Visit the end of the world

 

That the "end of the world" can be so beautiful may come as a surprise. Cabo de São Vicente stuns with sparse elegance. © Shutterstock

 

Together with the neighboring Ponta de Sagres, Cabo de São Vicente forms the southwestern point of mainland Europe. In the past, this place was also thought to be "the end of the world." A lighthouse, supposedly the most luminous in Europe, lights the way for ships sailing the Atlantic. The cape isn't just geographically interesting, it's also a historical gem: four major naval battles once took place here.

 

Plunge into the floods

 

The Algarve is a world-famous mecca for surfers that boasts optimal conditions year-round. © Shutterstock

 

The coastline between Aljezur and Faro is considered one of the best surf spots in the world, where you can find a suitable spot to surf all year long. Due to pleasant temperatures, thin neoprene will suffice and you won't need gloves, even between October and April. In winter, pros take advantage of the storms from the Atlantic on the west coast, while rookies are in good hands in the south.

 

Relax on the beach

 

Surely you've seen this spot before: the cave of Benagil is a popular Instagram and postcard motif. © Shutterstock

 

If you only want to go to the beach to relax or take a dip in the sea, you should put the seven-kilometer-long sandy beach of Alvor on your Algarve bucket list. Spectacular rocks line the sandy section and there's fantastic spots for snorkeling as well. Praia do Camilo scores with a picturesque restaurant a mere 100 steps away from the coves, which are connected by small tunnels in the rocks. But our favorite spot is the beach of Benagil in Lagoa. At low tide, you can enter the world-famous cave, known from countless photographs.

 

Eat Cataplana

 

You can find the "national dish" at almost every restaurant. The exact recipes are well-kept secrets, of course. © Shutterstock

 

What better food to enjoy by the seaside than seafood? A typical dish in the Algarve is cataplana, a kind of stew. The base is usually a sauce of tomatoes, wine, garlic and often potatoes. In addition to clams, ingredients often include shrimp, white fish and pork. 

 

Hike the hinterland

 

Extensive hiking trails with numerous viewpoints cross the mountain range on the south coast of the Algarve. © Shutterstock

 

Away from the beach and water, the Algarve's hinterland also offers plenty of opportunities to get active. In the Serra da Monchique, the mountain range in the south of the region, for example, mountain bikers and hikers get their money's worth as they explore small villages and the peaks of Foia and Picota. 

 

Bathe in thermal water

 

About 30 minutes further west, the small town of Aljezur beckons with picturesque houses and numerous beautiful beaches along the coast. © Shutterstock

 

Since Roman times, the thermal springs of Caldas de Monchique have been a popular place for those seeking relaxation. The warm thermal water that springs there is said to have, among other things, a rejuvenating effect. The alkaline and fluoride water is bottled throughout Portugal. At the Monchique Termal Resort you can also bathe in it.

 

Stay at a Pousada

The 16th-century monastery is a unique accommodation in the historic center of Tavira. © Shutterstock

 

In addition to numerous first-class hotels, Portugal is home to traditional pousadas. The word means "hostel" or "inn" and serves as a quality label of sorts. Pousadas are located in beautiful locations, in historic buildings, or in unusual places. Six of the 34 pousadas in Portugal are located in the Algarve. Among them the Pousada Convento de Tavira, a monastery from the 16th century.

 

Discover authentic villages

 

The Mercado Municipal in Loulé, which opened in 1908, is the best place to go for freshly caught fish. © Shutterstock

 

Numerous small fishing villages and towns invite you to follow in the footsteps of the seafarers who once settled the Algarve. In the small town of Loulé, about a half-hour north of Faro, you can shop at the Mercado Municipal, a pink-and-white building with Arabian flair built in 1908. In Estoi, on the eastern Algarve, admire the beautiful Palácio Estoi. To the west, Silves beckons with historical sights. These include the medieval fortress Castelo de Silves.

 

Buy souvenirs

 

Ceramics are part of the Portuguese identity. Many houses are covered in them all over. © Shutterstock

 

Typical for Portugal are the magnificently tiled buildings and churches. The Algarve is no exception. What could be a better souvenir than a ceramic memento or two? One of the most popular stores is Porches Pottery in Lagoa. Here you can watch the painting process and buy beautiful ceramic plates, bowls, cups and decorative pieces for your home.

 

Play golf

 

Tee off on the coast, between the sky and the sea: the golf clubs in the Algarve are not stingy with scenic attractions. © Shutterstock

 

The Algarve is veritable a "paraíso" for golfers. In addition to some of the best courses in Europe, the infrastructure includes first-class golf hotels. Especially in winter, the greens designed by famous golf architects are a favorite place for demanding players. The best golf courses in the Algarve are the Monte Rei Golf & Country Club, the Quinta do Lago Golf Course and Vale do Lobo.