenting diverse pedagogical structures.
Costa Vicentina, Alentejo
The southwestern bottom of Alentejo and the Vicenza Coastal Natural Park are a beautiful series of protected habits, from beach cliffs to grassy green lands. This area is a treasure trove of charming villages and remote beaches where local residents go. It starts at Alentejo and ends at Cape St. Vincent, this is an excellent place to go hiking, find beach retreats, and observe birds in Portugal.
The Old Town of Faro, Faro
Explore the cobbled streets of the Old City of Faro and discover centuries of architectural views, Roman alleys, cozy cafes and a museum with archaeological finds. This site has the oldest horseshoe arch in Portugal and a 16th century monastery. Note the many houses that are decorated with flowers and the winding streets and alleys; take a walk down the shopping street downtown. You can eat in one of the typical Algarvian restaurants, or just drink coffee along the riverbank.
Those are the best things to do during your trip to the Algarve, Portugal according to our bike rental in Portugal.
However, rent a bike in Algarve will help you to make it easier to explore more about this beautiful region.
Rent a bike in Algarve can be a setting for extraordinary biking adventures and rent a bike in Algarve is also the best way to see unusually seen sights of this stunning town, a deep way to get to know people, food, culture and history of Algarve, Portugal.
You can choose the bike that suits you best and which one is available for rent. If you’re not sure which bike is good for you, let us know, we will be happy to help you choose the one that suits you perfectly!
What are you waiting for? Make sure to rent a bike in Algarve with us and try our special Algarve road tour too, away from busy roads, with stunning sceneries, perfect surfaces and challenging climbs.