The best things to do in the Algarve

For stunning waterfalls, drive to Queda do Vigário (N124 11X, Alte), the final drop in a series of waterfalls formed by limestone tufas along the Alte stream. As clear as it is cold, the water begins its journey at Quinta do Freixo and joins the Algibre stream near Paderne, forming the Quarteira stream. It plunges dramatically from a height of 24 metres into a pool that looks like a giant basin, in a spot of striking natural beauty. The car park is around 200 metres from the waterfall, and the path down to the water is steep and somewhat worn, with no bar or support facilities – but the visit is more than worth it.

Address: N124 11X, Alte, Algarve 

Hours: Open 24 hours daily

Price: Free entry

Well, you’re in the Algarve, aren’t you? You’re at least partially here to swim, sunbathe and swim some more. There are plenty of beaches, many of which get very crowded in the busy months. But we do have some more low-key favourites, which might just mean you get a whole second of sand to yourself: check out Cacela Velha, Coelha, Homem Nu (which translates to ‘Naked Man,’ Boca do Rio and Marinha – you might never want to leave. 

Address: R. de Cacela Velha, Vila Nova de Cacela, Algarve

Praia de Cacela Velha can only be accessed by walking across the lagoon from the mainland during lowtide, or via water taxis found at the shoreline in Sítio da Fábrica. 

Opening hours: Open 24 hours

Price: Free entry

Kubidoce might look like just another neighbourhood pastry shop, but what happens behind the counter is anything but ordinary. Pastry chef, Filipe Martins, goes beyond the typical Portugese pastries like pastéis de nata and Dom Rodrigo, and ventures into Italian panettones, French pastries, pancakes, bruschetta and more. He experiments with gluten-free options, natural fermentation, and homemade creams, sauces and granolas. Don’t leave without trying the folar de Olhão, a modern take on the traditional Easter sweet bread made with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. And putting his own stamp on the folar, he also offers flavours like sweet potato with almond and fig with orange and almond.

Address: N125 118, 8700-137 Olhão, Algarve

Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 7.30am to 7pm, Saturday from 7am to 7pm, closed Sunday and Monday 

Price: €.60-5 for breads, €1-8 for pastries, €5-9 for pancakes and crepes

Who would have thought that beyond the golf courses, and hustle and bustle of Vilamoura, you’d find one of the best places in the Algarve for birdwatching? Species like the purple heron, little bittern, purple gallinule, marsh harrier, kingfisher and more can be found at the Vilamoura Environmental Park, where you'll find five-kilometre trail and a range of wonderfully diverse wildlife. The best times to spot the most variety of species are early in the morning or late in the day, but the tranquillity found at the observation points is a treat at any hour.

Address: Estr. de Albufeira 8125, Vilamoura, Quarteira 8125-300, Alagarve 

Hours: Open 24 hours

Price: Free entry

The Cerro da Vila Museum and Archaeological Site is probably the most unexpected spot in Vilamoura, but a charming one, nonetheless, and perfect for a break between dips in the sea. Wander through Roman ruins and remnants that suggest Vilamoura was already a sun-seeker’s destination long before the times of travel trends. Or at least, that’s what can be deduced from the remains of the public baths and swimming pool. Learn the history within the museum and through objects collected and restored from the area, offering a fascinating glimpse into the long history beneath Vilamoura’s modern surface.

Address: Av. Cerro da Vila, 8125-507 Quarteira, Algarve

Hours: Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm and 2pm to 6pm, closed Saturday and Sunday 

Price: €4 for general admission

Still underrated in national wine circles, Algarvian wine is beginning to come into its own, gaining both, ground and terroir on wine lists and in cellars across the country. The region’s proximity to the sea and sandy soils give the wines a lighter body, with fresh, saline aromas. Some winemakers are even bringing new life to Negra Mole, a grape variety typical of the Algarve, with promising results. Estates like Cabrita (Silves), João Clara (Alcantarilha), Quinta dos Vales (Estômbar) and Quinta do Francês (Silves) are among those offering tours and tastings. It's the perfect way to spend a warm afternoon in August or September.

Address: Cabrita is located at Quinta da Vinha, Sítio da Vala, Silves, 8300-032, Algarve

Hours: Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm, closed Saturday and Sunday

Price: Classic wine tastings go from €32

Towering over a secluded beach, the Benagil Sea Caves can only be reached by sea. Book a kayak trip with Xplore Benagil Kayak&Sup, where you can paddle along cliffs and around rock formations before taking a dive in deep blue. Once inside the caves, look up. There's a stunning opening in the ceiling with views of the blue sky above. If you're feeling adventurous, you can kayak or stand-up paddleboard around the caves, too, but be careful if you decide to swim. The tide can change quite quickly, and the water is fairly deep.

Address: The meeting point is just outside the O'Litoral restaurant, located at Estr. de Benagil, 8400-427 Lagoa, Algarve 

Price: €32 for general admission 

The only people who don’t find it fun to swing a club or ride around in a buggy are those who’ve never tried it – or at least, that’s the conclusion we came to while playing at the Dom Pedro Golf Academy Vilamoura. Dive into a lesson on your own or with friends and family. Best part? Golf courses here are being pushed to focus more on sustainability. Given the droughts in the region, efforts have been made to reduce water consumption at these courses by irrigating with recycled water.

Address: Avenida Tivoli, Lote H5, 8125-410 Quarteira, Algarve

Hours: Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm, and 2pm to 6pm, closed Saturday and Sunday 

Price: One-hour golf clinics are €38 per person for groups of three to six. For more options, visit the official website here.