10 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Algarve, Portugal

Welcome to the stunning Algarve region of Portugal, full of impressive cliffs, breathtaking beaches and crystal-clear waters. This beautiful region is home to over 150 km of coastline and is a true paradise for people who love beach and nature! Besides beautiful beaches, you will also find many unique rock formations, caves and hiking trails here. In this blog post, you find 10 of the most beautiful places to visit in Algarve, Portugal.

Overview

1. Praia Da Prainha & Praia Dos Tres Irmaos

37° 07′ N, 08° 34′ W

Praia dos Três Irmãos is a wide and spacious beach with a beautiful feature. Here, you can see these unique rock formations, called the “Three Brothers” rising out of the water. Surrounded by cliffs and with a backdrop of lush greenery, Praia dos Três Irmãos is a picturesque spot, perfect for a day of relaxation.

Sarah standing on Praia da Prainha beach in front of a big natural door in a red limestone cliff. In the background, you see another rock formation sticking out of the ocean. Sarah is wearing a white dress and holding her hat on her head.
Praia da Prainha

Right next to Praia dos Tres Irmaos, you find Praia da Prainha. It is a secluded beach, tucked away between beautiful rock formations and cliffs. This idyllic beach is a hidden gem, with crystal-clear turquoise waters and natural doors in the cliffs. It is the perfect spot to enjoy a beautiful sunset, like we did.

In our opinion, Praia da Prainha was the most beautiful beach in the whole of the Algarve.

Sarah standing on Praia da Prainha looking towards a limestone rock formation sticking out of the ocean in the background.
Praia da Prainha in the Algarve, Portugal
The two of us walking towards the sea on Praia dos Três Irmãos. In the background, you see a big yellow limestone rockformation.
Praia dos Três Irmãos

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2. Praia Da Bordeira

37° 11′ N, 08° 54′ W

Praia da Bordeira is a beautiful stretch of coastline, located in the western part of the Algarve. This beach is not only surrounded by rugged cliffs but there are also gigantic sand dunes providing a stunning backdrop for beach walks, which make this beach truly unique. Behind the dunes, you will also find a small lagoon that forms at low tide, creating a unique landscape that’s perfect for exploring.

A bird eye perspective picture of the both of us standing on Praia da Bordeira. On the left side you see the sea rolling on the beach, on the right side you see the beach where we are standing.
Praia da Bordeira
A drone shot of the two of us walking over Praia da Bordeira along the sea during sunset.
Praia da Bordeira

Hotels

Discover the best places to in the Algarve and enjoy an unforgettable trip!

3. Praia Da Marinha

37° 05′ N, 08° 54′ W

Praia da Marinha is known for its crystal-clear waters, dramatic cliffs, and golden sands. You can not only explore the beach but you can also walk over the surrounding cliffs and enjoy a beautiful view over Praia da Marinha, the cliffs, and the endless sea. If you want to witness an incredible sunrise, Praia da Marinha is the place to be.

Tip: Praia da Marinha is the start or ending point of the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail.

The two of us standing on a yellow limestone cliff next to the ocean. In the background you see more limestone cliffs in the sea.
Praia da Marinha in the afternoon
Rough yellow limestone cliffs next to the sea.
Praia da Marinha during sunrise
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4. Praia Da Albandeira

37° 05′ N, 08° 23′ W

Praia da Albandeira is a picturesque and secluded beach with some beautiful rocky cliffs. Typical for this beach is this one rock formation in the middle, dividing the beach in two. A stair is built on top of this rock to access both sides. 

Sarah standing on the rocks at Praia da Albandeira. In the background you see a yellow limestone cliff rising from the sea.
Praia da Albandeira
Although Praia da Albandeira may be a bit off the beaten path, it’s well worth the journey for those seeking a quiet and idyllic beach getaway. It is a great place to swim, sunbathe, and explore some sea caves and rock formations. At low tide, you might be able to walk through a little passage in the rocks, from where you’ll get a breathtaking view of Arco da Albandeira.

5. Arco De Albandeira

37° 05′ N, 08° 24′ W

If you are looking for an impressive rock formation, Arco de Albandeira is the place to be. This impressive arch-shaped rock formation is located next to Praia da Albandeira and was created over thousands of years of erosion by the sea and wind. It stands tall and proud, surrounded by the endless blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

The two of us walking over a natural yellow limestone arch sticking out of the sea.
Arco da Albandeira

Arco de Albandeira is a popular spot for sightseeing and photography, as it provides a breathtaking backdrop for any photo. If you’re visiting Praia da Albandeira, be sure to take some time to visit this stunning natural wonder.

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6. Ponta Da Piedade

37° 04′ N, 08° 40′ W

Ponta da Piedade is another stunning natural rock formation located in Lagos. It is one of the most famous and best places to visit in Algarve. This impressive landmark consists of a series of towering cliffs, carved out by the wind and waves over thousands of years, that created a bridge-like formation over the sea. You can take a boat tour through the many sea caves or you can walk down a winding staircase to reach the base of the cliffs. The view from the top of the cliffs is breathtaking, with a panoramic view over the surrounding beaches and waters of the Atlantic Ocean.

Yellow natural rock formations sticking out of the sea.
Ponta da Piedade
Big, rough rock formations by the sea.
Ponta da Piedade

7. Benagil Cave

37° 05′ N, 08° 25′ W

If you like caves, how about sea caves? The Benagil Cave is a stunning sea cave, famous for its unique dome-shaped ceiling and its location directly on the beach. There is a large hole in the ceiling, through which a large beam of light shines in. At the right time of day, the beam of light shines straight at a rock in the cave, creating this picture-perfect scenery. You can also stand on top of the cave and look inside through the hole. This unique sight makes it also one of the most famous places to visit in the Algarve.

The two of us standing on a rock on the beach inside Benagil Cave. There's a big hole in the roof of the cave where light is shining through.
Benagil Cave

There’s a small beach inside but the access to the cave is filled with water, so you can not enter the cave by foot. The only way to get inside the cave is by swimming, renting a kayak or SUP, or taking a Benagil cave tour by boat or kayak. We do not recommend swimming because the current can be unpredictable and the sea too rough, making it too dangerous to swim.

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Prices

Most rental companies charge € 15 per person for 1,5 hrs.

Opening Hours

Most of the rental companies start renting from 08:00 or 08:30 to 17:30 (last rental).

8. Boneca's Cave

37° 05′ N, 08° 27′ W

Boneca’s cave or “Gruta da Boneca” is a limestone cave, known for its unique shape, creating a natural window to the ocean. The cave is named by a fisherman, who saw a doll-like shape in a stalagmite, which is the translation of “Boneca” in Portuguese. It’s one of the most unique places to visit in Algarve. Besides the cave, you can also explore the surrounding limestone formations and take a refreshing dip in the natural pool.

Stairs leading down a big orange limestone cliff.
The stairs towards Boneca's Cave
Sarah sitting inside a hole inside a cave watching over the sea in the background.
Boneca's Cave

Hotels

Find the best places to stay in the Algarve and enjoy a comfortable trip.

9. Yellow Submarine Rock

37° 05′ N, 08° 23′ W

The Yellow Submarine Rock is a unique natural landmark that captivates visitors with its striking appearance. Situated along the picturesque coastline, this rock formation resembles the iconic submarine from The Beatles’ song “Yellow Submarine.” The rock is made of limestone and is characterized by its distinct yellow color, which is enhanced by the warm sunlight that bathes the region.

A yellow limestone rock in the shape of the Yellow Submarine sticking out of the sea.
Yellow Submarine Rock

10. Ria Formosa - Ludo's Hiking Trail

37° 00′ N, 07° 59′ W

The Ludo Trail is a bit of a hidden gem in Faro. It was one of our favorite things to do in the Algarve. This beautiful trail takes you through the unique landscapes of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, along salt marshes, lagoons, and sand dunes.

Sarah standing on a sand trail watching over a dried up salt pan.
Ludo's Hiking Trail
Sarah walking over a sand trail while an airplane is flying in the air above her head.
Ludo's Hiking Trail

As you hike along the well-marked paths, you’ll be surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. Keep an eye out because, if you are lucky, you might be able to spot some incredible wildlife like frogs, tortoises, crabs, and even chameleons. One of the highlights of the Ludo Trail is that you might even spot flamingos in the shallow waters along the way.

Flamingos in the water with some bushes in the background, on Ludo's Hiking Trail
Flamingos on Ludo's Hiking Trail

Extra: Seven Hanging Valleys Trail

37° 05′ N, 08° 24′ W

The Seven Hanging Valley Trail is a beautiful hike along the stunning coastline of Portugal’s Algarve region. This beautiful trail takes you along the rugged cliffs, impressive sinkholes, and azure blue seas, and offers some of the most breathtaking views of the area.

The Seven Hanging Valley Trail, a sand trail with a fence on the left side next to the sea over the cliffs.

The trail is 5,7km long (linear) and takes you along a series of seven picturesque hanging valleys. These valleys are characterized by steep cliffs that drop dramatically into the turquoise waters below. If the whole trail is too long for you, you can easily do just a part of the hike. The path is well-marked but also offers some challenging sections that require careful footing and a sense of adventure.

The best part: This trail takes you along 3 of the above-mentioned places.

1

Praia da marinha

2

Benagil cave

3

Boneca's cave

Sarah standing on a cliff next to the sea while taking a picture.
Boneca's Cave
Cédric standing on a rough yellow limestone cliff watching over a beach and the sea. In the background you see the sunrise over a big rough cliff.

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Last updated: February 16, 2025

Win-Win for everyone

Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?

However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!

Last edited: 26/07/2023

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