Secluded, golden-sand beaches, old fortress ruins and more charming fishing towns with fresh seafood than you could possibly count – it is clear why the Algarve is often touted as Europe’s favourite secret.

The southernmost region of Portugal, located between Faro and Lagos, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country – but there is far more to the Algarve than buzzing resort towns and world-class golf courses. 

Imagine miles of rugged coastline overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, traditional fishing villages serving up fresh seafood, and mysterious caves. The Algarve is a nuanced destination brimming with history, culture, and an infectious lust for life that you will struggle to find elsewhere.

THINGS TO SEE AND DO

THE ALGARVE’S STUNNING BEACHES

When visiting The Algarve, you need to spend a day at one of the region’s beautiful beaches, which there are an endless number of.

There is something for every kind of beach lover, from private coves with limestone caves to long sweeping white-sand bays. The beaches closest to Lagos are ideal for swimming and relaxing, but you will need to travel a bit further out of town to find the perfect surfing conditions. We recommend you visit Praia de Dona Ana, one of the closest beaches to Lagos town. It’s a medium-sized beach with yellow sand and beautiful turquoise waters shadowed by the Algarve’s token limestone cliffs.

If you prefer admiring stunning views to lounging around, we suggest you visit Praia de Marinha – arguably the most picturesque beach in the whole of Portugal. Marinha Beach and its surrounding cliffs are one of the things you must see in the Algarve. The real highlight is the path along the cliffside giving you jaw-dropping views of the vast ocean. Simply, follow a 1.5-kilometre walk where you pass the Arco Natural, the famous heart-shaped rock, which is actually an optical illusion towards the popular Bengail Cave.

ENJOY A ROUND OF GOLF

The Algarve is home to thirty-four 18-hole and six 9-hole golf courses. Five courses in the region have been ranked among the top 100 golf courses in continental Europe, and six have recently made it into the Rolex World’s Top 1000 Golf Courses. It is fair to say that The Algarve is a haven for golfers.

A jewel in the crown of the five courses near the Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort is the Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, designed by the late Arnold Palmer. It has hosted the Portugal Masters since 2007 and was home to the World Cup Championship in 2005. Considering the pedigree and stellar facilities, greens fees are surprisingly affordable, at under $200 for 18 holes. Other nearby courses we recommend are The Old Course, Millennium, Pinhal, and Laguna.

ENJOY A GLASS OF WINE

The history of wine growing in Portugal is thousands of years old, and the Algarve is particularly well-suited to viticulture and winemaking. Protected by its surrounding mountains, the region has the perfect climate and landscape for producing excellent and unique wines. 

Warm, velvety reds include Negra Mole, Castelão and Trincadeira, while white wines such as Arinto, Malvasia Fina and Crato Branco (Síria) taste delicate and smooth. Portugal is also renowned for its port, a fortified wine that originated in the coastal city of Porto in the 15th century. The region is known for its white and red varietals from wineries, including Quinta dos Vales, which produces a range of red, white and rose wines at different price points. It also features the art of owner Karl Heinz Stock. Other wineries in the region are Paxa Wines, Quinta do Barranco Longo and Quinta do Francês. So, put the "port" in Portugal and enjoy a nice glass of wine while the sun sets

WATER SPORTS AND DOLPHIN WATCHING

Thanks to its location on the Atlantic Ocean, the Algarve is the perfect destination for water activities. Companies like Albufeira-based Dream Wave offer exhilarating jet ski and parasailing activities, as well as boat rentals. They also provide a dolphin-watching tour in a 10-seat jet-powered boat or a larger boat. Whatsmore your childhood dreams of becoming a pirate can come true aboard the Pirate Ship Cruise in Albufeira, in which you sail aboard "Leãozinho" on a 2-hour excursion and stop off at the most paradisical beaches, São Rafael, Castelo and Galé.

While dolphins aren't always visible, it's a magical sight when they appear. To guarantee seeing dolphins, consider visiting Zoomarine, a water-based family theme park located in Guia that offers a chance to interact with the adorable mammals. The park also features an aquarium, a 4D movie theatre, and a wave beach with water slides and sand.

LEARN ABOUT THE REGION’S HISTORY

There is much more to the Algarve than azure waters and romantic cloves – it also has a rich history with plenty of ancient and medieval castles to visit. The Castle of Lagos is one of the most impressive in the country, with well-preserved city walls and towers surrounding the entire town. It was originally built during Roman times before renovations in the 16th century saw it enlarged. In 1755, it was almost entirely destroyed by a tsunami and wasn't rebuilt until the 20th century, when it was declared a National Monument.

Visitors interested in Moorish art and architecture should head inland for Silves, the former capital of the Algarve. The Silves Castle looms from a nearby hilltop, and it's worth visiting the town just to feast your eyes on it. You'll pay less than three euros for an entry ticket, an absolute bargain considering the splendour of the gardens inside this impressive fortress. Archaeological remains place fortifications on the site as far back as the Bronze Age, but what remains today dates from the Moorish occupation of the castle between the 8th and 12th centuries. Excavation of the area continues to this day, with medieval artefacts routinely being discovered.

PARTY AT THE STRIP IN ALBUFEIRA

Once you have finished sunbathing or returned to shore after an afternoon dolphin-watching, why not head to Albufeira for a night on the town.

Once a quiet fishing village, the coastal town of Albufeira has transformed into one of the best party towns across Europe. Along with its sandy beaches, one of the biggest draws is Avenida Francisco Sá Carneiro, known locally as the Strip, a long street crammed with bars and open-air nightclubs that actively encourages drinking and partying until the crack of dawn.

WHAT TO EAT

With the many stunning beaches and magical villages to explore, it can be easy to forget that the Algarve also has an exceptional culinary reputation.

Whether you're after a Michelin star experience or enjoy simple, freshly prepared local food, you'll find something special to eat in Portugal's Algarve.

Frango da Guia

You will see this staple of Portuguese cuisine on offer throughout the country, but this wonderfully delicious spicy chicken actually originated in the Algarve, so this is the place to try it. Some insist on marinating the chicken in the spicy sauce before cooking, while others cook it on the charcoal grill and then cover it in the sauce afterwards. Either way, it is delicious. 

Conquilhas à Algarvia

Even if you're not usually a fan of seafood, we recommend you don't leave the Algarve without trying the region's succulent clams. Fresh from the Atlantic Ocean, these are the star of Conquilhas à Algarvia, an excellent dish with fried onions, garlic and sliced Portuguese sausage. All cooked together in a pan with fresh clams and garnished with parsley or coriander.

Cataplana de marisco

If you love seafood, then you definitely don't want to miss out on the pleasure that is the cataplana de marisco (seafood cataplana). A dish that truly celebrates everything the sea has to offer, this dish combines lobster, clams, squid and whatever else is available on the day. All the various components are gently fried with herbs, white wine and tomatoes and served with the blissful sauce that is created as a result.

Sardines (in Portimão)

You may have eaten Sardines before, but not like this. When it comes to the Algarve, Portimão is the place to go for fresh sardines, and they actually celebrate an annual sardine festival each August. Even if you can't make it to the festival, be sure to sample this favourite local delicacy. They taste better than they do in a tin.

Javali

If you need a break from the seafood or are simply just curious to see what else Algarve cuisine has to offer, head inland to give some of the region’s delicious meat dishes a try. Wild boar (javali) is one such example. Tender and succulent, this is definitely worth a try.

Tarte de Alfarroba

For desert, why not try Tarte de Alfarrob, one of the most typical desserts in the Algarve. Carob (alfarroba in Portuguese) may be a weird looking fruit, but what it lacks in appeal it certainly makes up for in deliciousness: it’s sweet and flavourful, tasting quite a bit like cocoa.

WHERE TO STAY

TIVOLI CARVOEIRO ALGARVE RESORT

In this picturesque village of Carvoeiro, on Vale Covo beach, where the blue sea draws cutouts on the imposing cliffs and the fine sands contrast with the green of the golf courses, you will find Tivoli Carvoeiro. 

This whitewashed, 248-room hotel lies low along the clifftops, where the sound of the waves washing on the rocks will lull you to sleep. With interiors re-modelled by interior designers Broadway Malyan to a white-on-white perfection, it brims with a relaxed, beach-chic vibe topped by a sleek Sky Bar and the gastro restaurant, The One. 

VILA VITA PARC

VILA VITA Parc celebrates the best of the Algarve, immersing you in a luxurious and lush seaside oasis. Endless views to the horizon blend with the luxuriant greenery of our gardens and the sparkling blue of the Atlantic Ocean, creating an extravagant display of vibrant colours. Set on 54 spectacular acres of lush, blooming subtropical gardens in front of a striking coastline, VILA VITA Parc has something for everyone, from an outstanding spa and excellent restaurants, including one with two Michelin stars, to golf, tennis and waterskiing.

OCTANT PRAIA VERDE

Praia Verde's sleek, slate exterior is nestled nicely between expansive pine forest and beach on the Algarve's unspoilt eastern coast and offers stunning views of the sea and a swimming pool surrounded by pine trees and served with its very own pool bar.

As part of Design Hotels, the style is pleasingly simple yet laced with charm and an easy generosity, most visible in the flavourful dishes at Terra Restaurant, with its wood-oven and healthy, rustic, homemade, delicious cuisine. 

THE BEST BARS

Day and night, the beaches of the Algarve draw a crowd enjoying the views, food and party atmosphere. Whether for a healthy juice to kick off the day or for sun-downers to start the night, there are a plethora of bars to choose from across the region, where you can wiggle your toes in the sand and shake your hips to the latest sounds.

REACH THE ALGARVE BY PRIVATE JET FLIGHTS

At Astute Aviation, we provide our private jet customers access to a unique variety of aircraft available for charter and highly low jet charter prices. 

Our fleet provides a variety of amenities, technology, and passenger seating choices. Whether you are looking for a small or big group, we can assist you in making the appropriate selection when selecting an aircraft at competitive prices with no hidden extras.

AIRPORTS IN THE ALGARVE FOR PRIVATE CHARTER FLIGHTS

There are several airports across the Algarve, the main one being Faro Airport (FAO), but if you want something a little less crowded, why not depart at Portimão Airport (LPPM) or Porto Airport (OPO).

GET A QUICK THE ALGARVE AIR CHARTER QUOTE

Astute Aviation is committed to providing you with the most luxurious air charter experience possible. Get a quick quote from Astute Aviation to charter a private jet to The Algarve and experience it yourself.

Call us for more information on our jet charter flights from Manchester or Liverpool to The Algarve.

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