Surfing

Depending on your level of expertise there are a number of different places to surf in the Algarve. The west coast in particular offers powerful Atlantic tides which can keep the best surfers busy for hours. Sagres (30 mins drive from Lagos) in particular offers a great beach which is popular for expert surfers. Here on the southwest corner of Europe the Atlantic meets the mouth of the Mediterranean and from the historical fort at Sagres the waves can be seen crashing the beach on the western coast whilst at the same time the calm sea on the southern coast can be observed.

Boat Trips

Boat trips offer panoramic views of the coasts . Ria Formosa estuary, the Ponta da Piedade caves near Lagos, or a ride along the coast are all attractive for day trips or hourly trips at sea. From Vilamoura Marina it is possible to embark upon a day-long excursion along the coast, stopping off at remote beaches to grill a few sardines or enjoy a spot of diving.

One great attraction of Lagos is the caves that the sea has carved out of the Ponta da Piedade cliff face. The erosive effects of the wind have also served to create strange shapes in the cliffs, to which the local inhabitants give special names and about which many stories are told.
For those looking for some adventure and action, there are boats departing from the marinas of Lagos, Portimão and Vilamoura, heading out into the high seas for sea sports fishing in search of swordfish, croakers and other species.

Sailing

The Algarve is an idylic location for sailing. The calm seas and gentle breezes contribute to the perfect sailing experience. Major international regattas are hosted in the region, such as the Algarve International Sailing Tournament, which takes place in Vilamoura every year in February. The Algarve also hosts the ABN AMRO team, which competes in the Volvo Ocean Race and recently baptised the first of its new Volvo 70 class of yachts in Portimão Marina.
There are sailing clubs and schools at Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Loulé, Olhão, Portimão, Quarteira, Tavira, Vila Real de Santo António and Vilamoura. Many clubs also rent out yachts and boats. Short excursions can be booked in most of the Marinas where you can usually sit back and relax and enjoy the sailing. Many of these boats provide meals or refreshments.
 

Fishing

The Algarve is world famous for fish. Traditional brightly-coloured fishing boats can still be seen in many harbours. The water around the Sagres Peninsula is among the best in Europe for the fishing of various species including Blue Shark, Hake, Swordfish, Tuna, White Bream and Croaker. Sagres is only 30 mins drive from Lagos.
Lagos in particular is a great hub of fishing activity, for it is easy to rent boats here, either by the day or half day, complete with fishing chairs and all the respective equipment.
Another sport common to the Algarve is underwater spear fishing. Taking you down into contact with nature at its most spectacular, with all the fascination of these special underwater environments, this activity is in itself a wonderful means of releasing stress and achieving a harmonious state of mind. Loulé and Portimão are important centres in the Algarve for this type of fishing, and there are even professional companies here with a range of infrastructures and services on offer.

Diving in the Algarve

The Atlantic Ocean is packed full of life. Species live concealed among rocks and crevices, or swoop across open plains of sand. Dive in the company of starfish, cuttlefish in search of hideaways, crabs, octopuses, congers, morays and lobsters.
The Algarve offers excellent diving conditions at various locations, whatever the level of the diver's experience.

On the rocky stretch of coast at Ponta da Piedade near Lagos, the sun reaches down into these crystal-clear waters, throwing out shadows from the underwater cliffs to contrast with the greens of the water. And a simple mask, snorkel and the essential flippers are all you need to discover everything that is happening off the beaches of Carvalhos or Centeanes, in Lagoa.
Covering the full extent of this region, in Albufeira, Armação de Pêra, Faro, Lagoa, Lagos, Portimão, Quarteira, Sagres and Vila do Bispo, there are companies providing diving courses and services. A whole range of different options allowing you to discover the Algarve in all its many different facets.

 

ACTIVITIES in the Algarve

The Algarve presents excellent weather conditions all year round. Just about any activity can be enjoyed 365 days a year. The variety of natural environments offer the opportunity for a healthy and invigorating holiday in the Algarve.
The coastline, the cliffs and their caves, bays and beaches, the rivers and canals, the low-lying pasturelands and picturesque hills offer a wide range of pleasure and activities.

Mountain Biking

There are plenty of trails and tracks in the hills North West of Lagos. Try pedaling to the town of Bordeiera through the hills. Tucked away in the valleys among the cork trees and cattle pastures you will discover many a small peaceful village where you can sit and relax in the sun for a well earned rest and refreshments at the cafe.  A mountain bike ride over the hills of the Serra de Tavira (20 mins drive from Lagos) or along the salt flats and marshes of the Ria Formosa, with only flamingos for company, are experiences that no lover of nature sports should miss out on. Sparsely populated, the Serra de Tavira has a number of attractions for mountain bikers. Dry and furrowed slopes have been cut out by seasonal streams and, with the former settlers of this region now having moved on, this area is given over to those who are attracted by this wild, natural landscape and the challenges it poses.
In the foothills of the Serra, the richer and more fertile soils have been given over to fruit orchards that stretch out in front of you and leave their distinctive mark on the landscape.
Higher up in the hills, almond trees, proving hardy enough to survive in the stony schist soils with a scarce amount of water, and rockroses provide the meagre shade in these parts. Thus, despite the fact that the relatively gentle landscape here ensures that you will make fairly easy progress, always make sure that you are carrying plenty of water with you.
When you finally reach the top of these modest mountains, the view awaiting you is quite stunning, with the undulating slopes stretching out in front of you to the inevitable backdrop of the sea.
Should you take the Ria route, past salt-pans and marshes, be sure to coincide with the sunset, which provides a further dimension to the beauty of the natural environment here. The low-lying vegetation, the pinkish hues of the sunset and the silhouettes cast by the flamingos, storks and herons form a particularly striking picture that in itself will serve to justify a return visit to this part of the Algarve with all its rich natural heritage.

Golf

The Algarve is of course most famous for its golf courses.

Within 3km of Lagos are two golf courses. The Parlmares Golf Course is said to be the jewel in the crown of the Algarve. Many tourists make it a must on their Algarve golf tour. A beautiful location, near to the historic city of Lagos, commanding magnificent views of the bay of Lagos and the distant Monchique hills. The Boa Vista Golf Course is similarly placed and is only five minutes from the beach of Luz if your companions prefer.


 

Long Walks
Taking to the footpaths ranging across the varying landscapes of this region is a fine way to discover its charms and take in its unique natural surroundings. Here, you can immerse yourself in all of the calm of the countryside, while filling your lungs with its pure airs and your soul with tranquillity. The Trilhos da Bordeira are, for example, the perfect paths for the most calming of walks either along tacks by the side of beach or following trails leading off up into the mountains. Walking over Bordeira beach provides the opportunity to observe the majestic swoop of the osprey in full flight or watch otters at play along the banks of the Aljezur river, while, at the same time, breathing in the salt airs and the aromas of wild herbs, rockroses, gorse and rosemary. Such wonderful sensations can be experienced all year round and will undoubtedly reveal a very different facet of the Algarve. Another particularly attractive path follows the valley of the Cercas river through the hills of the Serra de Monchique, surrounded by imposing rocks over which a number of streams gently cascade. Another great option is to set off from the town of Monchique up to the peak of the Fóia mountain, along forest paths, following the contours of the hillsides, walking past centuries-old chestnut-trees, oak-trees, eucalyptus and pine-trees which, at higher altitudes, gradually give way to low-lying vegetation. Equally exotic in aspect are the paths running along the coastline by the Martinhal beach at Vila do Bispo, taking you past other small beaches that manage to remain practically deserted even at the height of summer.

Caving

Beneath our feet there is an enchanting world, immersed in mysterious obscurity.

Rock Climbing

Being an activity that is undertaken in complete harmony with nature, rock climbing is a sport that involves the careful use of both body and mind.

A balloon ride

Flying through the skies in a large brightly-coloured balloon is nowadays a much more accessible activity than many people have ever dared to dream of.

Paragliding

The excitement of your first flight is perhaps the greatest of all emotions, or at least the one that you will never forget.

Absailing and Aerial Slides

Descending into inhospitable places, which would be impossible to reach without resorting to different techniques...

Donkey Rides

Having been the traditional means of transport for the inhabitants of the Algarve only a few decades ago, donkeys are today a special tourist attraction in the region, offering the chance to enjoy some pleasant rides through the mountains, valleys and rivers to all those wishing to remember the past and explore the beautiful Algarve landscape. It is a special privilege that combines contact with the open air with the more intimate knowledge of an animal that is unfortunately on its way to extinction.

 

A WELCOMING ALGARVE AWAITS