u/ana_travels_portugal

Carvoeiro is one of my favourite places to stay in the Algarve. A laid back town that's now mostly known as a small holiday resort. Yes it is touristy, yet it is not nearly as dramatic as other nearby resorts.

It also offers supreme access to some of the most scenic parts of the Algarve coastline. The famed Algar Seco area is within walking distance, and it also serves as a great base for hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.

For those not wanting an overnight stay in Carvoeiro, it's still well worth a visit, offering a great place for a seafood lunch, or a fantastic beach to rest on after taking in the cliffs and rocks of the coastline! 💙

https://wetravelportugal.com/carvoeiro-portugal/

Carvoeiro is one of my favourite places to stay in the Algarve. A laid back town that's now mostly known as a small holiday resort. Yes it is touristy, yet it is not nearly as dramatic as other nearby resorts.

It also offers supreme access to some of the most scenic parts of the Algarve coastline. The famed Algar Seco area is within walking distance, and it also serves as a great base for hiking the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.

For those not wanting an overnight stay in Carvoeiro, it's still well worth a visit, offering a great place for a seafood lunch, or a fantastic beach to rest on after taking in the cliffs and rocks of the coastline!

https://wetravelportugal.com/carvoeiro-portugal/

Ferragudo is a small but beautiful village on the Arade estuary opposite the city of Portimão. Unlike a lot of its neighbours Ferragudo has kept a small but relatively local feel.

It is well known for its picturesque and colourful village, incredible beaches, its small harbour, and of course as one of the Algarve's earliest fishing villages - it's got some great restaurants serving local fish and seafood. If you're looking for a low-key Algarve base to explore from, it's perfect.

https://wetravelportugal.com/ferragudo-portugal/

Ferragudo is a small but beautiful village on the Arade estuary opposite the city of Portimão. Unlike a lot of its neighbours Ferragudo has kept a small but relatively local feel.

It is well known for its picturesque and colourful village, incredible beaches, its small harbour, and of course as one of the Algarve's earliest fishing villages - it's got some great restaurants serving local fish and seafood. If you're looking for a low-key Algarve base to explore from, it's perfect.

https://wetravelportugal.com/ferragudo-portugal/

If you want to experience the very best of the Algarve's coastline, the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail deserves to be right at the top of your list!

Stretching along the coast between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes, this incredible hike rewards you at every turn. You'll pass golden beaches, towering sea stacks, and massive natural sinkholes, all while taking in endless views of the Atlantic ocean.

That said, if you're planning to tackle the trail in August, preparation is key. It is the hottest and busiest time of year, so an early start is a must. Make sure to pack plenty of water and a hat, as there is virtually no shade along the entire route. It's 6km long if you do it as one-way trail, or 12km as an out-and-back.The car parks fill up early and get chaotic fast, so consider using a ride-share from nearby to keep your trip smooth and stress-free!

https://wetravelportugal.com/seven-hanging-valleys-algarve/

If you want to experience the very best of the Algarve's coastline, the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail deserves to be right at the top of your list!

Stretching along the coast between Praia da Marinha and Praia de Vale Centeanes, this incredible hike rewards you at every turn. You'll pass golden beaches, towering sea stacks, and massive natural sinkholes, all while taking in endless views of the Atlantic ocean.

That said, if you're planning to tackle the trail in August, preparation is key. It is the hottest and busiest time of year, so an early start is a must. Make sure to pack plenty of water and a hat, as there is virtually no shade along the entire route. It's 6km long if you do it as one-way trail, or 12km as an out-and-back.The car parks fill up early and get chaotic fast, so consider using a ride-share from nearby to keep your trip smooth and stress-free!

https://wetravelportugal.com/seven-hanging-valleys-algarve/

Alcoutim is a small but beautiful village perched on the banks of the Guadiana River, directly across from the Spanish town of Sanlúcar de Guadiana.

Unlike the more bustling coastal resorts, Alcoutim has preserved a quiet, traditional atmosphere that feels worlds away from the more typically known Algarve. It is well known for its whitewashed houses, its river beach, its historic hilltop castle, the serene river views, and its unique position as a gateway between two countries.

If you are looking for a peaceful, inland Algarve escape, it is perfect. For people that like to explore, it's well worth it!

Alcoutim also has one of my favourite Bordallo II sculptures - a river otter right on the river bank!

https://wetravelportugal.com/alcoutim-portugal/

Alcoutim is a small but beautiful village perched on the banks of the Guadiana River, directly across from the Spanish town of Sanlúcar de Guadiana.

Unlike the more bustling coastal resorts, Alcoutim has preserved a quiet, traditional atmosphere that feels worlds away from the more typically known Algarve. It is well known for its whitewashed houses, its river beach, its historic hilltop castle, the serene river views, and its unique position as a gateway between two countries.

If you are looking for a peaceful, inland Algarve, it is perfect. For people that like to explore, it's well worth it!

Alcoutim also has one of my favourite Bordallo II sculptures - a river otter right on the river bank!

https://wetravelportugal.com/alcoutim-portugal/

Fuseta is a small fishing town tucked between the popular hotspots of Faro and Tavira in the eastern Algarve. Despite its slightly more famous neighbours, Fuseta has held onto its traditional heart and laid-back vibe far better than many other former fishing villages in the region.

There are pretty backstreets to wander, narrow alleys to explore, and beautiful tiled houses to discover, along with lively plazas where people gather for coffee, lunch, and late-afternoon drinks. It has a small fish market that supplies some excellent local restaurants, and the whole town still feels relaxed, even though it is a summer favorite for locals and visitors alike.

Then you've got the beaches. Praia da Fuseta offers a smaller stretch of sand, sheltered waters, and views of the former lifeguard station. Alternatively, you can hop on a short ferry across the Ria Formosa to reach Ilha da Fuseta, a wide, sandy barrier-island beach that shows exactly why this part of the Algarve is one of my favorite places! 💙

https://wetravelportugal.com/fuseta-portugal/

Fuseta is a small fishing town tucked between the popular hotspots of Faro and Tavira in the eastern Algarve. Despite its slightly more famous neighbours, Fuseta has held onto its traditional heart and laid-back vibe far better than many other former fishing villages in the region.

There are pretty backstreets to wander, narrow alleys to explore, and beautiful tiled houses to discover, along with lively plazas where people gather for coffee, lunch, and late-afternoon drinks. It has a small fish market that supplies some excellent local restaurants, and the whole town still feels relaxed, even though it is a summer favorite for locals and visitors alike.

Then you've got the beaches. Praia da Fuseta offers a smaller stretch of sand, sheltered waters, and views of the former lifeguard station. Alternatively, you can hop on a short ferry across the Ria Formosa to reach Ilha da Fuseta, a wide, sandy barrier-island beach that shows exactly why this part of the Algarve is one of my favorite places! 💙

https://wetravelportugal.com/fuseta-portugal/

If you’re exploring the Eastern Algarve, you can't miss the tiny but mighty village of Cacela Velha.

It's a historical village with some amazing views of the Ria Formosa and coast. If you take the short but steep walk down from the village towards the lagoon you'll find one of my favourite beaches in the Algarve - Praia de Cacela Velha.

Depending on the tides you can wade across one of the channels, or you can take a short boat ride for a couple of euros! The beach has life guards, but no facilities, so you'll need to pack in and out what you need for your beach stay!

Cacela Velha is just 45 minutes from Faro, or 15 minutes from Tavira and well worth a visit!

https://wetravelportugal.com/cacela-velha/

If you’re exploring the Eastern Algarve, you can't miss the tiny but mighty village of Cacela Velha.

It's a historical village with some amazing views of the Ria Formosa and coast. If you take the short but steep walk down from the village towards the lagoon you'll find one of my favourite beaches in the Algarve - Praia de Cacela Velha.

Depending on the tides you can wade across one of the channels, or you can take a short boat ride for a couple of euros! The beach has life guards, but no facilities, so you'll need to pack in and out what you need for your beach stay!

Cacela Velha is just 45 minutes from Faro, or 15 minutes from Tavira and well worth a visit!

https://wetravelportugal.com/cacela-velha/

Sandwiched between Faro and Tavira, this former industrial fishing town has recently become one of my favorite spots in the Algarve.

From the bustling markets inside its iconic twin redbrick buildings, to the incredible seafood spots right outside, it's a food lover's dream. Outside its fun to get lost in the cubist-style streets, where among the white houses, you'll also find azulejos, murals, and statues telling the stories of the town's ancient legends.

If you go, make sure to take a ferry from the dock, they can take you to one of several barrier islands where you'll find some of the most pristine beaches in Portugal!

https://wetravelportugal.com/olhao-portugal/

Sandwiched between Faro and Tavira, this former industrial fishing town has recently become one of my favorite spots in the Algarve.

From the bustling markets inside its iconic twin redbrick buildings, to the incredible seafood spots right outside, it's a food lover's dream. Outside its fun to get lost in the cubist-style streets, where among the white houses, you'll also find azulejos, murals, and statues telling the stories of the town's ancient legends.

If you go, make sure to take a ferry from the dock, they can take you to one of several barrier islands where you'll find some of the most pristine beaches in Portugal!

https://wetravelportugal.com/olhao-portugal/

Far from the typical Algarve coast lies the small village of Estoi - with one big secret - Palácio de Estoi.

This is a palace that first dates to 1840, and its original construction is even said to have been inspired by the iconic Palácio Nacional da Pena in Sintra! Today it's a luxury Pousada where you can fully immerse yourself in lavish, Rococo surrounds.

The best part? If you don’t want to stay the night, you can still visit the stunning interiors, walk through the French-style gardens, and enjoy the café as a visitor, for a small cost.

It’s also one of my favorite places to admire azulejos (traditional tiles) in the Algarve!

https://wetravelportugal.com/estoi-palace/

Fuseta is a small fishing town in the eastern Algarve, roughly halfway between Faro and Tavira. Despite sitting between two of the region’s better-known destinations, it has managed to keep much of its traditional character and low-key charm, more so than many of the Algarve’s other former fishing towns.

There are pretty backstreets to wander, narrow alleys to explore, and beautiful tiled houses to discover, along with lively plazas where people gather for coffee, lunch, and late-afternoon drinks. Its small fish market supplies some excellent local restaurants, and the whole town still feels relaxed, even during summer.

Then there are the beaches. Praia da Fuseta offers a smaller stretch of sand, sheltered waters, and views of the former lifeguard station. Or you can hop on a short ferry across the Ria Formosa to reach Ilha da Fuseta, a wide, sandy barrier-island beach that shows exactly why this part of the Algarve is one of my favourite parts! 💙

https://wetravelportugal.com/fuseta-portugal/

Farol Island, or Ilha do Farol as it’s known locally, is actually located on Ilha da Culatra. Although the names suggest they are separate islands, they are two different parts of the same 6km long island. On the island you'll find increidble sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and an incredible island fee that's unlike anywhere else in the Algarve.

There's minimal roads, and there's no private vehicles here, it's idyllic. If you're in the area and looking for a beach day I'll always recommend hopping on a ferry from Faro or Olhão to explore it!

https://wetravelportugal.com/ilha-do-farol/