Albufeira

Set on the Atlantic south coast of the Algarve and fronting the eastern end of the town of Albufeira close to the Old Town, Praia dos Pescadores, or Fishermans Beach, is a busy spot for locals to bask in the sun, sand, and surf. Along with watersports and paragliding, the area also features a several seafood restaurants and lively bars as well as Largo Cais Herculano square, and an amphitheater that hosts live music concerts and other festive events such as the big celebration on New Year’s Eve. A striking cliff separates Praia dos Pescadores from the other main beach, Praia do Tunel, on the western end. As for access, beachgoers can either take the outdoor escalator situated adjacent to the Pau da Bandeira Bluff or walk from 5 de Outubro Street.

Largo 25 de Abril, Albufeira, Portugal

Framed by incredible red and orange cliffs pine trees and pretty flowers, Praia da Falesia is a stunning beach known for its breathtaking scenery, soft sand, and crystal clear waters. Spanning nearly four miles from Vilamoura in the east to Olhos de Água in the west, the “Beach of Cliffs” has the distinction of being one of the best beaches in the Algarve. Along with the natural beauty, there are several things for people to do from hiking the trail above to enjoy water sports and unwinding at one of the nearby bars and restaurants.

Rua da Falésia Mar, 8200-593 Olhos de Água, Portugal

A little more than a 20-minute drive from Albufeira, in Caramujeira in Lagoa, Praia da Marinha, or “Navy Beach,” offers an idyllic location for enjoying the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Natural splendor is abundant here with soaring cliffs and a stunning rock formation known as M, because of its shape. However, it stands out even more, because when it meets a specific section of the cliff, it forms a heart shape. Along with building sandcastles, visitors might also want to bring their snorkeling gear to see the beautiful fish swimming in the crystal clear waters. More active types can head to the scenic hiking trail, located above the beach, which connects to other areas, such as Senhora da Rocha. As for food, there is only one restaurant in the immediate vicinity so it is important to keep that in mind. This is the only beach that is not accessible directly from the town and must be reached by car.

Caramujeira, Lagoa, Algarve, Portugal

If you are traveling with kids:

Fun for the entire family awaits at Zoomarine Algarve, a popular theme park with zoological presentations, kid-friendly rides and tasty food for your amusement. Animal lovers will not want to miss attractions such as Habitat Americas or Oceans Aquarium, or one of the entertaining shows featuring dolphins, seals, and colorful birds. Thrills are in store when you take a spin on the Pirate Ship, while classics such as the Carousel and Ferris Wheel are always a hit for everyone. For those who want to play around in the water, Zoomarine Beach is the best bet, although Jurassic River is also entertaining with its fast rapids and dinosaurs lurking around.

N124 KM 65, 8201-864 Guia, Portugal, Phone: +35-12-89-56-03-00

Aqualand Algarve is all about making a splash all day long with super fun adrenaline-rushing attractions. From Hydra to Crazy Leap or Kamikaze, which happens to be the highest in all of Portugal, there is a water slide for everyone or guests can just float the day away in their inner tube on the Congo River. Every experience here is essentially in the water including Surf Beach with its wave pool, Children’s Paradise, and Rainbow Park, which is perfect for the little ones with its mini slides, giant crayons, and shallow areas.

Estrada Nacional 125 - Sítio das Areias, 8365-908, Alcantarilha, Portugal, Phone: +35-12-82-32-02-30

Curious history buffs who want to delve into the ancient past will want to spend time at the Roman Ruins of Cerro da Vila . Believed to date back to the third century, archaeological evidence reveals that it had occupants during the periods of occupation by the Romans, Visigoths, and Arabs. Visitors to the site, which is located close to Vilamoura will see remnants of what once were a villa, bathhouses, fish salting stations and a necropolis that featured only recently discovered burial tombs and mausoleums.

Av. Cerro da Vila, 8125-507 Quarteira, Portugal, Phone: +35-12-89-31-21-53

Set along the Quarteira River a little more than five miles from Albufeira, Castelo de Paderne, also known as Almóada Castle was built in the late 12th century by the Berbers. Today, the fortification is represented as one of the castles on the flag of Portugal. Over the years, the reddish brown-hued structure served as a military outpost and administrative center, and was controlled by the Romans and then the Moors before it was restored to the Portuguese crown in 1248. As a result of its decline, the castle was abandoned in 1858. It was not until 1998, that it was purchased and not until 2002 that a local organization announced the intent to reconstruct what was left. Today, many parts of the castle no longer remain such as the chapel with only its walls still standing as well as the entrance gate.

Portugal