Algarve & South
THE SOUTH OF PORTUGAL
TRIPS TO PORTUGAL:
Travel to Algarve and South
Portugal´s most Southern region is famous for its pronounced limestone cliffs, for the fresh seafood, and also for the white-washed fishing villages around here. Considering that it has more than 100 beaches, Algarve is a top-level beach holiday destination especially in the summer. Besides, in spring and fall, this area is the ideal place for coastal walking.
How Far Is Portugal from Spain?
According to Distance Between 2, the straight-line distance between Spain and Portugal is 399 Km. The miles-based distance is 247.9 miles. This is a linear distance, which means that the actual travel distance between Spain and Portugal may be higher or may vary due to bends of the road.
How Far Is Algarve from Lisbon?
173 miles (280 km) separate Lisbon and Algarve, so the Lisbon to Algarve trip can take you between 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours depending on the mean of transport. You should know that there are 4 ways to get from Lisbon to Algarve, but the train is usually the best option for most travelers.
If you choose to travel by car or by bus, this will take you across the 7.6 miles (12 km) Vasco de Gama Bridge, meaning you will cross over the Tagus River. Moreover, self-drivers or those who are using a car service can choose a leisurely route that can be closer to the Atlantic coastline.
VISIT ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
With its splendid beaches and with its hot, sunny weather, the Algarve is Portugal’s most popular holiday landing place. Starting with bustling seaside resorts filled with activity and getting to the quiet stretches of sand that are perfect for relaxation, the most Southern region of Portugal is the perfect place for anyone who is planning a beach vacation. Besides, the Algarve’s inland villages are some captivating places to visit as well.
The entire stretch of Portugal’s southern part from Sagres to Tavira is covered with a combination of beautiful beaches, coastal bluffs, and with towering chalk cliffs that are begging to be explored.
Algarve is well-known for its cliff-backed beaches, for the mouthwatering seafood and for its picturesque villages
The Weather in Algarve
We already mentioned that Algarve is a popular tourist destination. Here you can take advantage of the Mediterranean climate which brings long, hot and dry summers and also very mild winters. Actually, the Algarve receives more sun every year than California.
The summers here are warm, arid, and mostly clear, while the winters are cool, windy, and partly cloudy.
Because of its shore side location, many travelers coming to Algarve expect this region to be a wind trap, but surprisingly the landscape here is quite sheltered, with mild weather all year round.
THINGS TO DO IN ALGARVE, PORTUGAL
A soft climate which is tempered by the Atlantic, the soft sandy beaches, the mouth-watering cuisine, the exhilarating coastal scenery… It’s no wonder that Portugal’s Algarve has become one of Europe’s main holiday destinations.
Discover our bucket list of things to do in the Algarve:
Stop By Faro When in Portugal
Surrounded by abundant fields of trees bearing fruit, by olives and by the almonds for which Algarve is so famous, Faro is a large town in this region of Portugal. Under the Moorish rule, the port of Faro had a great importance and nowadays is the airport which serves as an entry point for millions of travelers who come every year to the south of Portugal.
Placed in the heart of the Formosa Estuary, Faro is the main getaway to the Algarve zone. It is also a historic and culturally rich city which is surrounded by unspoiled island beaches and by the impressive Ria Formosa nature reserve.
How Is the Weather in Faro
In Faro, which is placed in the most Southern region of Portugal, the climate is Mediterranean, with some mild, relatively rainy winters and with warm, sunny summers. So, the region has a mild, sunny microclimate.
The sunshine in Faro and Algarve is excellent in late spring and in summer, from May until August, and it is acceptable in autumn and winter, when some cloudy and rainy days are possible. However, with about 3,000 hours of sunshine year-round, this is one of the sunniest territories in Europe.
Faro is the capital of the Algarve region
TOP THINGS TO DO IN FARO PORTUGAL
Wandering around the Old Town of Faro or visiting an old Portuguese palace or maybe a fantastic Bone Chapel, these are all ways to learn about Faro’s history. Besides, you can enjoy the buzzing nightlife, and relax on deserted islands.
Here is a list of the 15 best Faro attractions:
- 1Walk around the Old Town
- 2Admire the stunning Arco da Vila
- 3
Renew your faith at Sé Cathedral of Faro
- 4Learn about Faro´s history at the Museu Municipal
- 5
Visit Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo and marvel at its Bone Chapel
- 6Rest & Relax on one of the islands
- 7Enjoy Faro’s nightlife
- 8
Have a drink with a view at Castelo Bar
- 9Go to the beach
- 10Take a Ria Formosa Tour
- 11Eat some Algarvian food
- 12
Discover the beautiful nearby cities
- 13
Visit the Centro Ciência Viva do Algarve
- 14Visit the Palácio de Estói
- 15Go shopping
Albufeira: The Gateway to Algarve
Albufeira is one of the favorites chosen destination for many Algarve tourists. Its central location in the southern Portugal makes it a very accessible resort, so it´s a favorite spot for travelers from all across Europe and beyond.
Albufeira is one of the last Moorish towns from Southern Portugal that fall into the hands of Christians in the 13th century. Then in the 1960s it was rediscovered as a fine place to spend a beach vacation. Now, this region has two important tourist attractions: its charming Old Town quarter and also the Avenida Francisco Sá Carneiro area (known as “The Strip”).
These 2 districts have a great number of bars, restaurants and clubs, and this fact makes Albufeira a great destination for party-goers. Besides, the town beach, or Praia dos Pescadores, counts with fishermen that bring in their catch and that can be a departure point if you are looking for scuba diving trips.
Sagres, Portugal
Sagres has an incredible bound with the Portuguese history, it has some brilliant beaches, cliffs, and gorgeous ocean views… All these things make it a must-see location if you get to Algarve.
Sagres is a quiet and relaxed surf spot where you can relax and regenerate energy, eat some local food, and also get to the best surf beaches in the Algarve. And the best part is that even during winter, you can enjoy surfing in Sagres.
An important thing about this city is that it is incredibly spread out. Actually, it has no old town to explore, and many of the top sights here are spread far and wide.
Sagres is definitely a must-see while exploring the Algarve coastline, especially if you’re looking for a place to enjoy dramatic landscapes and take part in adventure activities.
Praia da Rocha in Algarve
Due to its impressive size and undeniable beauty, Praia da Rocha has become one of the most popular beaches in the Algarve region. The wide string of white sand is backed by some dramatic rocky cliffs that have high-rise hotels on the top, apart from bars and restaurants.
Praia da Rocha has several wooden boardwalks that stretches along this beach. Besides, going by a staircase which was carved into the cliffside, you´ll get to the 17th-century Fortaleza de Santa Catarina at the eastern end of the beach. This spot offers amazing views of the beach, of the marina and of the Atlantic Ocean.
Faro, Sagres and Albufeira, along with the Praia da Rocha are some of the best tourist attractions in Southern Portugal. By visiting this area, you will discover its beauty and see some pronounced landscapes. Whether you want to relax or to join the adventure, Algarve has it all.
OUR EXPERIENCES FOR A TRIP TO ALGARVE AND SOUTH REGION
The Southern region of Portugal has some of the most incredible resort towns in the country, with some staggering nature scenes made up of rugged cliffs, few giant sea caves, hidden beaches, and a unique wildlife.
Near Portugal´s coast, in the eastern Algarve, Tavira is one of the most beautiful cities in the region. Placed on both sides of the River Gilão, this town has historical legacy, a past that is shaped by the Romans and later on by the Moors, and all this is still visible today.
Next to France, Italy and Spain, the ranking would not be complete without Portugal when talking about wine producing countries. With more than 200 grape varieties, anywhere you go in Portugal you will be close to a winery and to wine-producers from that region.
The coastal region of Algarve from Portugal is known for its dramatic cliffs and for the golden sand beaches, as for the luxury golf resorts and the sensational sunshine. Here the beautiful fishing villages have narrow cobblestoned streets and whitewashed houses. But beside all these beauties, the Algarve is also a charm destination for food and wine lovers.
A visit to the Algarve is not complete if you don´t make a trip to one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal: the unique Ria Formosa Natural Park.
The Ria Formosa is a beautiful stretch of the Algarve coastline. If you want to really appreciate it’s magnificence, it’s best to explore it by boat and with a local guide.
The Algarve coast in the South of Portugal is famous world-wide for the beautiful limestone cliffs that are dropping into the turquoise ocean. They create a stunning scenery with unique rock formations and some impressive sea caves. This stretch has plenty of must visit sites, but Benagil sea cave should be on top of your list.
In the Atlantic Ocean, there is a treasure of Portugal that is waiting for you: Madeira. Here you’ll find breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and endless adventures. Known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic", Madeira offers a blend of lush forests, rugged mountains, and serene beaches, making it a dream destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
