From Monte Gordo to Faro: Exploring the Gems of Algarve’s Southern Coast
Portugal is a fantastic place to visit at any time of the year. Particularly during the summer, millions of visitors from all over Europe flock to the southern coast. The Algarve, which has about 300 km of coastline and some of the most beautiful beaches in the nation, as well as charming towns and a hilly hinterland where you can go hiking in the outdoors, is one of the most popular and well-liked regions in the nation.
Algarve: what to see?
Below is a suggested itinerary for a relaxing trip between spring and summer that visits some of the Algarve’s most stunning beaches and seaside resorts. These locations undoubtedly lose a lot of their appeal in August due to the crowds, but those who visit during the other months can undoubtedly take in all of their beauty.
From Monte Gordo to Tavira
Let’s begin at the Spanish border. Be cautious when crossing the border on the Guadiana River if you are traveling by car because Portugal has a different time zone than Spain (-1 Now).
In any case, the first stop is Monte Gordo. The area is not particularly picturesque (it has a lot of tower blocks and tourist homes, some of which are true eco-monsters), but it is known for its enormous white sand beach, which stretches for tens of kilometers from the Guadiana estuary to the other towns further west along the coast, occasionally being interrupted by the mouth of a small river or by marshes.
Along the beach are the communities of Monte Gordo, Altura, Manta Rota, and Vila Nova de Cacela. However, after spending a day or more here, it is time to travel a few more kilometers to reach Cabanas and Tavira.
While the beaches are on the islands in front of the marshy area and are only accessible by very short boat trips lasting a few minutes, both towns are situated on the mainland. Some of the most stunning and well-known beaches in Portugal are Praia da Ilha de Cabanas and Praia do Barril (both on the Ilha de Tavira).
The southern tip: Olho and Faro
Add the town of Olho by simply traveling a few more kilometers to the west. Additionally, in this region, the beaches are not directly on the town’s seafront but rather require a boat to access the beautiful beaches overlooking the open sea due to the presence of sandbanks along the coast.
The island in front of Olho is called Ilha da Armona, and it has lodgings, homes, and dining establishments. It is a very well-liked tourist destination, and the natural show there is really something special.
It’s also worthwhile to visit the city on the main land. Nearly 50,000 people call Olho home, and fishermen who lived nearby in the 17th century founded it. The buildings in the Bairro dos Pescadores neighborhood, which is still home to the beating heart of the local economy, are predominately white.
Olho is 10 kilometers away from Faro, the Algarve’s capital city, which is also well-known for its international airport, which is a hub for low-cost flights and serves as a point of entry for air travelers.
With over 60,000 residents, Faro is a really pleasant place to visit. The old city (Cidade Velha), which is enclosed by old Arab walls and features the typical maze of winding cobblestone streets with the city’s main tourist attractions like the Arco da Vila, the Sé (the cathedral), and a few museums, is worth a visit if only to experience the calm and relaxed atmosphere of a place that is frequently ignored by tourists.
The Praia de Faro is the closest beach, located nearly 10 km outside of the historic district and just past the airport, but those seeking the sea and beaches here must leave the city center. Alternatively, a boat is required to cross the lagoon of the Parque Natural da Ria Formosa and arrive at the Ilha da Culatra, home to the stunning Praia do Farol, or the nearby Ilha da Barreta (also known as Ilha Deserta), where you can experience the island’s complete solitude.
A visit to Loulé and a dive in Quarteira
The massive beaches of the Algarve continue unbroken in the direction of Albufeira. The only thing dividing the length of the southern Portuguese coast is the port of Quarteira. The beaches tend to be undeveloped and wild, swept by the Atlantic winds that build up sand on the dunes behind the shore, with the exception of the Praia da Quarteira (in the city of Quarteira, which has a solely touristic vocation). We also advise taking a detour to nearby Loulé (12 km) to see its charming old town and the castle ruins of the Moors if you decide to stop in the city to enjoy the beach.
Albufeira: A Tale of Tourist Transformation, Stunning Beaches, and Urban Intrusion
The Algarve’s central coast is the region that is most heavily exploited by tourists. When arriving in Albufeira, one quickly realizes that not much of the once-ancient fishing village is left. The city is now devoted to mass tourism, with all the benefits and drawbacks that this entails: on the one hand, there is no shortage of hotels; on the other hand, urbanization has been too intrusive, and the atmosphere is decidedly chaotic during the summer. Despite this, it cannot be denied that its beaches are honestly among the most beautiful in the Algarve: Praia da Falésia (10 km east of the center), Praia do Peneco and Praia dos Pescadores (the central beaches of the city), Praia da Oura, Praia Olhos de Agua, and Praia da Balaia (in the east area), while west of the center we point out the splendid Praia da Galé, Praia dos Arrifes, Praia de So Rafael, and Praia do Castelo.
Towards Portimao
Silves, a town in the hinterland with a medieval feel where the red brick walls of its stunning castle dominate the city between the hills, is worth a detour before arriving at the city and beaches of Portimo.
