Discover Algarve

The Algarve is mainland Portugal's southernmost region, a narrow strip of coast and hinterland with 467,495 permanent residents that triples in population every summer as it becomes the country's most visited tourist destination, drawing an estimated 4.2 million visitors in 2017 alone. Faro, on the Ria Formosa lagoon, is the administrative capital and airport gateway; Lagos, Sagres, Silves and Tavira, each with its own Moorish and Age-of-Discovery history, round out the region's historic towns, alongside the resort coast around Albufeira. The region splits into the wilder, western Barlavento and the calmer, eastern Sotavento.

History runs deep here: named for the Arabic al-Gharb, "the West," the Algarve was under Moorish rule for roughly five centuries before its 13th-century reconquest, and Portuguese monarchs styled themselves "King of the Algarves" into the 20th century. Prince Henry the Navigator based his maritime expeditions near Lagos in the 15th century, launching the Age of Discovery; Lagos was the Algarve's capital until the catastrophic 1755 Lisbon earthquake, centred just off the region's own coast, flattened most of its towns, after which Faro took over as capital. Today the draw is coastal: the Ria Formosa's lagoons and barrier islands, the wild Atlantic cliffs of the Vicentine Coast, cataplana seafood and the local spirit medronho. This page covers the Algarve as a whole; its six city pages hold the detail.

How many days do I need?

A week covers Faro, Lagos and one or two further stops. Ten days to two weeks allows a full loop from the western capes to the eastern lagoons around Tavira.

Do I need a car?

Not strictly for the coastal towns, which are linked by the Algarve railway line and buses, but a car adds real flexibility for the western capes, the Serra de Monchique and smaller beaches.

When is the best time to visit?

April, May, September and October offer warm, sunny weather without peak-season crowds and prices. July and August are hottest and busiest, when the region's population triples.

Is the Algarve expensive?

Moderately priced outside peak summer, cheaper than Lisbon in the off-season; the developed resort coast around Albufeira runs higher, especially in July and August.

Do I need a visa?

Visitors from outside the Schengen area can generally enter visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; requirements differ for longer stays or work, so check before travelling.