Hidden gems in the Algarve: 10 ways to escape the tourist trail
5 April 2018 | Updated 13 June 20257 min read
Silves Head inland to discover one of the best hidden gems in the Algarve.
Incredible beaches, world-class golf courses and eternal affordability have made the Algarve one of the most popular holiday regions in Europe.
But even here, among the high-rise resorts, stag dos and full English breakfasts, there’s a lesser-known beat to explore. Like its famous oranges, peel away the Algarve’s layers and there’s plenty to get stuck into.
From wild, untouched beaches and secluded surf spots to peaceful hamlets where you can embrace slow-living, we round up ten hidden gems in the Algarve that are just waiting to be discovered.
1. Discover deserted Atlantic beaches on the west coast
The beaches of the central Algarve might be overrun during summer, but venture west, past the high-rises of Albufeira and Portimão, leaving the bars of Lagos in your wake, and Portugal’s southern region becomes wild and unruly.
Here the beaches retain an untouched beauty. On the west coast, Praia da Murração and Praia do Telheiro are two hidden gems close to Vila do Bispo, as is Praia do Cordoama. Praia do Castelejo's sweeping beach has Blue Flag status with seasonal lifeguard service, but others have nothing but a track down to the sand.
Closer to Carrapateira, Praia do Bordeira is a vast expanse of golden sand with dunes that stretch for miles. While swimming isn’t always safe due to strong currents, the remoteness of these beaches makes them perfect for sunbathing, beachcombing or just soaking up the salty solitude.
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2. Ride the waves at Amado Surf Camp
Surfers flock to the Algarve all year round for its excellent waves, chilled vibes and temperate weather. Its western shore gets the best swells and has the quietest beaches.
Conditions are ideal for learners and veterans alike, but if it’s your first taste of the waves, there are plenty of surf schools that will have you catching breaks and barrel rolling like a seasoned pro in no time. Amado Surf Camp runs week-long boot camps from its two locations (Sagres and Carrapateira). Alternatively, Wavy Surf Camp offers comprehensive day sessions with equipment rental and small group lessons.
If you’re already an experienced surfer, take your board down to Praia do Beliche, a sandy beach tucked away at the foot of the mighty sea cliffs at Sagres.
3. Stay off-grid in the restored hamlet of Aldeia da Pedralva
Two decades ago, the tiny hamlet of Pedralva had fewer than ten inhabitants and many of the houses had fallen into terrible disrepair. After a painstaking and ambitious renovation project, some 30 of the whitewashed houses now operate as Aldeia da Pedralva, a peaceful, slow-living retreat in the heart of the Costa Vicentina Parque Natural.
Hidden away in a shaded valley of cork and eucalyptus trees, this thriving eco-tourism venture is about as far as you can get from energetic resorts like Albufeira.
The hamlet has a handful of places to eat but Pedralva is mostly a place for slow tourism. It’s for trekking in the hills, cycling on quiet back roads and generally escaping from the rest of the world. There is no wi-fi and no TVs in the rooms, and that’s the point.
4. Watch the sun sink into the sea at Cabo de São Vicente
The lighthouse at Cabo de San Vicente is no secret and plenty visit the 'end of the world' from nearby Sagres. Most drop by for a few hours to explore the lighthouse before heading to the nearby Fortaleza de Sagres.
Few stay long enough to see the sunset but if you do, you’ll see something pretty spectacular – as the sun dips beyond the Atlantic horizon, it really does feel like the sun is setting on the edge of the world.
During daylight, the views are pretty spectacular too. Gigantic waves smash up onto the dizzyingly high sea cliffs, which stagger out for miles north and east. On a clear day, you can see as far as Faro.
5. Try Portuguese firewater in Monchique
One sip of Aguardente de Medronhos and you’ll soon understand why it’s earned the name “firewater”.
A traditional Portuguese fruit brandy distilled in the whitewashed mountain town of Monchique and the surrounding areas, this potent spirit comes from the lychee-like fruit of the arbutus tree and supposedly cures coughs and colds. Drank by farmers as an early morning eye-opener, it’s best tried after a meal – you’ll want a full stomach for this stuff.
To learn more about this distinctive spirit, there’s a small museum, Casa do Medronho, in neighbouring Marmelete. You can also visit one of the distilleries or, if you’re brave enough, just sip it in a Monchique café. For those who like a softer taste, try the honey-infused version.
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6. Hike the Rota Vicentina
A far cry from the coastal resorts, the Algarve’s forested hinterland is trekkers’ territory, and from the 902m (2,959ft) elevation of Foia, the highest point in the region, the views out to sea are worth the effort.
Closer to the coast, the Rota Vicentina 'Fishermen's Trail' covers more than 200km (124 miles) along the dramatic coastal cliffs and sleepy seaside villages in south-western Costa Vicentina.
Take day-sized stretches and explore the coast on foot, remembering to take plenty of water, sunscreen and hats. You’ll pass remote coves, ancient stone paths and maybe a shepherd or two.
7. Explore Moorish history at Silves Castle
For around 500 years, a large chunk of Portugal was ruled by the Moors. They were eventually pushed back to the southern Algarve before being ousted from Portugal completely in the 13th century.
Stood on a hilltop, Silves Castle remains one of Portugal’s best preserved examples of Moorish architecture. The hilltop fortress is built from red sandstone with panoramic views of the town below. Wander its mighty battlements and you’ll step back into an era when Silves was the region’s capital.
Although examples of Moorish influence are scarce in modern Portugal, there are a few traces still around, not least in its language: Portuguese owes many of its words to Arabic. In fact, the phrase oxalá (let’s hope) is thought to come from insha’Allah, the Arabic term for “God willing”. Meanwhile, mourejar – literally “to work like a Moor” – means to work hard.
8. Marvel at architectural treasures in Estoi
What Estoi lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in beauty. The rural town (20 minutes north of Faro) is home to Portugal's ‘Pink Palace’ – an 18th-century rococo-style palace with a bold pink facade and elaborate gardens that wouldn’t look out of place in Versailles.
After years of neglect, it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 2009. The gardens and the great halls are free to visit, but for a real flavour of this building’s beauty, treat yourself to a night's stay in one of the 63 exquisite rooms.
Nearby, the Roman Villa of Milreu was no doubt equally as grand in its heyday. Its ruins are now part of a vast archaeological site on the town’s outskirts, where you can see incredibly preserved mosaics and a temple dedicated to a water deity. Stop by the museum to see a scale model of the villa’s former glory.
9. Sample award-winning vintages in Lagoa’s wineries
Lagoa may be the Algarve’s largest wine region, but its vineyards still feel under-the-radar.
At Morgado do Quintão, a centuries-old family-run vineyard, tastings are held under ancient trees and often paired with a ‘Farmer’s Table’ lunch featuring regional produce. This organic estate champions native grape varieties like negramole and crato branco, and has twice been named Algarve’s best by Revista de Vinhos.
Boutique wine farm, Quinta dos Santos, only opened its doors to the public in 2018, but has quickly made an impression, blending traditional and modern techniques to produce its wine. Grape varieties include tinto negra mole, bastardo and verdelho and you can sample the wines alongside tasty tapas at the onsite restaurant, A Esquina.
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10. Uncover local life in Loulé
Tucked just inland from Faro, Loulé is a true hidden gem in the Algarve, where life hums along at its own rhythm. Its vibrant covered market is a delight for foodies, particularly on Saturdays when it spills into the surrounding streets with farmers, fishmongers and craft stalls.
Its strong artisan scene is Loulé’s other big draw and you can explore tucked-away studios and traditional workshops where local makers craft cork products, tiles and lace.
Whether you’re visiting for the crafts, the culture or just the atmosphere, Loulé’s charm lies in its authenticity – it’s the Algarve with all the gloss stripped away.
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