Portugal’s sun-drenched southwest coast comes alive in the summer months. It’s a superbly varied and attractive landscape: a likely endless series of rocky coves and luminous beaches, quiet villages, bustling resort towns, world-class seafood and clifftop bars.
The Algarve has 3 distinct regions.
To the east, it borders Spain, with the Guadiana River forming a natural barrier on its stunning coastline. Here you will find the Ria Formosa Natural Park, where sandy islands, marshes and marshes protect the land from the sea. Kayak tours will allow you to paddle with dolphins and flamingos. Inland, quiet villages and deserted valleys offer glorious hikes.
To the west, the Algarve flows into the wild Atlantic and can feel like the end of the world. It proliferates with dusty cliff trails leading to spooky coves frequented mostly by local fishermen and visiting surfers chasing the ocean swell. Small whitewashed villages cluster around the farms, and the winding roads are lined with motorhomes heading to the end of the road.
The central Algarve is the most evolved area, flanked on either side by the major cities of Lagos to the west and Faro to the east. Even here, between water parks and golf courses, the old Algarve survives. At its centre is Albufeira, the castle on the sea. “A former fishing village and the last bastion of the Arab profession in Europe, it has now become a favourite spot for tourists who make a stopover thanks to its combination of old and new and its ideal location for day trips. It’s definitely a tall order where you want to rent a car and once you have one, here’s how to make the most of a stopover in the Algarve.
Opened in 2022, W Algarve is the most modern and fun hotel in the Algarve right now. Combining the brand’s taste with a design that reflects the region’s relationship with the sea and the influence of Moorish culture, the hotel resembles a large sculpture in places. .
Stop until you reach the front and under your feet you’ll find a tribute to the Calçada Portuguesa, the iconic mosaic sidewalks dotted throughout the country. The front itself is a carriage door carved out of a huge white wave that protects visitors from the relentless sun. Inside, the lobby merges with the Moorish-style W Lounge and sunbathing terrace overlooking a expansive grounds filled with fountains and a mandatory pool.
Open walls also serve as dividers for areas and artwork. They’re filled with nods to local culture and community: one is topped with colorful ceramic plates embroidered through local Vista Alegre artisans; It houses strangely shaped voids, liminal zones that speak of the Moura Encantada, supernatural beings of Portuguese folklore. It’s a seductive and sublime introduction.
Elegant rooms are dominated by giant headboards in regional buildings.
The W’s 134 west-facing rooms and WOW Suites are no less elegant, but noticeably more serene in design. Each has a giant shaded balcony (WOW Suites have rooftop terraces), ideal for personal aperitifs with sea views. As the sun sets, the tiles on the walls glow like the scales of a fish swimming a few meters away in the Gulf of Cadiz.
Inside, a pastel wash helps keep rooms bright and fresh. The main points set things apart: the giant sardine pillow on the beds to celebrate local festivals such as the Festival da Sardinha in the nearby city of Portimão; the backlit headboards in the shape of houses, churches and hermitages in the area; Lighting fixtures that map lace patterns on the floor to recognize classic paintings of women while men went out to sea. The amenities are, of course, top notch.
Seen from above, the W’s massive grounds and its two-tiered zebra pool, complete with a wet bar.
In the huge courtyard surrounded by walls on either side of the W’s dormitories and permanent residences, giant gardens house a two-tiered swimming pool where wealthy visitors pout and frolic while wild youths scream and splash. Between tours to the herbal wonders of the Algarve, there are few better ways to spend the day. SIP@WET, the poolside beach bar serves well-prepared dishes, Asian and Portuguese specialties, and gallons of beer and champagne.
Beyond that, a winding path leads to the secluded but rocky beach of Balbina. For something more refined, Away Spa is an ode to tuna fishermen in its design, but it smells so much better!Patterns and textures collide in an unexpected tranquility, aided in a giant component through the strong hands of a resident masseuse.
W Hotels pride themselves on their wonderful food, and this Algarve outpost is no different. The quiet and airy Market Kitchen is the main venue, where hearty breakfasts (undoubtedly the best of any hotel stay) and extended dinners are served, indoors or preferably outdoors with views of Santa Fonte, the hotel’s fun fountain, music, and gentle shows depicting some of Portugal’s biggest festivals. Seafood-centric regional classics dominate the menu. Don’t miss the classic and delicious Cataplana of the Algarve.
Market Kitchen Terrace is a quiet area to start your day with a hearty breakfast.
On the rooftop, an outpost of Milan’s popular Paper Moon restaurant serves Italian classics with surprising perspectives from its expansive terrace. For something a little more intimate, book a personal dinner at Vino By Paper Moon, where the ideal on-site sommelier will offer you signature wines that pair perfectly with the seasonal cru menu. Fortunately, you may not have to walk very far home.
Rooms at the W Algarve start from £186 per night for Marriott Bonvoy members.
With Albufeira as your starting point, the whole of the Algarve is at your fingertips. And while there are enough golf courses to keep your covered Tiger Woods satisfied for several lifetimes, there are plenty of other wonderful attractions that will keep you busy.
Rowdy beaches crowd the coast of the Algarve. La only question is which one to choose.
First of all, the beaches. To be honest, you can simply close your eyes, show the map, and probably locate yourself on a heavenly slice of golden sand bordered by azure blue waters. The challenge is that there may be a million more visitors with the same idea. When you arrive at the hotel, you will find São Rafael Beach, with its crystal clear waters and imposing rocky outcrops. However, I chose the ordinary Praia do Ninho das Andorinhas, a small strip of sand hidden behind a rocky staircase, where a low slope is located. The cave opens up to the ocean. Stunning, it’s the kind of beach you see decorating tourist sites, which in itself is enough to attract visitors to the area.
For a bit of action, take a random, fast but fun kayak tour along the coast to explore the caves and rock formations of Benagil. If surfing is your thing and the waves are high, Praia da Arrifana, just under 50 miles west of Albufeira in the Atlantic, is one of my favorite and most flexible waves in Portugal. Along the way, avoid visiting the villages that catch your eye: all of them will have a pastry shop serving delicious galãos and pastais de nata.
Take a kayak tour of the usual Benagil cave, even if you’re lucky enough to find it so empty.
For man-made water thrills, the Algarve is a hotspot for fun water parks. My pick among the biggest is Slide
Sardines are highly prized in the Algarve, either as a cultural landmark and as a delicious lunch or dinner, or both!There is no shortage of superb bars and restaurants serving freshly caught local seafood and plenty of fried and salted sardines, perfectly washed down with a fresh local white wine.
Grilled sardines, Sagres and an empty beach. What else do you need?
To the east of Albufeira, near Faro Airport, is the Ilha do Farol, the island of Faro, and its ramshackle collection of atmospheric beach bars. The focus is on O Paquete with its undeniable Algarve menu of new seafood and very good risotto. . In Faro itself, find some of the Algarve’s most productive dishes at the historic Adega Dois Irmãos, under the watchful eye of chef Anthony Dias.
Closer to home in Albufeira, A Sardinha is a stone’s throw to the west, overlooking Playa dos Arrifes. A charming waterfront dining spot focused on sardines, it’s as famous for its service as it is for its delicious food.