Faro
If you arrive by plane you most likely land in Faro, which is the largest city in Algarve and dates back to the Roman times. This port city is really quiet. You can wander on the cobblestone streets or in the old town and explore its hidden treasures.
Igreja do Carmo, Faro
The Igreja do Carmo in Faro, with its Baroque façade and twin bell towers is one of the finest churches on the Algarve. This church is quite different from the others, because at the rear of the curch is a Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones). The walls are covered in the skulls and bones of over 1,000 Carmelite monks as a reminder of how transient our lives on this Earth are.
Lagos
However Faro is not the most popular destination in Algarve. The main reason it does not have direct deaches. The few ones are on the surrounding islands and peninsulas, so tourists head to more popular resort towns, like Lagos.
Lagos was not only an important trade link between Africa and the Mediterranean Sea, but also the center of the late medieval slave trade. The once significant and rich port city was almost completely wiped off the face of the earth by the massive earthquake and tsunami in 1755. I talked about this in my post about Lisbon. So the city is not famous for its architecture, rather its natural beauty.
Top 5 Beaches
Between the limestone cliffs hide Sevaral small golden sand beaches and grottos. Here are the best ones.
Meia Praia stretches for about 4,5 kilometres and is the biggest beach of Lagos. You will find a free spot here for sure!
An other popular one is the Praia dos Estudantes which is a small beach devided into two parts by a giant rock and is famous for its Roman style bridge.
Ponta da Piedade, the Point of Mercy is a headland with a group of rock formations along the coastline. You can reach it following a footpath or as part of a boat tour. Either way the golden cliffs against the turquoise sea provide a beautiful view.
Praia do Camilo is a secluded, picture perfect beach. To get to the beach you have to walk down about 200 stairs. Definitely worth the view, but don’t forget, you also have to climb up.
Algar de Benagil is a grotto, a natural cavity close to the Benagil Beach and can be accessed only by water.
Sagres
I also drove to Sagres and the Cape of St. Vincent Which is the most southwestern point of Europe. For centuries, it was believed to be the western end of the world. This was the last piece of land that explorers would see before they would set sail for the unknown.
