Where to stay in Algarve — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks

Local dishes to try in Algarve

1. 1🦞

   Cataplana

   Both the dish and the clam-shaped copper pan it's cooked in, which seals shut to steam everything in its own juices. The classic is clams (amêijoas) with tomato and peppers; many versions add prawns, fish, octopus and chouriço.

   📍 Steamed in a copper pan
2. 2🐟

   Grilled sardines

   Plump sardines grilled over charcoal until the skin blisters, served with bread, salad and boiled potatoes. The smell drifts through every old town in summer, especially during the street festivals.

   📍 Charcoal-blistered
3. 3🌶️

   Piri piri chicken

   Chicken marinated in piri piri chilli, garlic, olive oil and vinegar, then grilled over charcoal. Bold, spicy and found everywhere in the Algarve at very friendly prices.

   📍 Fiery grilled chicken
4. 4🍲

   Seafood açorda

   A rustic local dish of stale bread simmered into a soft, soupy stew with seafood broth, garlic, coriander and egg. Comforting, filling and pure Algarvian home cooking.

   📍 Soupy bread stew
5. 5🍬

   Dom Rodrigo

   A famous Algarve sweet that originated in a convent in Lagos, made from egg yolks, sugar, ground almonds, cinnamon and fios de ovos (egg threads), wrapped in colourful foil. Rich, intensely sweet convent-style confection.

   📍 Egg-and-almond sweet
6. 6🥃

   Medronho

   A potent spirit distilled from the orange strawberry-tree fruit that grows on the Monchique hills inland. Often home-made and sipped as a digestif at the end of a good meal.

   📍 Wild fruit brandy

1. 1🕳️

   Benagil Cave

   A sea cave famous for the circular oculus in its roof that pours sunlight onto the sand — ranked among the world's coolest caves. Reached only by boat tour, kayak or SUP from Benagil beach; swimming in is no longer permitted.

   📍 Iconic sea cave
2. 2🏖️

   Praia da Marinha

   Rated by the Michelin Guide as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in Europe. Turquoise water framed by golden cliffs, and the trailhead for the stunning Seven Hanging Valleys coastal walk.

   📍 World-class beach
3. 3🪨

   Ponta da Piedade

   A headland near Lagos where the Atlantic has carved rock pillars, tunnels and hidden grottos. Take a small boat through the arches or walk the steps down to sea level — magic at sunset.

   📍 Sea stacks & grottos
4. 4🦩

   Ria Formosa Natural Park

   A 60 km protected maze of lagoons, salt marshes and barrier islands along the eastern Algarve. Home to flamingos, spoonbills and the world's highest concentration of seahorses — boats run out to the sandy islands.

   📍 Lagoons & barrier islands
5. 5🏰

   Silves Castle

   A red-sandstone Moorish fortress crowning the old regional capital of Silves. Walk the ramparts for views over the town and orange groves, then wander the cobbled streets of the historic centre below.

   📍 Red Moorish fortress
6. 6🌊

   Cabo de São Vicente

   The southwesternmost point of mainland Europe, with a lighthouse perched on towering cliffs above the wild Atlantic. The most dramatic sunset spot in the entire Algarve.

   📍 Europe's southwest tip
7. 7🧭

   Sagres Fortress

   A historic clifftop fortress tied to Portugal's Age of Discovery, with a mysterious giant stone compass rose. Surrounded by famous surf beaches like Tonel and Amado.

   📍 Age of Discovery
8. 8🥾

   Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

   A clifftop trail from Praia da Marinha to Vale de Centeanes, passing caves, arches and hidden beaches. Often called one of Europe's most beautiful coastal walks; allow 2–3 hours.

   📍 5.7 km clifftop walk