Unmissable Things to See in the Algarve of Portugal for a Perfect Trip

SUMMARY

This guide highlights the best things to do and see in the Algarve of Portugal, from hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail to exploring sea arches, discovering local food spots, and driving cliffside roads in Vicentina National Park. It's written with practical tips, first-hand details, and a laid-back traveler's perspective to help you maximize your time in this beautiful region!

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

2. Praia da Marinha

3. Praia da Coelha

4. Benagil Cave Tour with Taruga Benagil Tours

5. Algar Seco & Carvoeiro Boardwalk

6. Lagos Highlights

   • Praia de Camilo

   • Ponta da Piedade

   • Croissanteria

   • Nah Nah Bah

7. Vicentina National Park

8. Final Thoughts

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The Perfect List of the Top 7 Things to See in the Algarve

If you're heading to southern Portugal, the Algarve is one of those regions that will make you wonder why you didn't come sooner. With its dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, quiet fishing villages, and incredible coastal hikes, the area has a way of sticking with you long after you've left—or, in my case, keeping me coming back! This post covers my top recommendations based on three different trips—think scenic trails, beach hangs, sea cave adventures, and a few food stops that deserve a detour.

SEVEN HANGING VALLEYS TRAIL

If you only do one hike in the Algarve, make it this one. The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail follows the cliffs between Praia da Marinha and Praia do Vale de Centeanes, and the views are some of the best in the region. Expect dramatic coastline, sea stacks, natural arches, and turquoise water below. Wear decent shoes (there are some rocky sections) and bring plenty of water, especially if you're going in warmer months. You can start at either end, but we parked near Praia da Marinha and did a section out-and-back, which made it easy to time around beach stops.

PRAIA DA MARINHA

Even if you're not a beach person, Praia da Marinha might win you over. It's one of the most iconic beaches in Portugal, known for its towering limestone cliffs and bright blue water. You can walk down a set of stairs carved into the cliff to get to the sand or just admire the view from above. The beach is small but scenic, and it's great for swimming if the tide isn't too high.

PRAIA DA COELHA

This small, secluded beach was a short drive from our hotel and turned out to be the perfect place to spend a relaxed afternoon. We brought a bottle of Casal Garcia to share, but there's also a beach bar and restaurant where you can grab food and drinks. You can either enjoy them up at the bar or take everything down to the sand. It's not a huge beach, but it felt chill and uncrowded, especially compared to some of the more well-known spots in the area.

BENAGIL CAVE TOUR WITH TARUGA BENAGIL TOURS

We went with Taruga Benagil Tours for a quick 30-minute ride that took us into the famous Benagil Cave and a handful of other sea caves along the coast. The boat was small enough to get inside the cave, which you can't access on foot or see well from above. Our time in the Algarve was limited this trip, so this boat tour was the perfect compromise—it was just long enough to see the highlights, get some great photos, and still leave time for a lazy beach afternoon. They have longer tour options if you want to spend more time on the water, and there are also several kayak and paddleboarding tours in the area. I highly recommend booking ahead, especially during summer.

ALGAR SECO & CARVOEIRO BOARDWALK

This cliffside area near the town of Carvoeiro is a great spot for a short walk with panoramic views. The boardwalk runs along the coast and connects to the Algar Seco rock formations—a maze of sea-carved cliffs and tide pools. You can climb into the grottoes and watch the waves crash into the stone. We loved to climb around the rocks and explore the cave formations up close. At one point, we paused to watch a few local fishermen casting lines against the contrast of the jagged cliffs and turquoise water below. There's even a little cave bar if you want to stop for a drink with a view.

LAGOS HIGHLIGHTS

Praia de Camilo 

This is a small beach tucked between cliffs and accessed by a long wooden staircase. The water is super clear and great for a dip, but space on the sand fills up quickly—go early if you want a spot. There's also a little trail above the beach with photo-worthy views.

Ponta da Piedade 

I loved this spot. You can wander along the top of the cliffs and stop at different viewpoints overlooking arches, caves, and rock towers rising from the ocean. Some people opt for a boat tour to see it from below, but the walk along the cliffs is peaceful and free.

Croissanteria 

This tiny sandwich shop has stuck with me since I visited Lagos many years ago, and I was so glad it was still around. Their croissant sandwiches are next-level. I went with a turkey and cheese croissant with lettuce, tomato, and mayo, and it definitely hit the spot. The croissants here are a little different—more of a brioche-style dough than the traditional flaky kind, which gives them a slightly sweet, soft texture that works perfectly with the savory fillings. Somehow, after all these years, it still felt like a total hidden gem.

Nah Nah Bah 

This place is more well-known, and for good reason. They make one of the best burgers in Portugal. Sadly, they were closed when we passed through this time, otherwise I probably would've had two lunches. If they're open when you're there, definitely go.

VICENTINA NATIONAL PARK

For something wilder and more remote, we drove through Vicentina National Park and navigated to Pontal da Carrapateira. From there, we went to the beach and took in the cliffside views overlooking the Atlantic. We stayed a while, watching multiple groups from the surf camp nearby try to catch their first waves—it was surprisingly entertaining, and we were cheering them on from afar. Above us, two paragliders swung and flipped through the sky in what felt like a slow-motion dance against the backdrop of the cliffs. There's also a laid-back beach bar right off the sand, perfect for grabbing lunch or a drink while overlooking the sea. The drive is worth doing—open, quiet roads with scenic pull-offs that feel far from everything.

Final Thoughts

Our time in the Algarve reminded me how good it feels to slow down and keep things simple. We bounced between cliffside hikes, tiny beaches, and mellow little food spots, and every stop felt like its own kind of reset. There's something really special about sharing a bottle of wine on the sand or watching the sunset from a rocky lookout with no agenda. If you're heading that way, I hope this post helps you plan a few things, and also leaves room to just go with whatever looks interesting in the moment. That's usually where the best parts of the trip come from!