If you’ve heard of the Portuguese Algarve region, it’s probably for one reason: the beaches. The area receives seemingly endless sunshine, with warmer and calmer seas compared to other places in the country.
Because of this, the area has been popular with visitors from Great Britain and Northern Europe for many years, and coastal spots get very crowded during the peak summer season of July and August.
Fortunately, there is a lot to do that does not require setting out a patch of sand at 5 in the morning. These are five of the best Algarve activities away from the beaches.
Go bird watching in the Ria Formosa natural park
Designated as a natural park, the Ria Formosa lagoon is made up of a series of sandy barrier islands between the coast and the open ocean. Near Faro, these 45,000 acres of swamps and canals are a vital nesting ground for many migratory birds, with hundreds of different species visiting each year. It is not uncommon to see flamingos, cranes, egrets and many more.
The companies offer various excursions to Ria Formosa, and you can participate in kayaking, catamaran excursions to some of the barrier islands, and guided bike tours that bring you closer to the bird action. If you prefer to explore on your own, there is a long walking path that allows you to do just that.
In addition to the main city of Faro, other nearby places worth visiting include the colorful fishing village of Fuseta and Olhão, with its Arabic-influenced architecture and high-quality seafood.
Head east
Away from the coastal resorts in the west, life goes on in the Algarve as much as it did before tourists started showing up. Head east from Faro, towards the Spanish border, and you’ll find a very different side to the region.
Tavira, on the Gilão River, is often described as the ‘most beautiful city in the Algarve’. Instead of generic resorts and even more generic Irish pubs, you’ll find churches, whitewashed buildings with terra-cotta roofs, cobbled streets, and little fishing boats gently bobbing on the dock.
There are plenty of quality restaurants next door and near the river, and a ruined hilltop castle that you can walk to to cut calories afterward.
If your interests are more focused on shopping, keep going even further east until you reach Vila Real de Santo António. Sitting just across the river from Spain, it is an attractive city, known for its bedding and kitchen equipment.
Ferries cross the invisible border several times a day, a boon for Spaniards who flock on the weekend to take advantage of the cheaper prices.
Go for a walk
Since it is predominantly a beach destination, you wouldn’t necessarily expect the Algarve to have a lot in the way of good hiking trails. However, there are actually a lot of good hikes in the region, for those of all fitness levels.
A designated GR trail, Via Algarviana, crosses the Algarve from Cape San Vicente in the extreme southwest of the country to Alcoutim, on the border with Spain. Hike heavily through the mountainous interior, the total route covers around 180 miles, but the shorter sections can easily be tackled as day hikes.
An even longer trail, the Rota Vicentina, begins at the same lighthouse at Cabo de San Vicente, but heads north along the Atlantic coast to Santiago do Cacém, which is 280 miles away. For a little taste, check out the four-mile loop of Telheiro Beach, which hugs the coastline along the cliffside trails between the lighthouse and Telheiro Beach.
Load in history
The recorded history of the Algarve dates back thousands of years, and traces of human habitation have been found dating back to the Neolithic. More recent Moorish art and architecture dominate several cities in the region, after an 8th-century invasion that saw them maintain a presence in Portugal for more than five hundred years.
The Romans had a great impact on the region, and the easiest way to prove what they left behind is at the municipal museum in Faro. There, you will find some high-quality mosaics, busts of various emperors, plus many other artifacts from everyday life.
Other notable examples of Roman architecture include a bridge in Lagos and ruined villas in Vilamoura and Estoi. The latter is particularly interesting, as it was an opulent residence that included a temple, a wine press, mausoleums, and more.
If you’re more interested in Arab history, put a trip to Silves at the top of your to-do list. The impressive Castle of Silves, built in the 11th century, dominates the city from a strategic position on top of a hill. The entrance is a bargain with a well maintained garden and walkable walls on all four sides.
Head to the hills
Drive into the interior of the region and you will find yourself quickly gaining elevation. Two mountain ranges give this part of the Algarve a very different feel: all small towns and rolling forest trails, rather than sandy beaches and tall apartment buildings.
The largest city in the area, Monchique, is a great base. High in the hills, along (as is usual in this part of the world) a very winding road, it is full of steep and narrow streets to explore, and it is known for its chouriço sausages. As with much of the rest of Portugal, carnivores are in luck.
From there, it’s all about the mountain walks. Via Algarviana mentioned the previous passes through Monchique, and is five miles from there to Foia, which is the highest point in the Algarve. Those who enjoy a challenge and the sound of their own labored breathing can make the round trip, while those who prefer an easier ride can take a taxi to the top and enjoy the downhill hike back to the town.
Either way, on a clear day, you can see all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, a sight that even the plentiful radio masts at the summit cannot diminish.
